Border Mail |
PREMIERSHIP contender Holbrook extended its recent dominance over fierce rival Culcairn with a tenacious 28-point victory at Culcairn on Saturday.
The Brookers went into the clash under-manned, missing prime mover Brent Doswell (hamstring tightness), Lachie Trethowan (shoulder) and Tom Breen (kneecap).
The visitors also decided to take a cautious approach after quarter time and rest versatile big man Brad Thompson who also was suffering from hamstring tightness in the slippery conditions.
It mattered little as Holbrook had 11 scoring shots to one in the opening quarter on its way to a 5.14 (44) to 2.4 (16) victory.
Livewire Jim Grills thrived in the wet conditions while Hayden Hibberson was productive around the packs.
Sam Nichols, Stewart Williams, Tom Keogh and coach Jarrod Twitt were also lively.
It was the Brookers’ first victory in five weeks after they scored their last win against Howlong in round 3.
Culcairn is anchored to the bottom of the ladder after starting the season with eight consecutive losses.
In a dirty day for the Lions, the reserves, thirds and fourths failed to score against their fierce rival.
Twitt was still relieved to secure the four points despite Culcairn enduring a winless season.
“The rivalry between the two towns is always huge regardless of ladder positions,” Twitt said.
“With the rivalry as well as the tough conditions it was always going to be a slog.
“So we were really happy to emerge with the points and it was one of our better team efforts to get the job done.”
The Brookers are clinging on to sixth spot on the ladder with a 4-3 record but can consolidate their spot with matches against Rand-Walbundrie, Walla, CDHBU, Murray Magpies and Billabong Crows.
Twitt said there was plenty of upside to the Brookers in the countdown to the finals.
“The three games we lost we were certainly in winning positions in all of them,” he said.
“We have lost three-quarters for the whole year, but two losses were by less than two goals and the other was against Henty and was just over three goals.”
Twitt also expected boom recruit Doswell to have a big impact at the business end of the season.
“Dossie has had a crook back all year and hamstring tightness, so that’s why we rested him on the weekend,” Twitt said.
“He is still adapting to the change in competition.
“When he starts playing to his potential we are going to be a lot more dangerous side.
“Dossie’s best footy is going to be in the second-half of the season when it counts.”
In other matches, Brock-Burrum took until the final-quarter to shake off by CDHBU’s challenge by 38-points.
Lockhart signalled the end of Billabong Crows’ finals hopes with a 36-point win at Urana.
