The Standard | A TIM McIntyre-inspired Warrnambool stormed home against South Warrnambool at Reid Oval yesterday.
McIntyre finished with five goals as the Blues made it two straight wins to start the Hampden league season.
Warrnambool slotted 11 goals to two in the second half to run out winners, 20.20 (140) to 6.10 (46).
Blues coach Scott Carter, who lauded unheralded defender Brad Bull for his sweeping efforts across half back, said the Roosters’ endeavour was admirable.
“Full credit to South Warrnambool in the first half,” he said.
“They are young and enthusiastic and ran well and their pressure skills were quite good and so were their stoppages.”
South Warrnambool coach Nigel Kol said the Roosters tried hard but struggled for rotations after losing Harry Lee (broken arm) and Jock Blair (ankle) before half-time.
“I thought most of our blokes really brought effort but their experience and bigger bodies got them home,” he said.
“They have seasoned campaigners and they stood up when they needed them.”
Hamilton Kangaroos skipper Hamish Waldron is just happy to be back playing footy after missing the last seven games of 2014 with a broken hand.
The star midfielder inspired his young team to a two-goal win over Portland in the Anzac Day match at Melville Oval.
Waldron received the Ted Kenna VC Medal for the best player on the ground, with his efforts including a clutch goal that iced the Kangaroos’ first win of the season.
The 27-year-old said he and his fellow midfielders had to work hard after they lost key ball-winner Brendan Huf with a wrist injury early in the first quarter.
“We had one go down from our midfield rotations so that made the win even better,” Waldron said after the 9.6 (60) to 5.18 (48) result.
He said he was honoured to receive the medal, especially after being sidelined for so long last season.
He had a plate and five screws inserted in his metacarpal bone after it was broken when a teammate accidentally stood on his hand. “It was good to get the win, especially for a lot of the younger ones,” he said.
“It gives them a bit more confidence.”
Huf had X-rays on his wrist but has been cleared of a break. Waldron said he was in doubt for Sunday’s home game against Port Fairy.
The Kangaroos also had talented youngster Tom Feely taken to hospital with concussion after a heavy knock in the last 90 seconds of the game.
Portland coach Luke Crane lamented his side’s inability to kick accurately for goal after it had more centre clearances, inside forward 50 entries and scoring shots yet failed to win.
“Our lack of polish, we just couldn’t finish,” he said.
“I don’t know how to feel about it. We know we are there (in the contest), we are just lacking a bit of polish. Our forward line movement isn’t quite there and we are not getting the bit of separation from their defenders. They got a bit of separation and took easy marks.”
Crane said the absence of key forward Beau Bentley had hurt his side in attack. He was pleased with his side’s ability to win the footy, having a majority of the play.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
