The Standard | MERRIVALE spearhead Jet Dowie is resisting the temptation to don Warrnambool and District colours for its interleague showdown this weekend.
Dowie booted a season-high 14 goals in the Tigers’ 201-point annihilation of Timboon Demons at Merrivale Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The premiership player had pulled out of the interleague squad in a bid to preserve his body, with memories of a serious knee injury fresh in his mind.
The prospect of making himself available loomed large after his match-winning heroics. But Dowie will instead use the weekend to freshen up.
“It would be good but it’s self-management more than anything, and it’s a week off I can spend with my partner and newborn child,” he said.
Dowie and partner Kristy Trotman are parents to 10-week-old Noah, a life-changing milestone which has given the Tiger a distraction from football.
“I’ve never been one for that footy-minded lifestyle, I’ve always had that good balance. But it definitely puts things into perspective once I’m home and see them.”
Merrivale was untroubled throughout its demolition of Timboon Demons, turning a 64-point half-time advantage into a 37.12 (234) to 5.3 (33) triumph.
The last quarter was particularly one-way traffic — 14.1 to 0.2. The Tigers’ percentage is a whopping 368.48, narrowly ahead of Allansford.
Lachlan Kelly and James Kelly kicked five goals each and were among their best, along with Dowie, recruit Gareth Crawford, Seamus Blake and Sam Gleeson.
Paul Vogels was the Demons’ only multiple goalkicker. Hickey brothers Marcus and Brendan were their best on a forgettable day.
Dowie said he was relishing the fitness benefits of having a pre-season under his belt. He has dropped eight kilograms in his second season with the Tigers.
He said the win on Saturday represented a turning point. The Tigers have hit their straps since being belted in the wet against Dennington in round three.
“Yesterday we turned the corner with our intensity for the four quarters, which is what’s been missing over the start of the season,” Dowie said.
Elsewhere, Kolora-Noorat lifted itself into the top five thanks to a comfortable 21.11 (137) to 8.9 (57) defeat of South Rovers at Walter Oval.
Paul McSween kicked five goals and Joe Conheady was prolific in the midfield as the visitors turned a 28-point lead at half-time into a big win.
Power coach Danny Finn praised his back six and onball unit for setting up the win. Mitch Elford had the job on Mark Murphy and limited him to two goals.
Young onballers Ben Reid and Luke Tebble also impressed while Jake Richardson was the standout big man on the ground.
“The back six kick-
started our day and then the midfield, those young guys like Ben Reid and Luke Tebble, complemented our more experienced players,” Finn said.
Finn was also pleased with the pressure his men applied throughout the four quarters. The final term yielded 7.2 to 2.3.
“We were able to pressure nearly all of South Rovers’ ball movements. That can take its toll on the opposition if you can keep doing it,” he said.
“We kept working really hard for the whole four quarters. It was a really pleasing sign to finish off a game like that. We haven’t done it this year convincingly.”
Assistant coach Mark Clissold recovered from a finger injury to take his place in the side, lasting three quarters before being subbed off.
In the other match, Dennington was a comfortable victor against Deakin University 31.14 (200) to 4.4 (28) at Dennington Recreation Reserve.
Justin Wallace kicked 10 goals and was dominant early while Josh Lock earned best-afield honours. James Crawford (two goals) was the Sharks’ best.
