Warrandyte falters at the first hurdle

by Josh Huntly
11th April 2018

THE BLOODS failed to find a win in the first round of the 2018 season but showed promising signs across the board in front of a sizeable home crowd.

photo courtesy of Warrandyte Football Club Facebook page

Under 19s

 The 19s kicked off the 2018 season with a tough loss, fielding an inexperienced side with a number of Under 17s filling in and playing with 16 on the ground.

The game began on an even keel, with Warrandyte trailing by just two goals against a fast-starting Basin side.

The young Bloods were eager for the contest and were silky in various passages of play.

Numbers would be telling in the contest however as the Bears pulled away to hold a five-goal lead at half time.

There were promising signs throughout the quarter, often showing quick hands around the contest and hitting targets around the ground.

Jake Trewella and David Wilson continued to battle it out in the midfield but the full-strength Basin side turned on the afterburners in the last half to run out 10-goal winners. The 19s will be better for the run and with players to return this week, they’ll hope to rebound against Donvale this coming weekend.

Callum Padfield presented well up forward for his two goals while Mackenzie Smead was often a strong option down the line.

 Warrandyte 8.3-51 def by The Basin 17.9-111

 Best: Jake Trewella, Mackenzie Smead, Darcy Poole, David Wilson

Goals: Callum Padfield 2, Darcy Poole, Tyson Sproule-Carrol

 

Reserves

The Reserves blitzed their opponents early, slotting the first four goals of the game in what would be a bruising encounter against a big bodied Basin side.

An experienced Bloods outfit displayed strong clearance work out of the middle and slick ball movement to take the lead within the first minute with Bailey Campbell opening Warrandyte’s account for 2018.

Goals to Sid Phillip-Owen and debutant Brendan Ludbrook saw them skip out to a 16-point lead at the first change.

The Bears eventually came out of hibernation after the break, trimming the margin with three quick goals to start the second term. The experienced heads of Tim Beasley and Mat Munro toiled away in the midfield and Lochlan Ruck converted a crucial set shot on the siren to hold a slender one-point lead.

Overusing the ball would be the Bloods downfall after half time.

New skipper Trent Parker tried hard as did Drew Corke who tried to inject some controlled ball movement off half back.

Ultimately, sloppy skills set the tone for the rest of the game and Basin eventually ran out 32-point victors.

 Warrandyte 7.5-47 def by The Basin 12.7-79

 Best: Sid Phillip-Owen, Tim Beasley, Lochlan Ruck, Mat Munro, Luke Brewis, Drew Corke.

Goals: Trent Parker 2, Sid Phillip-Owen 2, Brendan Ludbrook, Lochlan Ruck, Bailey Campbell

 

Seniors

 The Senior squad were eager to start their season on a positive note and if their first goal was any indicator of their intentions in Division Three, fans could be set for an entertaining year.

The first clearance of the game found its way into the Bloods forward fifty and into the hands of Nikoda Brooking.

Right on fifty and pushed up to the boundary, Brooking converted the difficult chance in front of a strong home crowd and the Seniors were off the mark.

It was a tight tussle in the first quarter as both teams struggled to gain the ascendancy early. New recruit Mitch Buckley was strong early, imposing himself on the contest in tandem with Zach Ballard.

The Bears kicked quick goals however to take a 17-point lead into quarter time.

The Bloods put on a strong performance in the second term as they executed quick passages of play to catch The Basin napping in defence.

Goals to Jordan Powell, Josh Beasley, Michael Cullum and another to Brooking saw a swift turnaround in fortunes and at half-time Anthony McGregor’s men held a one goal advantage.

Max Jaffrey was dealt a cruel blow after he broke his finger in the second quarter.

The promising young player is set for an extended period on the sidelines.

The third quarter was an enthralling one to watch. Lewis Oliver stood tall in defence and Ruckmen Andrew Briffa and Taylor Hayton worked well together.

Brooking continued to find the ball and the goals, adding another to his tally late in the quarter.

Both teams went goal for goal and at the final change it was a one-point game.

With everything to play for leading into the last quarter, McGregor implored his players to banish the demons of 2017 and finish strongly.

Those hopes evaporated when the Bears slammed home seven goals, overrunning the Bloods in the last.

Vice-Captain Michael Cullum scored a late consolation goal but it wasn’t to be on the opening day of Warrandyte’s season, The Basin running out 29-point winners.

Nikoda Brooking was named Warrandyte’s best for his three-goal performance.

Warrandyte 10.4-64 def by The Basin 14.9-93

Best: Nikoda Brooking, Josh Beasley, Lewis Oliver, Andrew Briffa, Scott Ternes, Toby Versteegen

Goals: Nikoda Brooking 3, Michael Cullum 2, Josh Beasley 2, Jordan Powell, Mitch Buckley, Luke Dunn

 

Warrandyte plays Donvale at Donvale Reserve on April 14.