General News
19 September, 2024
Alford exit seals Panther path to hat-trick
By GARY WALSH AFTER the ugly scenes at quarter-time of the Loddon Valley grand final, the second term began with Pyramid Hill holding a one-goal lead over Marong after failing to take advantage of the fierce wind. Although the gale was blowing...
By GARY WALSH
AFTER the ugly scenes at quarter-time of the Loddon Valley grand final, the second term began with Pyramid Hill holding a one-goal lead over Marong after failing to take advantage of the fierce wind.
Although the gale was blowing mostly across the ground at Mitiamo, it was clearly easier to kick goals to the eastern end.
The Bulldogs needed to hold fast, but in a stunning moment early in the second quarter the grand final was turned on its head.
Pyramid Hill full-forward Zach Alford, who had been at the heart of the melee at the first break, was given a yellow card and sent off following an altercation with Marong ruckman Michael Bradbury on the Panthers’ forward line.
Marong goaled from the subsequent free kick and 50-metre penalty after Alford – with a bloodied cheek and right hand – left the field, and went on to kick four successive majors while the Bulldogs were down to 17 players.
The sending off decided the outcome of the game.
Eight goals for the day were enough for Marong to win by 36 points and those four goals in the second quarter proved pivotal.
The incident crushed Pyramid Hill’s dreams of a first flag in 74 years and helped Marong on its way to a third successive premiership under coach Linton Jacobs.
The wind played a huge role on the day. High kicks into the teeth of the gale dropped vertically or even blew backwards, and countless kicks on the road wing of the ground sailed out of bounds as players misjudged the conditions.
Skill was at a premium, and two players stood out.
The Bulldogs would have lost by much more if not for the exceptional intercept marking of key defender Tom McGregor, who played as if there was barely a zephyr of a breeze. Along with his marking, he was one of very few who used the ball well.
Marong’s diminutive midfielder Jimmy Gadsden won the medal for best afield.
He was everywhere, with his strong tackling and endless run a feature in a match where hard-at-the-ball rather than hard-at-the-man proved a better tactic.
After half-time, when the Panthers led by 20 points, Pyramid Hill needed to make the most of the wind, and having Alford, who had kicked 62 goals for the season, back on the field meant the Bulldogs could once again play with 18 men on the ground.
The Bulldogs narrowed the margin to 14 points with the only goal of the quarter, but that was never going to be enough.
Pyramid Hill coach Nathan Fitzpatrick threw McGregor forward in a last-ditch attempt to claw back the score, however his absence from the back line didn’t help the situation as the Panthers kicked 3.5 to 0.1 and cruised to victory.
Some of the Bulldogs key midfielders were subdued, including league best-and-fairest runner-up Ben Knight and Dylan Collis and Brodie Carroll.
It was hardly a day for forwards, but Marong’s Ryan Wellington managed two goals, including the sealer in the last quarter. Fellow tall forwards Kain Robins and Ryan Taylor kicked one apiece.
Panthers key defender Matthew Riordan also had a stellar game, along with speedy Jonty Davis. McGregor aside, Pyramid Hill was well served by Lachlan Sidebottom and hard-running Damon Hemphill.
Alford was reported by umpires for striking and has accepted a two-week early guilty plea suspension.