Sport
24 May, 2024
Blues moments of brilliance after flat-foot start
INGLEWOOD deserved every bit of its Loddon Valley win on Saturday to go two games clear in fifth spot on the ladder. Extended patches of brilliance, often triggered by smart and explosive work of Campbell Love in the first half, put the Blues in...
INGLEWOOD deserved every bit of its Loddon Valley win on Saturday to go two games clear in fifth spot on the ladder.
Extended patches of brilliance, often triggered by smart and explosive work of Campbell Love in the first half, put the Blues in a class above Mitiamo.
The Polack brothers Dan and Sam displayed genetic telepathy as they linked turnovers from defence deep into the forward zone.
Inglewood was eight goals up after booting eight in the second term, Bowen Cauchi’s run into open sticks saw the ball cross the line a split second before the major break siren.
That more than handy lead made up for a flat-footed start that had Mitiamo’s Kia Coatsworth and Alex Lloyd with goals before Inglewood could even rattle the scoreboard.
The Blues then spent the back half of the opening term playing catch up, Daniel Polack dribbled through the first goal after a handy pass from Keelan Payne. who moments later used his body to out-position opponents and score truly.
Roos’ Brayden Baines and skipper Luke Lougoon were the thorn for Inglewood, only to see their turnovers abruptly halted across the midfield.
Love was repelling the attacks and setting up the play to put Inglewood in control. His snap late in the opening term guaranteed momentum stayed with the Blues.
Liam Marciano bobbed up with one of his four goals for the day after Inglewood strung play from defence deep into the forward 50.
Inglewood’s second term was full of running, the tackling rate higher and more effective and the system that appeared shaky in the first 30 minutes more settled and cohesive.
Unanswered goals from Polack, Jack Nevins and Gauchi sealer near the siren had Inglewood poised to blow Mitiamo off the park as happened in the two encounters last season.
But the experience of the likes of Lougoon, Baines and Zach Morrison saw Mitiamo work its way back to within two goals in the final term.
Inglewood coach Fergus Payne later said the second half was far from the Blues’ finest hour of football.
Love was the most exciting prospect on the ground for Inglewood. back with the Blues after a year off football.
It was his best game of the season and he sent a warning to opponents for what could come in future encounters.
Skipper Dan Polack has now figured in the club’s official best players in all but the opening round.
He showed leadership up and down the ground.
The win over Mitiamo also showed the winless Superoos are not easy beats in the competition.
They have experienced heads who can rattle mid-tier sides and could cause damage later in the season.
Inglewood’s next challenge: Put together four good quarters.