General News
12 September, 2024
Midfield puts Mean Machine key cog into a goal desert
AS THE clock wound down in the senior preliminary final at Inglewood, Marong was playing with just 16 on the field. No disrespect to Bridgewater, but an 85-point lead in the last minutes of the final quarter meant the Panthers had one eye on...
AS THE clock wound down in the senior preliminary final at Inglewood, Marong was playing with just 16 on the field.
No disrespect to Bridgewater, but an 85-point lead in the last minutes of the final quarter meant the Panthers had one eye on Saturday’s grand final against Pyramid Hill.
The grand final that seemed pre-destined all season is now reality.
The preliminary final was an even contest early, with the teams trading goals before Marong flicked the switch and took advantage of the breeze – worth a couple of goals – to end the first quarter with a 45-point lead.
A spectacular mark and long goal to the Mean Machine’s Darcy Wood early in the second term raised hopes of a resurgence by the men in red and white, but Marong replied almost immediately after a goal square scramble.
Wood’s goal was Bridgewater’s only major for the quarter, while the Panthers added three against the wind, going into the long break with an unassailable 56-point margin.
Bridgewater’s cause wasn’t helped by a knee injury to star full-forward Lachlan Sharp in the second quarter, who was strapped up and barely able to walk after half-time, although he battled bravely and kicked his only goal for the game in the third term.
Sharp ended the season on 138 goals, but he managed only five in three matches against Marong, whose midfield dominance starved him of supply.
The evenness of the Panthers’ effort was highlighted by having 13 players contributing to their 21-goal tally. Having multiple goalkickers has been a hallmark of their season, with Kain Robins, Ryley Taylor and Ryan Wellington combining for 159 goals.
The third quarter saw Marong pile on another five goals to Bridgewater’s two, and the final quarter lacked urgency given the margin.
The Panthers kicked three goals to start the last term, pushing their lead to 95 points before Bridgewater brought some respectability to the score with four in a row before Marong kicked the last two of the game.
Nippy rover Jimmy Gadsden was outstanding for the winners, with his speed and defensive efforts effective all day, while Jai Gretgrix and Jack and Noah McCaig also impressed in a fine team performance.
Jack Neylon worked tirelessly in the Bridgewater midfield, although he too was hampered by injury later in the game, and Lee Coghlan stepped up with three goals against the tide.