Sport
15 April, 2024
Dunolly takes flight for 2024
NEWSTEAD 10.8 (68) def by DUNOLLY 13.10 (88) For a second season in succession, Dunolly rolled into the Mount Alexander Shire for their season opener and took the four points, with the Eagles’ second quarter doing the trick against Newstead at...
NEWSTEAD 10.8 (68) def by DUNOLLY 13.10 (88)
For a second season in succession, Dunolly rolled into the Mount Alexander Shire for their season opener and took the four points, with the Eagles’ second quarter doing the trick against Newstead at Newstead Recreation Reserve.
The first quarter was a tight affair, with both teams kicking three goals and deadlocked at the first change.
But it was the second quarter where Dunolly really took charge. New recruit Bailey Hall was chief destroyer, and the new recruit from West Footscray was in the thick of everything, creating multiple opportunities for his new club.
Up forward, Mitchell Goodwin was the go-to guy for the Eagles, and he would help Dunolly kick five goals to two in the second quarter to open up a 20-point lead at the main break.
On top of the Kangaroos trailing at half time, they would also suffer another blow, with co-coach Joel Smith out of the game with an arm injury.
Dunolly continued on their charge in the third quarter, and essentially sealed the game with a four-goal to two quarter to extend their lead to 31 points at the final change.
Fellow Kangaroos co-coach Michael Dalrymple, who had taken over in Smith’s absence, had urged his charges to win the last quarter and gain confidence ahead of welcoming the reigning premiers in Harcourt next week, while Dunolly coach Bailey Goodwin was urging his men to finish the game strongly.
In a way, both coaches would have been reasonably happy with what they saw as the game came to its conclusion.
Newstead started quite strongly, and got the margin down to three goals thanks to some quick play, and it was Michael Runciman who was leading the charge, eventually finishing with five of the Kangaroos’ goals.
But while the Kangaroos felt they had a sniff, the Eagles would soon control play to finish off the game, ensuring that the Eagles would take home the four points ahead of an intriguing clash with Navarre next week.
For the victors, Hall was the best man on the ground, while the returning Adal Zuk also provided a clean pair of heels. Mitch with his four goals, Jake Willcocks, the ever-consistent Lloyd Needs and Daniel Trull were also named in the best for the Eagles.
The Kangaroos will be ruing the cost of their loss, with tricky assignments to come against Harcourt, Avoca away and Carisbrook. Angus Mayes was their best, with Jedd Pedretti, Anthony Robins, Jovian Goulton, Nick Livingstone and Runciman all named in their best players alongside him.
