Sport
3 September, 2024
Lexton’s premiership dreams stay alive after 21-point win
LEXTON 9.9 (63) def DUNOLLY 5.12 (42)
Lexton’s quest to end their 32-year premiership wait took another step on Saturday as they disposed of Dunolly by 21 points after a tough battle at Princes Park.
The Tigers utilised a terrific third quarter run which yielded the final three goals to set up a matchwinning 18-point cushion, and despite the Eagles constantly asking questions, the Tigers had all the answers.
After both teams registered two behinds to open the game, it was the unlikely, yet trusty, right foot of Tom McGregor who would get the Tigers off and running with a stunning launch from outside 50 to the rotunda end.
Lexton’s pressure was immense, and they were soon rewarded with a second goal when playing-coach Dylan Bourke expertly crumbed the pack and snapped the ball through from close range.
Dunolly did have a response at the other end, and it was Jake Willcocks who put through the Eagles’ opening goal of the day from a set shot from close range to ensure it would be a six-point game at the first change.
It took a minute for Dunolly to level the scores after the resumption, with Joel Fisher matching McGregor’s efforts from before with an effort that bounced through from just inside the centre square.
But Fisher’s goal would be met by an unbelievable effort from Pat Parr at the other end.
Parr’s snap from just inside 50 looked to be sailing through for a behind, but the ball snapped at right angles before bouncing through, staying out of reach from the flailing arms of Dunolly playing-coach Bailey Goodwin.
A common theme of the half, and the game, was that Lexton’s goals were spectacular, and it was another brilliant snap from Josh Sargent which helped the Tigers clear away to a 10-point lead approaching red time.
The Eagles had the final say of the half, however, with Mitchell Goodwin intercepting a McGregor handpass to snap truly, reducing the margin to two points at the main break.
Fisher’s second goal to open the third term was important, taking a mark at the top of the goal square and converting to give Dunolly the lead.
A minute later, however, Lexton would respond with another spectacular goal, and this would be to regain a lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the balance of the day, with Parr slotting through a brilliant goal on the run from deep on the right flank at the rotunda end.
Jack Peacock soon put through another goal at the nine-minute mark to make it a nine-point game.
Arguably the goal of the day would follow at the 17-minute mark, and fittingly for the Tigers, it would be Sargent, the best man on the ground, who would deliver.
Sargent charged off the bench to receive a William Brand handball, before launching from a similar position to Parr’s goal earlier in the quarter in a genius bit of play to extend the lead to a game-high 16 points.
With an 18-point lead at the last change, Lexton were wary that Dunolly could still come back with the more favourable of the breeze, and it was Fisher who kicked his third to open the last to keep the Eagles in it.
Parr’s third goal just seconds later, however, frustrated Dunolly’s comeback bid, and Ben Noonan put the finishing touches on Lexton’s win with a goal from close range.
Sargent and Joel Antonio were workmanlike through the midfield, while youngster Brand played an impressive role in defence. Alex McLean, McGregor, and the returning Jaykeb Lench also played an important role for the victorious Tigers.
Fisher, Bailey and Mitchell, Oscar Keogh, Jake Gavriliadis and Jack Merrin were all named in Dunolly’s best.
Co-coach Bourke said while the win was great, there was plenty of work to be done.
“We are reserved, still. We want to learn and adapt along the way, so we feel it is a job half-done for us, but also wanting to leave everything out there,” he said.
A focus on the Tigers’ defence was key after their 108-point loss to Natte Bealiba the week before, and Bourke believed their best-laid plans paid off on Saturday.
“We focused on our defensive effort, Dunolly are a team of very good ball users, probably better ball users than ours, so it was important that we covered off the loose man as they create a lot of space for each other,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on our research on the opposition side, so we are confident enough to know how the opposition will play, so we try to get the opposition out of their style and out of their comfort zone. The best way we can do that is put heat on the contest.”
Bourke heaped praise on Sargent, Antonio, Lench and the defensive unit, which was key to the win.
“Josh was brilliant. His defensive work in the last half of the year has been great. Tom McGregor’s leadership has been super for us, as well as Lachlan Rokebrand. The back six is one we’ve tried to leave and stick together as long as we can, and we added Bryce Karslake back in to the mix this week — he’s important for us,” he said.
“Lench gives us good drive out of the middle of the ground and he almost rucked unchanged, as he felt he owed us last week as he had his best mate’s wedding in Townsville. He was fresh and ready to go, but he was super. He allows players like Sargent and Antonio to get on the run, get forward into the contest.
“We were lucky to get Joel during the year. He wanted to play a couple of games and he has really enjoyed it. He’s clean below his knees at ground level, and he is super-fast on the hands, bringing the long kickers into the game.”
The focus for the Tigers is now squarely focused on Trentham, according to Bourke.
“Trentham are a team that look like they are getting it right at the right end of the year, and they are similar to us. We are sick of winning a final or two and bombing out — we’re determined to get into a grand final. I think next week will be a good hitout,” he said.
“We wasted a few shots last time, and lost our way before half time. We were a bit silly, gave away a few free kicks. Trentham at home were really good. Not many teams go there and win, but on Princes Park, you never know what might happen. The breeze is really strong there.”