Sport
15 August, 2022
Navarre tunes up for final-round showdown
MALDON 8.5 (53) def by NAVARRE 17.21 (123) Navarre tuned up for their must-win final round clash with Carisbrook by scoring a 70-point win against Maldon at Bill Woodfull Reserve. Winning was the only option for the Hoppers, as a loss would have...
MALDON 8.5 (53) def by NAVARRE 17.21 (123)
Navarre tuned up for their must-win final round clash with Carisbrook by scoring a 70-point win against Maldon at Bill Woodfull Reserve.
Winning was the only option for the Hoppers, as a loss would have consigned them to an elimination final, however, with their 10th win on the bounce, they can now give themselves every chance of securing what would most likely be fourth spot next week if they can defeat the Redbacks.
Meantime for Maldon, they now face the potential of having to win against Royal Park just to play finals. However, that would also require Talbot to upset runaway ladder-leader Trentham, while Dunolly will also have to defeat Avoca for that scenario to play out.
The Hoppers dominated the day’s proceedings, having eight shots at goal to the Bombers’ one in the first quarter. However, inaccurate kicking meant that the margin was only 17 points at the first change.
It was much of the same story again in the second quarter, with Navarre dominating all aspects of play, but only having three goals from 11 shots to show for it. However, the scoreboard still showed that they were comfortable leaders, sitting 34 points up at the main break.
Navarre finally kicked things up a notch in the third quarter, kicking six goals to three to open up a 53-point margin at the final change.
A further five goals in the last quarter to Maldon’s three meant they would eventually run out 70-point winners.
Navarre’s winning margin could have been greater if it weren’t for the 21 behinds that were kicked, however, it mattered little in the overall scheme of things, with the Hoppers’ percentage too low to move into the top four as it stands.
Riley Bibby enjoyed a standout afternoon, while Cody Driscoll kicked eight goals. Billy Driscoll, Jay Moody, Billy Parry and Jesse Hannett also played well for the Hoppers.
For Maldon, Billy Miller, David Wilson, Bryce Coffey, Dyllan White, Hayden Coffey and Aaron Millen were named their best players, while Ashley Woodman led the way in front of goal with four majors.