Sport
30 May, 2024
Bloods suffer tough loss
TERANG Mortlake Bloods senior football team was left reeling after a dominant performance from the Koroit Saints.
The Bloods had all the momentum throughout much of the first quarter before a couple of penalties brought the Saints ahead 2.5.17 over the home side 2.3.15.
Terang Mortlake responded in the early stages of the second quarter with quick back-to-back goals, but it was all downhill from there as the Saints poured on five unanswered majors to carry a 37-point lead in to the half.
There were some signs of life in the third quarter but the Saints were able to match the tempo before a seven-goal final quarter saw the Saints march away 70-point winners.
Final score was Terang Mortlake Bloods seniors 8.5.53 defeated by Koroit Saints seniors 18.15.123.
“The game didn’t pan out how we would have liked but we started reasonably well, kicking the first couple of goals in a reasonably solid first quarter,” coach Lewis Taylor said.
“Koroit kicked in to gear and sometimes you just have to tip your hat when a team outplays you.
“It’s a little disappointing, but the thing with footy you’ve got the next week coming so hopefully we can learn a few things and turn it around.”
Taylor said his side would look to build upon its contests and work rate to remain in the thick of the finals race.
“Our contest stuff will need to lift, as well as contest to contest ground balls,” he said.
“I think Koroit outworked us after quarter time, they’re a small, zippy team so when you don’t go contest-to-contest it shows.
“But there’s no need to get too negative - you learn some lessons and that’s what it’s about at the end of the day.
“You look to bounce back and respond, and to the boy’s credit I thought after half time they came out with a bit of a spark so hopefully this week we’ll bounce back.”
Best for the Bloods was Xavier Moloney, Ryley Hutchins, Darcy Hobbs, Samual Mclean and Harvey Roberts.
“Riley Hutchins was notable from the bench, he was cracking in,” Taylor said.
“Xavier Moloney probably had his best game of the year, his polish stood out on a day when we had a lot of turnovers.”
Goal kickers were Alexander Moloney (2), Matty Arundell (2), Ryan Tanner (1), Harvey Roberts (1), Isaac Kenna (1) and Sam Mclean (1).
The Bloods will take on the Blues in Warrnambool this weekend, in what Taylor predicts will be a hotly contested match.
“I’m hoping we respond,” he said.
“Warrnambool are playing some good footy and they’re just below us on the table, so it’s an important game for both teams.
“I watched them round one and they’ve got some weapons in the side.
“We’ll look at them this week but I think more important will be getting back to focusing on what we need to do.”
Meanwhile the Terang Mortlake reserves were able to secure victory, running out 11.5.71 winners over Koroit 8.6.54.
Best players for the reserves were Xavier Reicha, Tyson Densley, Adam Williams, Tom Arundell, Chris Crawley and Jordan Harris.
Goal scorers were Jordan Harris, Tyson Densley and Justin Thomas with two, while Will Berryman, Tom Arundell, and Toby Roberts booted one apiece.
Meanwhile in the open netball, the Bloods could not quite keep pace with a strong Koroit side which ran out 63-43 winners.
Coach Kym Grundy said she was pleased with her side’s effort in a match where the score did not reflect the competitive nature of the day.
“They were a very competitive team and it probably wasn’t our best game on the day,” she said.
“I feel like we’re a lot closer to them than a 20-goal gap, but the team that plays the best on the day gets the chocolates.
“We’ll work on a few things next time and hopefully match up with them a little better on the mid-court.
“We had a few niggling injuries of our own which led to some changes on and off for us, but hopefully next time we meet them we’ll be able to accommodate for that.”
Grundy said working towards better defensive stints was a focus for the side.
“I thought we all had a pretty good game and did their job,” she said.
“We had worked a lot on a bit more defensive pressure but when you work on some changes that can throw that out a little bit.
“We’ll work on some attacking adaptations and a bit more defensive stuff.”
The Bloods open netball side will take on a quality Blues squad this weekend, which Grundy tipped to be a physical affair.
“I think our girls will feel last week’s loss a fair bit, and they’ll be hungry for a win,” she said.
“If we had got the four points against Koroit we would have ended up third on the ladder, and because we didn’t we dropped to sixth.
“Warrnambool are a game above us on the ladder, so they will be tough.
“They’re physical and they have some great players on their team, so we’ll have to bring our A-game to get across the line.
“I think it’ll be a closer game than last week was, on paper we match up close, but you have to put the four quarters together.”
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