Sport
25 May, 2022
Power in control against Rovers
KOLORA-NOORAT enjoyed its fourth win of the season to sneak into the top five, defeating South Rovers 14.13 (97) to 9.9 (63) last weekend.
KOLORA-NOORAT enjoyed its fourth win of the season to sneak into the top five, defeating South Rovers 14.13 (97) to 9.9 (63) last weekend.
The Power were in control for much of the first half but were not ruthless enough to convert that dominance into goals, leading by just seven points at half-time.
A resurgence in the midfield during the third period gave Power forwards plenty of scoring opportunities, allowing the home team to kick six goals to one and stamp its authority on the game.
The Power locked the game down through the last quarter, holding off Rovers to win by 34 points and push above their opponents on the ladder.
Kolora-Noorat had 10 individual goal-kickers for the day in a display that demonstrated the Power’s multitude of options.
Power coach Nick Bourke said he was impressed with the way his players found ways to score under strong defensive pressure from their opposition.
“When we’re at full-strength we have some really good key forwards, but to have multiple avenues to kick winning scores is going to be really important for us this season,” he said.
“Those key forwards are only going to get more and more attention, so to have other blokes, especially midfielders and small forwards step up and hit the scoreboard is going to be crucial for us.”
Young ruckman Sam Kenna received Bourke’s vote for best on ground for the Power, giving another strong performance both at stoppages and in open play.
“All year, but these last two weeks in particular, Sam’s been super for us,” Bourke said.
“He’s been getting more confident every game he plays, and he can take it up to the best of them now.
“He’s really stepped into that number one role with (fellow ruckman) Justin Walsh out injured, and once Justin gets back we’ll have a really good duo there.”
Veterans Joel and Jason Moloney were also instrumental in the win on Saturday, providing plenty of drive through the midfield while also providing vital leadership to the side.
Kolora-Noorat travels to Timboon this week to take on the Demons, a side who are yet to win a game this season.
But Bourke said he and his players would take this week’s game as seriously as any other.
“Timboon at home are dangerous, no matter where they are on the ladder,” he said.
“They play their ground really well and they’ll come ready to play.
“We’re certainly not flying ourselves at the minute, so we’ll attack it like we do every other game.
“We’ll just be trying to put four quarters together and play some good footy.”
In other games around the league last weekend Nirranda defeated Timboon by 140 points, Panmure won at home against Old Collegians, Allansford lost at home to Russells Creek, and Merrivale beat Dennington 69-56.
