Avenel were looking forward to this game as a chance to rebuild their season. They had won the in the Reserves and Under 18, so were hoping another clean sweep this week.

The first quarter started with Girgarre kicking the first goal at the 3 minute mark. Avenel’s first goal came 5minutes later through Shane Woods after a great lead and mark about 45 metres out. Avenel kicked their second through the very elusive Robbie Sidebottom. The next goal was kicked by Girgarre after a defensive error.

The last goal of the quarter was kicked by first gamer Danny Dawson who showing the form that had won him a spot in the senior side. Avenel had some fine contributors in this quarter especially down back with Stef Potts, John Duckworth, Shaun Green and Tom O’Connor. In the midfield Brett Carroll and Willie Wheeler were getting plenty of the ball. Up forward Woods and Sidebottom were looking dangerous.

At quarter time Avenel had a 6 point lead over Girgarre. The score was Avenel 3-3 to Girgarre 2-3.

The second quarter started with Avenel kicking the first goal Through Jac Smith-Williams who just starting to have an impacted on the game. The next 2 goals of the quarter were kicked by Girgarre without Avenel scoring.

Avenel scored the next 2 goals through Robbie Doughty who took a clever mark to kick his first goal 30 metres out kicking into the teeth of a strong wind. Then again Shane Woods marked strong and kicked truly to extend Avenel’s lead out to 10 points. But a late goal by Girgarre on the halftime siren cut the lead to 4 points at halftime.

In this quarter the backline was still doing a fine job. Stef Potts and Shaun Green were providing plenty of run. Jarrod Mapperson was repelling nearly everything that came his way. In the midfield Smith-Williams had good in supporting Carroll and Wheeler who were still getting plenty of the ball. Up forward Sidebottom and Woods were still looking dangerous.

In the halftime break Marc brooks was happy but stressed to his players to keep up effort.

The third quarter started with Sidebottom kicking his third and final goal. Rob received an eye injury in the second quarter and then hurt his knee in the third quarter. Girgarre kicked the next goal to cut the lead back to 4 points. John Green kicked his first goal from a strong contested mark 3 minutes after Sidebottom’s goal. Three minutes later Doughty kicked his second goal from great team work from Sidebottom who left the ground shortly after through injury.

At the 12 minute mark Avenel lead by 16 points and then against run of play Girgarre kicked the next 7 goals of the match. These goals were all kicked in the space of 15 minutes into the teeth of strong wind.

The goals were the result of some sloppy defensive work by the backline players and Girgarre were getting ball out of midfield with ease at every centre clearance. Avenel could only kick 2 late behinds for the quarter.

Girgarre’s Clayton Irwin kicked 5 goals in this quarter. Early in the third quarter Avenel lost first gamer Danny Dawson to injury, which left Avenel with only 19 fit players. After that dismal 15 minutes by Avenel in the third quarter gave Girgarre the lead by 35 points. The score at three quarter time was Girgarre 13-10 to Avenel 8-5.

At the break Brooks was not happy, he gave his players the mother of all sprays that quarter. He told his players that they needed to lift to show the supporter that they were a better team than they showed in that devastating 15 minutes of football. He spoke about the lack of accountability especially in midfield and backline. He touched on some of lack defensive skills and decision making.

The final quarter started with Avenel kicking first goal through Mapperson after a nice mark. Then Girgarre kicked the next 2 goals of the game. Avenel’s next goal was kicked by Robbie Doughty after clever elusive play. Girgarre kicked the next goal which gave Irwin 10 goals for the game.

Avenel scored the last goal of the game through Woods. Avenel did respond to Brook’s three quarter time spray as they kept Girgarre to 3 goals kicking with the strong wind. Girgarre finished the game with a 36 point victory.

Final Score Girgarre 2.3 5.7 13.10 16.11 (107) v

Avenel 3.3 6.3 8.5 11.5 (71)

Goals Robbie Doughty 3 Shane Woods 3 Robbie Sidebottom 2 Jarrod Mapperson 1 John Green 1 Danny Dawson 1

Best Players Steven Potts Robbie Doughty William Wheeler Brett Carroll Paul Arandt Shaun Green

RESERVES

Avenel Reserves finally put together two wins by defeating Tallygaroopna in round 12 and last Saturday defeating Girgarre by 95 points. Avenel started off well with many players forcing the ball forward to notch up 4 goals to Girgarre’s 2 goal to end the quarter.

The second quarter was even better than the first, as many Avenel players settled in their positions and the only deterrent was the cold wind blowing down the ground. However some strong play by Brett Thomas, Jason Lynch, Charlie Wheeler and Jamie Kanters forcing the ball forward at every opportunity. Damien Willox and Nick Clarke, presented many chances to the forwards in Luke Winnell, Brett McDonald, Steven and Michael Donovan with Avenel kicking another 4 goals to Girgarre no score.

After half time and Girgarre showed that they were not going to give up easily and as the quarter continued the ball see sawed back and forward with Avenel occasionally putting a major on the board to finish the quarter with another 3 goals to Girgarre’s 2.

The last quarter started with both teams wishing to finish the game on a good note, however the Avenel players settled early and got their second wind and continually drove the ball up forward for the Avenel forwards to have a feast by kicking another 8.

Brett Williams finishing the day with 5 goals, Steve Donovan with 3, Michael Donovan with 2, Robert Sherriff 2 goals.Several others players each kicked singles. better players on the day were Charlie Wheeler, Steve Donovan, Brett McDonald, Luke Winnell, Taylor Speechley and David Moran.

Next week Avenel has the bye, which hopefully will give several players time to heal some injuries, leaving the last 5 games of the season to secure a berth in the finals.

Final Score Avenel 4.1 7.6 9.9 17.17 (119)

def Girgarre 4 - 0- 24 points(119)

Goals Avenel Brett McDonald 5, Brett Williams 4, Stephen Donovan 3,

David Moran 2, Nicholas Clarke 1, Emmett O’connor 1, Travis Hogan 1

Best Avenel Stephen Donovan, Brett McDonald, Luke Winnell, Charles

Wheeler, Damian Willox, Emmett O’Connor.

UNDER 18

Under ‘stand-in’ coach Brett Williams, the young Swans posted another victory to still keep their finals chances alive.

For the second week in a row, the Swans got off to a good start, something we hadn’t been doing early in the season. With the return of Dylan Smith to the side and playing up forward, the Swans had a focal point. Being too strong for his opponent, Dylan posted some handy early goals and was a good player for the side all day, even with his stint up back in the second half. Dylan was ably assisted by Scott Williams who slotted three goals in the first half dominating his position and then was rested as he continues to carry his knee injury.

Once again the Swans gelled well as a side using good team work, running hard, getting numbers to the ball and providing support for team mates under pressure.

Charles Wheeler continued his excellent form picking up a large number of possessions and showing great poise and skill on both sides of his body. The backline led by Callum Williams, Lockie Dowling, Brian Kibble and Tim Orgill repelled most of Girgarre’s forward thrusts and the inclusion of Tyler Peacock with his close checking has added stability to the backline. Hayden “H” Sherwood’s run off the backline was impressive and on one occasion his three bounce run down through the centre was set to bring the house down, only to be let down by an ineffective shot for goal. “H” later recalled he “couldn’t have blown out a candle when it came to deliver the ball”. Our fine onballers of Shannon Ginn, Willie Wheeler, Dean Fulco, Dallas Bergowicz, Alex Fitzgibbon and Tom Hardisty all continued to provide great drive around the ground.

It’s great to see that the team performed so well even when two of the driving forces in Willie Wheeler and Scott Williams were rested for most of the second half. With a rest for the team due to the split round next week and with only five rounds remaining, our finals hopes are still alive but still largely rest in our own hands with many teams clambering for fifth spot.

All boys are encouraged to continue to get to training, do a bit extra and work hard to prepare for the lead up to the finals. A great team effort.

FINAL Score Avenel 7.4 10.7 14.8 16.14 (110)

def Girgarre 0.0 0.1 2.2 3.3 (21)

BEST: D. Fulco, W. Wheeler, S. Williams, C. Wheeler, D. Bergowicz, S. Ginn

GOALS: D. Fulco 4, S. Williams 3, D. Smith 2, T. Hardisty 2