Resilient Storm make a statement in win over Dragons

STRATHFIELDSAYE coach Jeff Andrews has praised his players’ resistance and ability to overcome the odds in a gutsy 19-point win over Sandhurst at the QEO last Sunday.

The Storm, underpinned by a brilliant six-goal haul from forward James Schischka, overcame the Dragons on their home deck 12.12 (84) to 9.11 (65).

Their fifth and arguably most important win of the season has them handily placed in third spot on the ladder, behind top side South Bendigo (6-1), but with a game in hand on the Bloods, and Gisborne (also 5-1).

“It was even more impressive in that we were pretty banged up,” a proud Andrews said post-match.

“We had a few blokes who couldn’t come back on and we were managing rotations.

“It looked like they were going to roll over us, but we found a way.

“We never got the game on our terms, but we found a way to stay in it and hit the scoreboard.

“Obviously, James Schischka kicking six, coming off some good interleague form was important for us.

“But our contested work was the most pleasing aspect.”

The Storm were already without Drew Lloyd, Tyson McKenzie and Zane Keighran on VFL duties, and on-baller Riley Wilson.

In their absence, class midfielder Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, forwards Schischka and Zach Charles, wingman Darcy Mulquiny and Daniel Clohesy galvanised the troops on the way to turning a one-point three-quarter-time deficit into a three-goal win.

The Storm had led by 15 points at half-time, with the move of Dragons star Fergus Greene to full-forward after the break pivotal to their resurgence.

Greene finished the day with five goals in arguably a best on ground performance, winning plenty of plaudits from the opposition.

“He was outstanding. It’s not often the best player on the ground would go to a losing team, but I thought he was best on ground by a mile,” Andrews said.

The first-year Storm coach was equally lavish in his assessment of one of his own, 19-year-old Jackson-Leahy, who dominated the clearances and has quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier on-ballers.

“As we know, Sandhurst have a really strong midfield, but I think we held sway over them in no small part due to Jaidi,” he said.

“He was incredible … stoppages and using the ball on the outside. Absolutely first class.”

Andrews further praised the contributions of debutant Will Mayes and second-gamer Archie Stevens in the win.

“Will went really well. He played inside mid, is a bottom-ager, but a big brute of a boy,” he said.

“He acquitted himself really well and looks more than capable at the level.

“Archie played half-forward, was nippy and caused a bit of havoc for the opposition and more than held his own.”

Aside from a standout effort from Greene, Sandhurst had strong contributors in Caleb Connick, Charlie Robinson, Ollie Morris, Nicholas Stagg and Will Pinniger, but it was not enough to prevent a second straight defeat.

In encouraging news for the Storm faithful, Andrews said he expected Sam Heavyside to be back on deck soon, with a few other injured soldiers also nearing a return.

 

“We’ve got our season going, the last thing we want to do is take any backwards steps,” Andrews said in regards to the Storm’s upcoming contest against Golden Square.

“I watched the first half of their game against South and they were super-competitive.

“They will be up and about, so we won’t be doing anything but treating them with plenty of respect and taking it full throttle.”

Playing on their home ground at Wade Street for the first this season, Golden Square provided plenty of spirit and fight against top side South Bendigo in a 52-point loss.

The Bloods took until the final term to fully assert their authority, turning a 26-point three-quarter-time lead into a 19.11 (125) to 11.7 (73) victory on the back of a six-goal-to-two quarter.

South Bendigo led by six points at quarter-time and by 20 at half-time.

A candidate for the three votes, Brody Haddow booted four goals for the Bloods, as did Brock Harvey.

Tom Templeton, Will Allen, Hayden Geddes, Jack Fallon and Callum Crisp were other key contributors in the win.

In the only downside, Bloods ruckman Macgregor Cameron was expected to enter 21-day concussion protocols after sustaining a head knock during the third term.

For Golden Square, Jordan Rosengren and Liam Barrett, who both kicked three goals, Noah Warfe, Tom Strauch, Luke Holt and Jack McMahon led the resistance.

Elsewhere, Eaglehawk got its premiership defence back on track, bouncing back into the top five with a 22-point win over Castlemaine at Canterbury Park.

The Hawks produced their best performance to date to take care of a plucky Magpies 13.10 (88) to 9.12 (60).

Callum Heath, Jonty Neaves, Oscar White, Ben Thompson, Joel Mullen and Billy Evans led the charge for the Hawks, who moved to 3-4 ahead of a bye.

Their third win snapped a three-game losing streak against South Bendigo, Strathfieldsaye and Gisborne.

Hawks co-coach Travis Matheson was pleased with not only his team’s win, but their pressure and commitment.

“It was a scrap, which, given how important the game was to both our seasons, is not surprising,” he said.

“But there were enough opportunities for us to open the game up, get the footy flowing and put a winning score on the board, so very happy to walk away with the win.”

The Hawks will return to action on 13 June to complete their first-round engagements at Broadford.

Castlemaine dropped to 2-4 ahead of a must-win home game against Broadford.

Michael Hartley, Dylan Landt, Zavier Murley, Darby Semmens, Jack Sutherland and Oscar Giddings all played well for the Magpies, whose coach Bailey Henderson (three goals) went down with a shoulder injury in the final term.

In an earlier blow, the Magpies lost defender Callum McConachy after sustaining a nasty head gash in the first quarter.

At Harley Hammond Reserve, Gisborne’s Pat McKenna booted 12 goals in a 227-point win over winless Broadford.

The Bulldogs led by an astonishing 115 points at half-time and refused to let up in an equally ruthless second half.

A second quarter goal to vice-captain Jay Eager was Broadford’s sole major for the game.

James Gray, Thomas Werner, Bradley Bernacki, Lucas Hannon and Harry Thomas made the official best players list alongside McKenna, while Campbell Johns and Zac Denahy kicked four and three goals respectively.