Strathfieldsaye out on top in tough scrap

STRATHFIELDSAYE coach Jeff Andrews says his side’s gritty 7-point win over Eaglehawk last Saturday has the potential to set the Storm’s season up in what’s developing into one of the closest BFNL premiership races in years.

The Storm moved to 3-1 with a 9.15 (69) to 8.14 (62) victory at Canterbury Park.

It was their first win at the Hawks’ home ground in four years.

The Storm hold down fourth spot, one of three teams behind top of the ladder Sandhurst (4-0) with one loss, but with a game in hand on second placed South Bendigo (4-1) after 5 rounds.

Andrews, in his first year at the helm at Tannery Lane, was rapt to see the Storm come out on top in a tough scrap, having weathered a fierce challenge from the reigning premiers after establishing a 25-point lead in the third term.

“We haven’t won in four years out here (Canterbury Park), so anytime you can come out here and have a win it’s a good day,” he said.

“If you looked at the scores at half-time (25-18 the Storm’s way), you would have thought it was a quagmire if you didn’t know.

“It was just tough and hard; any kick a player from both sides got today, they earnt.

 

“It broke open a little bit in the second half, but it was nip and tuck most of the way.”

While it won’t be mistaken for one of their prettiest wins, Andrews viewed it as crucial, or even season-defining.

“I think most sides would pencil in Eaglehawk away as a loss, but to get the win, it helps set up our season,” he said.

“There wouldn’t be much separating three, four, or five sides at the moment, so you’ve got to nail your opportunities when they come.

“To be honest, you don’t win finals unless you are tough and Eaglehawk and Gisborne have been two of the tougher teams along with Sandhurst the last few years.

“We need to be able to compete with those guys in the big games.

“We are more than happy to have improved in that part of the game.

“(Toughness) is the measure for being competitive.”

Andrews praised the midfield contributions of Riley Mulquiny and Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, the latter continuing his stellar early season form, and intercept king Cooper Jones in defence.

Tyson McKenzie was a handful up forward, particularly after half-time, and finished with three goals, while Zane Keighran was busy throughout.

James Schischka also kicked three goals on a day when majors were at a premium.

 

Ahead of a round 6 clash with Broadford, Andrews pinpointed the Storm’s ball use as an area that needed some tidying up.

“We lowered our colours against Gisborne (in round 2) in contested pressure, but we feel we remedied that today (Saturday),” he said.

“It was a big step forward for us in terms of the side we want to become.”

Elsewhere, Gisborne flashed home to overtake Castlemaine for a 1-point win at Camp Reserve.

The Bulldogs trailed at every change of end, including by 20 at quarter-time and 14 at three-quarter time, but a 4-goal to 2 final term was enough to deliver a nail-biting win.

Will Elliott (two goals), Dylan Johnstone, James Gray, Frank Schipano, Bradley Bernacki and Zach Vescovi led the way in Gisborne’s third win.

Jack Sutherland, Hunter Staples, Brodie Byrne, Harrison Sheahan (two goals), Zavier Murley and Dylan Landt rated best for the Magpies.

Sandhurst, led by five-goal forward Cobi Maxted, defeated Kangaroo Flat by 97 points at the QEO.

Caleb Connick, Fergus Greene, Oliver Morris, Nicholas Stagg and Jonty Davis were other big contributors for the Dragons, who were missing players.

Jeremy Rodi, Daniel Stagg, Tyran Farmer, Zach Bird and Aaron Nevins battled hard for the Roos.

Broadford and South Bendigo’s round 5 clash was played as standalone fixture on 28 March, with the Bloods prevailing by 203 points.