By DAVID NAGEL
NARRE WARREN’s magnificent record-breaking 44-game winning streak is over after the Magpies fell six-points short of Cranbourne in an exhilarating contest at Casey Fields on Saturday.
The Magpies’ run, which started back in round three, 2012, included back-to-back premierships, 17 wins by triple figures and an average winning margin of 96 points.
The Magpies had played the bottom-five teams in the competition leading into this clash and, it must be said, they didn’t look mentally prepared for the contest.
Cranbourne was all over Narre in the first quarter and probably deserved a bigger lead than the 22-point buffer it held at quarter time.
The Magpies had no answers as Cranbourne ruckman Michael Boland fed his midfield stars like Curtis Barker, Ryan Davey and Ryan Jones with a stack of the ball. Ben King had his hands full with Michael Theodoridis, who kicked two of his four goals for the match in the first term.
Narre then took on board the World Cup theme, Ben Wragg dribbling through the last goal of the first quarter before Lee Boyle followed his lead just moments into the second.
The Magpies were then absurdly inaccurate, kicking a further 1.11 for the term, to cut the deficit by just five points, to 17 at the main break. The visitors reduced the margin to 10, with a 5.4 to 4.3 premiership quarter to set up a thrilling final term.
Narre started rolling at the start of the final quarter, stretching out to a 14-point lead as players like Jackson Parker, Col McNamara and Nick Scanlon, sensed the danger, and lifted like good players do. More heartbreak looked likely for the Eagles but they responded in kind, with a free kick to Jones – on the goal-line – handing them a victory that, just like Narre Warren’s great run, will stand the test of time.
Theodoridis and Jones finished with four each for the winners, while Marc Holt was made to work hard by Narre defender Ryan Morrison for his two second-half goals.
The Magpies lost no admirers with their performance and still remain red-hot favourites to take out the ultimate prize. Inaccurate kicking at goal cost them dearly, but the lessons learnt from their first defeat in more than two years, and the release of pressure on the club, will provide positives that far outweigh the negatives.
Parker ended the day with three for the Magpies, and was brilliant, while Morrison continues to build on a growing reputation with another exceptional job on Holt. Youngster Hayden Stagg slotted two for the Magpies and joined McNamara, Scanlon and Dale Gawley as the Magpies’ best.
Hampton Park finally had reason to cheer, scoring its first win of the season with a commanding 50-point win over Keysborough at Robert Booth Reserve.
The Redbacks trailed at quarter time, but kicked 12 goals to three after the first break to cruise their way to victory. Matt Cox kicked four, and Michael McDonald three for the winners, while ruckman Billy Thomas had a massive influence around the ground. Josh Craig, Rod Blackbourn and Nathan Allen were others who deserved to belt out the club song with pride. Tim Werner slotted four goals for the Burra.
Doveton pulled off the surprise of the round at its home ground at Robinson Oval with its lock-down nature leading to a low-scoring one-point win over Berwick.
The Doves looked in for a long day as the Wickers bounced out of the blocks with four first-quarter goals – but they kicked just two more for the match as Doves dug in for the fight.
Under-19 player Mitch Pierce kicked two on debut for the Doves, while Andrew Green and Michael Laszczyk – who kicked the only goal of the final quarter – were other valuable contributors. Nathan Waite slotted three for the Wickers and skipper Madi Andrews was once again superb.
Pakenham made it seven on the trot with an impressive 31-point away victory over Beaconsfield.
The Lions were just too aggressive and too switched on for the Eagles who kicked late goals to cut the margin to a flattering size. Full-forward Daniel Fry kicked six for the Lions while Dom Paynter, Dean Blake and Cory Lenders were dominant through the midfield and Nathan Brown used his experience to full effect down back.
ROC survived an after-the-siren shot at goal from Tooradin skipper Michael Hobbs to defeat the Seagulls by two-points in a scrappy, but close affair at Starling Road.
The Seagulls led by two points at the final break, but a Neil Adams goal gave the Kangaroos the edge they needed to bank a crucial four points. Tom Marks, Travis Woodfield and Blair Allan were the best performers for the winners while inter-league star Matt Wade continued his outstanding form for the Seagulls.
