By Marcus Uhe
Nine, seven, seven, eight.
They’re not the first four numbers of the latest Lotto draw, nor the start of a cryptic phone number, or the scores given by judges on Dancing with the Stars to a dazzling routine.
It’s the number of goals Narre Warren kicked in each of the four quarters against Olinda Ferny Creek on Saturday as the Magpies chassé’d its way to a 155-point win.
The 31.20 206 to 7.9 51 scoreline was somehow even more one-sided than the previous contests in which these two met back in round six, when the Magpies waltzed to a 145-point victory.
Nine goals to four in the first term suggested the afternoon would be a shootout, but the Bloods soon ran-out of bullets, kicking just three for the remainder of the afternoon.
The Magpies kicked 13 unanswered goals in one stretch overlapping the half-time break in arguably their most dominant performance of their premiership defence to date.
It appeared to be a training drill at times for the reigning premiers, with Daniel Toner kicking goals on the run under very little pressure inside 50.
Riley Siwes led the way for the Magpies with six majors, showcasing his versatility with a number of skilful goals at ground level for a player of key position size.
13 players hit the scoreboard for the Magpies including eight multiple times, Will Howe and Hamish West kicking four each.
Mitchell Tonna also impressed in his first senior hit-out since round three while key defenders Joel Zietsman and Trent Papworth were steadfast in defence.
With just three matches remaining before the finals, the Magpies appear to be rounding into top shape, having won its last two outings by a combined margin of 195 points, kicking 55.43 in that period.
A costly final quarter in which they conceded the final five goals saw Gembrook Cockatoo blow the chance to rejoin the winner’s list in an impressive performance against Woori Yallock at home.
Only 10 points separated the two at the final break before the Brookers fell-away, losing 12.11 83 to 19.12 126.
With the returns of Michael Firrito, Matt Frazzetto, Callum Bourne and Josh Tilly from injury, and Josh Smith’s availability from Frankston’s VFL side, the Brookers fielded one of its strongest sides of the year to date, and certainly the most formidable in recent weeks.
Gembrook Cockatoo coach Brad Coller was proud of his side’s ability to respond after a tough week against Narre Warren, and take the fight to a premiership contender in the Tigers.
“We were probably unlucky not to be infront at three-quarter-time,” Coller said.
“A couple of things didn’t go our way, but in the first three quarters we played some really good footy, probably the best we’ve played in the last month or so. Maybe we’ve forgotten how to win a little bit.
“Woori Yallock are an experienced side, they’re sitting third on the ladder and played in a grand final last year.”
Michael Firrito kicked four in his first contest since round eight, playing deep forward as Jay Verhagen and Myles Wareham played further up the ground.
It was the Brookers’ second-highest team score for the season, but the other end of the ground was where they fell short in Coller’s mind.
Mitchell Arnold and Joshua Neal kicked five each for the Tigers as two keys to their victory, and Zack Monkhorst two.
“We still had our three key defenders missing, in Dean Smith, Daniel Welsh and Frank Didonato. You add those three and we might have got over the line with that extra help down back, because that’s where we fell down in the last quarter.
“We went a bit stronger in the midfield and forward to try and win the game rather than save it, and it probably backfired on us a little bit. But in the end you’ve got to take the risk to try and get the win.”
The immaculate form of Aaron Firrito continues, with Coller declaring the last month was “as good as I’ve ever seen him play.”
At Mt Evelyn, the Rovers held off a fourth-quarter fightback from the Hawks to return to fifth place on the table thanks to a seven-point win, 13.10 88 to 11.15 81.
The Rovers led by 11 points at three-quarter-time before the Hawks kicked five goals in a marathon 36-minute final quarter.
Monbulk kicked the first two of the final term, with a Mackay Bateson snap in the 18th snatching the lead.
Jed Thompson responded to put the Rovers back in-front before three goals in two minutes broke the contest open, giving the home side a 24-point lead.
Monbulk kicked the final two of the contest giving the Rovers an awkward three-minute period in which to maintain their ascendency, which they successfully negotiated.
Nicholas Hoskin, Riley Baxter and Ryan Fooks were among Mt Evelyn’s best, as were Josh Wentowrth and Kai Linde for Monbulk.
