MACORNA came to Nullawil on Saturday in search of redeeming themselves after a pair of Golden Rivers Football League (GRFL) losses in the past two weeks.
The Tigers had been in both games and been more than competitive but if they had any aspirations at winning the title this year then Saturday’s was a must-win game.
The Maroons started kicking with a slight breeze towards the Birchip end.
They went like a house on fire early with goals to Scott Mathiske, Matt Harrop and Sam Goldsmith setting them alight.
Late in the quarter goals to Michael Rowe and Brad Ladson made the scoreboard a respectable one with the wind.
It was the second quarter that absolutely killed the Tigers.
In a 10-minute spurt, the Maroons slammed home five goals to stretch the lead to 45 points.
The ruck duel between Arren Kielgardie and Spalding was a non-event with Kielgardie such a dominant force.
The third quarter began with a new approach from the Tigers.
Rowe was sent as a loose man in defence to stem the scoreline bleeding and coach Wayne Mitrovic — who started forward and had little influence on the match — threw himself in the midfield to inject more toughness.
The Maroons controlled the scrappy quarter and continued with possession being retained inside the attacking 50.
Inaccuracy also plagued the Maroons as they had kicked 2.10 for the quarter and could have absolutely destroyed the Tigers instead.
Nevertheless, Nullawil still led by 54 points at three-quarter time.
Daniel Needs got off the leash to begin the last quarter and kick his first goal in what had been a very quiet day for him.
Peter Wishart kicked his second as well and some form of respectability was being restored.
Reece Poyner replied for the Maroons, but Macorna’s best player for the day Brad Organ kicked the best major of the day with a raking right foot.
The teams continued to exchange goals in the final term but the sting had been taken out of the game.
The final margin ended up being 34 points, which probably flattered the Tigers.
They were out-played for a fair majority of the day and had few winners.
That being said, Nullawil also played extremely well, and is starting to prove itself as premiership contenders.
For other Golden Rivers, and for Mallee, footy reviews see Wednesday’s edition of The Guardian (May 15, 2013).
