NULLAWIL stood up on one of the biggest stages apart from the Golden Rivers Football League grand final, defeating Wandella 10.13 (73) to 7.10 (52) in Sunday’s AFL Victoria Game of the Month.
Both sides, who last met in the 2014 preliminary final, went into the game with plenty to prove, and the match began with a finals like intensity, and a physicality level that had rarely been seen in this league for a long time.
Players were throwing themselves at contests with high tackling pressure and a high stoppage rate.
Wandella kicked with the aid of a slight breeze during the first quarter and looked to make the most of it with deep entries inside 50.
Kyle Gillingham was a real target down forward, while the elusive Daniel Baker showed glimpses of his talent in slotting a goal.
Despite this, the home side was able to hold their own and not give up too big of a lead with the wind.
Their defence in Jarrod Kemp and Kal Heslop held up well to the barrage of ball and kept the Maroons in the match.
For full match details, and other game reviews, see Wednesday’s edition of The Guardian (May 6, 2015).
