BALRANALD have broken their two-game losing streak with an emphatic victory that featured 10 individual goalkickers against Lake Boga.
The Roos burst out of the gates to kick eight first-quarter goals, before piling on the misery to win by 94 points, 18.18 (126) to 4.8 (32).
The win kept Balranald in fourth spot, ahead of Woorinen by percentage and just half a game behind Mallee Eagles and the top three.
While the Roos’ early onslaught set the tone of the game, their defenders were also impressive as they held the Magpies goalless for the opening term.
Balranald co-coach Tom Lister said he was pleased by his team’s ability to hold the upper hand in attack and defence.
“Jydon (Neagle) and I just asked our boys to go out there and play the way we want to play footy, to have that trust in our systems and ignore any of that outside noise,” he said.
“The most pleasing part of that first quarter was that we had the ability to keep them scoreless, while our back line had taken a bit of a hit in recent weeks.
“We’re moving blokes around or bringing them in to fill the spots left in the absence of guys like Jack Salau.
“We’re a bit of a defensive-minded team, everyone here trains in defence, so it’s a real credit to our boys that they buy in and are willing to do a job no matter what.”
Lake Boga hit the scoreboard in the second quarter, kicking three goals to the Roos’ two.
However, the Roos squandered chances, kicking six behinds, having peppered Lake Boga’s back line with repeat entries.
While the scoreboard may show the Roos had some inaccuracy in front of goal, an ability to get the ball forward and rebound off half-back outshone any wayward kicking.
Rory Fitzgerald starred across multiple roles, with Lister describing his match as “the best game I’d seen from him”.
In his first senior match since round 8, Jarryd Stead led the charge for the Roos with four goals, while Seth Connell and Lachlan Lellmann kicked three and two respectively.
The battle between midfield bulls Kobe Lloyd and Aaron Lonergan entertained both sets of supporters as neither player backed down from the contest.
Magpies defenders Zac Warne and Nelson Ibbs battled hard throughout the match, with Warne named Lake Boga’s best for his tireless work of half-back.
Lake Boga ruckman Charlie Bryan worked all day against Balranald’s Jordan Wilkins, while David Gourdis was the Magpies’ only multiple goalkicker with two.
Drew Lloyd continued his strong season for the Roos, kicking three goals for the game and stamping his influence on the match from the outset.
Lister described Lloyd’s performance as “huge”.
“Drew just does what Drew does, we don’t have to ask him to go out there and give his all,” he said.
“Since we lost Jydon and a couple of others, Drew has really stepped up and just gone to a whole new level.
“That’s just the way he is, and he knows how much talent he brings to our team.
“But talent only gets you so far, we were most impressed by his drive – he had three or four really good chase-down tackles in the game.
“When you have blokes who want to do that, that’s what makes the difference.”
While Lake Boga have the bye next week, Balranald will travel to Kerang for a rematch of last year’s grand final.
Lister said his side were raring to go for a shot at the Blues on their home ground.
“We really can’t wait for the chance to take on the reigning premiers at their home ground,” he said.
“What a time to potentially get our mojo back.”
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Balranald | 8.5 | 10.11 | 13.15 | 18.18 | 126 |
| Lake Boga | 0.0 | 3.2 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 32 |
VOTES
3 – Drew Lloyd (Balranald)
2 – Rory Fitzgerald (Balranald)
1 – Harrison Soraggi (Balranald)
