AFTER a 981-day losing streak before breaking through this month for a victory, it took only seven days for Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s win No.2 under Dean Helmers, the Saints recording a commanding 61-point win over Koondrook-Barham at the weekend.
The Saints led at the first break and extended their lead each quarter thanks to an impressive nine-goal haul from explosive midfielder-turned-forward Brayden Pitcher. Pitcher’s impressive individual performance stole the show and gave the Saints’ faithful plenty of reasons to believe their club’s fortunes may be on the verge of turning around.
As impressive as the home side were, the Raiders were equally disappointing and unable to match the Saints’ contested dominance through the centre of the ground.
Matched against a team that is also expected to finish in the bottom half of the ladder, the Raiders appeared at times to be disinterested – especially in the second half as the game slipped away, with the Saints piling on nine goals to four.
John Wardle was a rock in defence for Tooleybuc-Manangatang, intercepting many of Koondrook-Barham’s forward entries. He and Peter Rothacker combined in the back half to start many of the Saints’ drives forward.
Alex Powell continued his good season and was again influential up forward and through the midfield, while Lachie Gleeson and Zac Nicholls turned in perhaps their best games for the season.
For the Raiders, Max Baldissera tried hard in defence, while Jordan Iudica, Jack Shannon and Lucas Iudica worked hard through the midfield to no avail.
Shannon has been a shining light over the past two weeks, despite the Raiders failing to secure any points from those games. Shannon is perhaps the most improved player at the Raiders, having been named among their better players four times in six games, but needs more help from teammates if Koondrook-Barham are to move forward.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang will be out to make it three straight wins when they face off against the winless Swan Hill this Saturday.
Koondrook-Barham will enjoy the week off before also looking to turn their season around against the Swans at home in their next match.
VOTES
3 votes Brayden Pitcher, Tooleybuc-Manangatang
2 votes John Wardle, Tooleybuc-Manangatang
1 vote Peter Rothacker, Tooleybuc-Manangatang
MATCH RESULTS
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG 5.6 10.7 13.10 19.12.126
KOONDROOK-BARHAM 3.0 6.2 7.4 10.5.65GOALS – TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG – Brayden Pitcher 9, Ryan Domaille, Ethan Goldfinch 2, Ben Arentz, Ryan Kliemt, Johnathon Marsden, Alex Powell, Shylo Smith, Richard Wardle 1.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM – Dwayne Weetra 3, Kye Attwell, Matthew Dean, Jake Dick-O’Flaherty, Reagan Hamilton, Jordan Iudica, Blake Watts, Kade Watts 1.BEST – TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG – Peter Rothacker, Brayden Pitcher, John Wardle, Alex Powell, Lachlan Gleeson, Zac Nichols
KOONDROOK-BARHAM – Max Baldissera, Jordan Iudica, Jack Shannon, Garry Lolicato, Lucas Iudica, Kye Attwell
