A MIDFIELD masterclass has helped Koondrook-Barham secure back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019, with the Raiders defeating reigning premiers Nyah-Nyah West United by nine points on Saturday.
The home side dominated the contest for three-and-a-half quarters, getting out to a 44 point lead midway through the final quarter, before the Demons kicked six unanswered goals to come storming back into the match.
In the end, the 12.11 (83) to 11.8 (74) score line flattered NNW United, who were thoroughly outplayed for the majority of the match by a Koondrook-Barham side that not only controlled the game on the inside, but outran and outgunned the normally aggressive Demons on the outside.
The first quarter was an early indicator of things to come, with Koondrook-Barham kicking the first four goals of the match, with key forwards Kyall Parker (three goals), Kye Attwell (two goals) and Ryan Bassett (two goals) all hitting the scoreboard in the first term.
The three key forwards would prove to be a handful right throughout the afternoon for the undersized Demons defence, with Attwell dominating in the air and providing the Raiders with a potent marking target inside their attacking 50.
Parker was set the task of quelling the influence of NNW United’s Joel Walsh, which he was able to largely achieve throughout the match, despite Walsh still having an impact with his ability to hit targets off half back.
Although Walsh was far from his dominant best, he was far from the Demons worst and more importantly wasn’t alone, with many of NNW United’s prime movers having minimal impact on the game.
Koondrook-Barham on the other hand had plenty of ball winners, especially through the midfield, with Benji Neal, Lee Dale, Harry Bremner and Patrick Goble all finding plenty of the ball.
Neal and Dale were especially influential around the stoppages, with the pair helping the Raiders control the contest on the inside and nullify the Demons running game.
NNW United were simply unable to get any form of link up run going, with the reigning premiers instead forced to move the ball by foot, which didn’t help in finding targets inside a packed defensive 50.
Koondrook-Barham on the other hand owned the corridor, with the Raiders bringing the ball back through the middle with clever ball use and forward handball, with their speed of ball movement allowing Attwell, Parker and Bassett to compete one-on-one in the air.
Although NNW United had patches where they wrestled back the momentum, including in the second quarter, they were simply unable to retain control, with either their lack of forward options or turnovers costing them possession.
Jordan Iudica worked hard all day and was among the Demons better players, as was Ben Shadbolt on the wing, Cooper Andrews in defence, along with Zak O’Shannassy and Brady Davidson, but their winners were too few and far between.
The Raiders on the other hand had winners on every line, with Matt Bilton another recruit who showed that he will be a handful to contain both up forward and on-ball the longer the game progressed.
Rubbing further salt into the Demons wounds was a corked thigh to Charlie Boulton, with the forward coming from the field and failing to return after half-time.
Boulton is expected to be fit to take on Woorinen after the Easter break in what looms as an early season defining contest on Anzac Day, while Koondrook-Barham will test themselves against the undefeated Mallee Eagles.
VOTES
3 – Kye Attwell (Koondrook-Barham)
2 – Benji Neal (Koondrook-Barham)
1 – Matt Bilton (Koondrook-Barham)
