Sport
22 May, 2023
Drought-breaker for Dunolly
DUNOLLY 15.12 (102) def NAVARRE 11.12 (78) Perhaps in the scheme of things, there’s a situation where Dunolly could look back on this game as a turning point in their season. But with the Eagles sitting 1-4, and having lost all their previous...
DUNOLLY 15.12 (102) def NAVARRE 11.12 (78)
Perhaps in the scheme of things, there’s a situation where Dunolly could look back on this game as a turning point in their season.
But with the Eagles sitting 1-4, and having lost all their previous encounters with Navarre since the Hoppers’ admission in 2011, including a 155-point loss in their last meeting, they swept aside all that to take a memorable win.
A four-goal to two opening stand was the tonic the Eagles needed as they opened up a 12-point lead going into the first change.
A problem for the Eagles this season has been putting together four quarters, and there would have been a nervous disposition across Deledio Reserve when the Hoppers peppered the goals in the second term, but could only register three goals from nine scoring shots, taking a four-point lead into the main change.
The third quarter saw Dunolly get back on track and own the quarter, kicking five goals, while restricting Navarre to two. That saw them turn the game around, leading by 14 points at the lastbreak.
In a high-scoring final term, the Eagles kicked another five goals, while Navarre added four goals. But it was Dunolly’s day — an important victory which kept them in the frame for a top eight spot.
Daniel Trull was best on ground for the Eagles, with Lloyd Needs and Jordan Waldron kicking four goals apiece. Joshua Goodman, Jack Webster and Nathan Murphy were also among the better players.
Navarre now slip to eighth, with Harry Bigmore, Jayden Fowkes, Billy Driscoll, Josh Fowkes, Louis Hannett and Brady Tillig the better players for the Hoppers.