Sport
22 May, 2023
Harcourt last team standing after thriller
HARCOURT 11.4 (70) def TRENTHAM 9.9 (63) The game of the round at Harcourt Recreation Reserve on Saturday lived up to what was expected in a thrilling encounter, in which the home team took control early, but the visiting Trentham kept coming in the...
HARCOURT 11.4 (70) def TRENTHAM 9.9 (63)
The game of the round at Harcourt Recreation Reserve on Saturday lived up to what was expected in a thrilling encounter, in which the home team took control early, but the visiting Trentham kept coming in the second half, eventually falling short by seven points.
Harcourt opened the game full of run and were well on top in the opening term as the Saints were found wanting. The Lions were extremely accurate kicking five straight goals to the Saints’ one goal and one behind.
Cam Anderson was getting plenty of early possessions and the Lions’ goals were shared amongst five individual goal scorers.
The Saints started to mount a challenge in the second term, but whenever they would goal, Harcourt would answer. Keogh kicked two early goals for the Saints, but Anderson answered them both with goals of his own, including being on the end of an amazing piece of work from Baxter Gurd.
Tempers flared at times during the term resulting in 50-metre penalties to both teams resulting in goals. Harcourt led by 21 points at half time.
Joel Cowan was relatively quiet in the first half, but he awakened in the second half to have the ball on a string. However, the third quarter was a struggle as both teams found it difficult to get on the scoreboard and at three quarter time it was a 14-point lead to Harcourt.
Nathan Rodgers was sensational for the Saints in the final term, kicking the first goal to reduce the margin to just five points, after Winnard had previously hit the post. Rodgers continually drove the ball forward for the Saints, but the defensive pressure was too much as the Lions defenders repelled each challenge.
The final siren was nearing when Darby Semmens kept a cool head and instead of blazing at goals, he chipped the ball to the waiting arms of Brayden Frost in the goal square who kicked the sealer for the Lions to remain undefeated at the top of the ladder.
Best players for the Lions were Kyle Hamilton, Semmens, Frost, Jeffrey McMurtrie, Edward Coulthard and Anderson, who slotted four goals for the victors.
The Saints were well served by Rodgers, Dylan Holden, Alister Ferrier, Cowan, Harrison Knight and Hayden Sundblom.