Sport
20 May, 2024
Lions power away from Dons
MALDON 10.7 (67) def by HARCOURT 15.17 (107) Harcourt were superb in shutting down the in-form Maldon forward line, running away with the game after quarter time to make it 33 wins in succession with a 40-point win. It looked as though followers at...
MALDON 10.7 (67) def by HARCOURT 15.17 (107)
Harcourt were superb in shutting down the in-form Maldon forward line, running away with the game after quarter time to make it 33 wins in succession with a 40-point win.
It looked as though followers at Bill Woodfull Reserve was going to get a good contest on their hands in the opening quarter, with Maldon kicking four goals from eight scoring shots, and Harcourt kicking three goals themselves, with the Dons leading by seven points at the opening change.
But the Lions really kicked into gear in the second term, and played their best football, kicking six goals to two to turn the game in their favour, leading by 21 points at the main break.
The Lions got to enjoy much of the play in the third quarter, but inaccuracy also played their part as they were unable to completely put the game away, kicking two goals from seven scoring shots.
In comparison, Maldon were economical when the ball was forward of centre, kicking two goals to maintain some interest, trailing by 25 points at the final change.
The Dons kicked two of the first three goals of the final term to reduce the margin to 19 points, but it was all Harcourt from there as they kicked the final three goals of the game to have the game in their safekeeping.
It was a return to form of sorts for the Lions, who had struggled to overcome Trentham and the Maryborough Giants in recent weeks.
The ruck battle between Don Noah Thompson and Lion Jordan Gartside was a beauty, with both players showing their wares around the contest and their burst from stoppages, and each were named among the best of their respective sides.
Jacob Ede put together a complete performance for Harcourt, while Thomas Walters was also busy in the clinches. Thorne Wilson, Riely Thiesz and Braydon Vaz were also named in the best, while Jed Rodda kicked five goals.
Alongside Thompson, Damian Wust, Matthew Gray, Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Adam Robinson and Jordon Collins were named in the best for Maldon, with Leonard-Shannon maintaining his lead atop the goalkicking charts with four majors for the afternoon.
