Sport
26 June, 2023
Navarre holds off gallant Avoca
NAVARRE 10.9 (69) def AVOCA 8.3 (51) In what was a hard-hitting, ferocious encounter, with a number of skirmishes through-out the game, the Grasshoppers won by 18 points, but it wasn’t an easy victory by any means. It was Avoca that put the first...
NAVARRE 10.9 (69) def AVOCA 8.3 (51)
In what was a hard-hitting, ferocious encounter, with a number of skirmishes through-out the game, the Grasshoppers won by 18 points, but it wasn’t an easy victory by any means.
It was Avoca that put the first goal on the board through playing-coach Zack Lubeek inside two minutes, but it was answered almost immediately when Cody Driscoll kicked his first of five goals for the day.
Navarre kicked two more for the term as they controlled the play better with their forwards showing more experience around the goal mouth, but Lubeek also goaled again for Avoca, and it was an 11-point lead to Navarre at quarter time.
Navarre were putting on a show for their reunion crowd and kicked the first three goals of the second quarter, but Jason Hunt stood up for the Bulldogs when he took two strong marks in succession, with both resulting in goals.
Youngster Campbell Blair had a long shot on goal after the siren and the goal umpire awarded a goal, but the umpires had a discussion and the decision was overturned, which left the margin at 16 points in Navarre’s favour at half time.
Once again Navarre had control in the early stages of the third quarter, but Zack Lubeek kicked his third goal to give the Bulldogs a sniff, and they trailed at three quarter time by 28 points.
On past form one could be forgiven for thinking Navarre would run away with the game, but the Bulldogs finished strongly in the final quarter kicking three goals while holding the home team to just one goal to Ash Driscoll.
Navarre’s best was Jayden Fowkes, Josh Fowkes, Billy Driscoll, Billy Parry, Louis Hannett and Cody with his five goals.
Avoca’s latest form improvement suggests that they are not far off a victory and their best players named were Sean Moyle, Jaye Farnsworth, Scott Cawthan, Darcy Carey, Bryce Howell and Lubeek.