Sport
21 August, 2023
Navarre take psychological edge into elimination final
NAVARRE 17.19 (121) def NEWSTEAD 2.7 (19) Navarre delivered a psychological blow on Saturday as they disposed of Newstead by 102 points. The two teams will meet again in next week’s elimination final, and on evidence, the Kangaroos will need to...
NAVARRE 17.19 (121) def NEWSTEAD 2.7 (19)
Navarre delivered a psychological blow on Saturday as they disposed of Newstead by 102 points.
The two teams will meet again in next week’s elimination final, and on evidence, the Kangaroos will need to improve if they wish to keep their season alive.
Either way, the Kangaroos have improved sufficiently enough to make the leap into the top eight thanks to their fast start to the season, an impressive effort despite losing their final seven games of the home and away campaign.
On Saturday, they had their chances to impact the scoreboard early, but could only muster five behinds, while Navarre kicked two goals from eight scoring shots to lead by 13 points at the first break.
It was all Navarre in the second term as they kicked four goals from 13 scoring shots, while holding the Kangaroos scoreless, to lead by 46 points at the main break.
The Hoppers got their game well and truly going in the third term as they kicked seven goals to just one behind to extend their lead to 88 points at the final change.
Four goals to two in the final term saw the Hoppers break past the 100-point barrier.
Billy Hawkes has been in good form since his mid-season arrival, and he was best on ground by kicking four goals, with Ash Driscoll, Josh Fowkes, Jayden Fowkes, Brady Tillig and Matthew Arbuckle also named in the best.
Angus Mayes, Bradley Richardson, Heath Lawrence, Jedd Pedretti, Tyler James — who kicked both of the Kangaroos’ goals — and Todd Delahey were all named in Newstead’s best.