COLERAINE has set the benchmark for all other teams in the South West District Football Netball League (SWDFNL), accounting for Cavendish in a hard-fought top two encounter at Cavendish Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

A huge crowd was in attendance for the round three match-up, which was no doubt buoyed by the Red Gum Festival, combined with a Super Saturday round of fixtures for both football and netball that saw the two teams put on a display of tough hard football that was enjoyed by all.

The first quarter saw Cavendish kicking to the clubhouse end and Coleraine was switched on from the first ball-up, repeatedly attacked down the right wing that allowed them to dominate the first quarter by posting the only three majors of the quarter.

Cody Deutscher, Marcus Rhook and Patrick Sinnott all goaled for the visitors to open up a 17-point lead at quarter time.

Cavendish Coach, Clinton Thomas, gave his team clear instruction at the break to regroup and be more precise with their ball delivery and the Bloods responded.

Even though the home side played better in the second term, it was the visitors who made the telling possessions count by posting another three majors to lead by 27 points at the main break.

The standout player for the home side during the first half was full back, Adrian Burn, who kept Coleraine’s star full forward, Will Slattery, silent.

Slattery had kicked two bags of seven goals in the opening two rounds, but Burn’s impact kept Slattery statless in the first half.

At the long break it looked likely that Coleraine would run away with the win, but the home side returned to the fray with a determined approach to take the game right up to the Maroons.

The third quarter belonged to the Bloods, as the home side booted three goals to reduce the margin to only 16 points at the last change.

The home team needed to have the run in its legs for the final quarter if it was going to overrun the younger Maroons, and for the first 10 minutes of the quarter, the red and white did just that, but the Coleraine backs refused to see the ball pass the half-back line.

When the ball rebounded into the Coleraine forward line, Patrick Sinnott was in the vicinity to either take a telling mark or grab the crumbs, and his five goals for the afternoon was the best return of any forward on the park.

Only Cavendish’s Jonathan Coghlan (two goals) could manage more than one goal for the home team.

Sinnott’s performance was all the more remarkable considering he was making his return to the game after having surgery only five weeks ago.

Coleraine eventually finished 35-point winners, as its ball disposal by hand and foot was clean all afternoon, compared to that of the home side.

It wasn’t all bad for the Bloods, as the signs were there that Cavendish will be around the top of the ladder when finals time comes.

In a match where the attack of both teams was expected to dominate, it was the two backlines that stood tall with Coleraine’s Harry Armstrong his team’s best on ground, shading Burn from Cavendish who only allowed Slattery a couple of kicks for the day and no majors.

Coleraine Coach, Ryan McClure said after the match he asked the boys to be accountable for the way they played the game.

“No matter how Cavendish set up, we were to focus on getting it back on our terms,” he said.

“Sam McIntosh grew throughout the game and was among the best at the end, while Harry Armstrong kept us in it in the third (quarter) when our run and movement left us for a bit, he continued to attack while defending brilliantly.”

The 10.7 (67) to 4.8 (32) victory leaves Coleraine clear at the top of the premiership ladder, while Cavendish fell to fourth after the loss.

The Bloods cannot afford another loss, travelling to Tyrendarra in what is shaping as the standout match of round four, while Coleraine is also away to Branxholme-Wallacedale.

Branxholme-Wallacedale d. Heathmere

TWO evenly matched teams met at Branxholme on Saturday, as Heathmere made the trek up the highway with both teams looking to record their first win of the 2022 season.

It was the home side that would come away with the celebrations, as the Saints continued to build towards a possible finals place with a good hard-fought 9.12 (66) to 7.9 (51) victory against the Meres.

The Saints had been very close for the first three rounds of the season, having lost the opening two rounds by a combined tally of 42 points, pushing their rivals all the way in those games.

Of course, teams have been undermanned early in the season due to different events occurring and the dreaded COVID taking players from teams, but both teams were near full strength, and both produced a good quality football match.

The Saints jumped out to a 13-point lead at quarter time through a three goals to one first quarter.

From that point, the visitors were always playing catch up footy for the remainder of the match, but Heathmere embraced the task and won both the second and third quarters to trail by only five points at the final break.

Branxholme-Wallacedale took stock at three-quarter time and kicked the only major of the last quarter to eventually run out winners by 15 points, as the Meres could only manage a single behind for the last term.

Dartmoor d. Heywood

IN a hugely emotional day for the Dartmoor community, the Giants players came together to produce inspirational performances on the football ground, as the club began the way forward without Korrey Smith.

The Giants hosted the Heywood Lions and the visitors went into the match undefeated after the opening two rounds of the season and were primed to maintain that record, but the home side never allowed the Lions into the match.

With Christian Howlett playing his first match of the season after his recent wedding, the Giants had their focal point back in front of goals and the spearhead didn’t disappoint, kicking eight majors.

It was the leadership group of the Giants that stood tallest on the day, as Justin Eales bagged another best on ground performance with Jayden Polaski, Mark Cowland and Lachlan Polaski all playing their roles to perfection.

The even spread ensured the home side ran away with the game to win by 24 goals, 23.24 (162) to 3.0 (18).

You only needed to be in the rooms after the match to see what this victory meant to the club as a whole, as there was literally no room left as the club song was sung with gusto by one and all.

Tyrendarra d. Westerns

TYRENDARRA got back on the winners list in convincing fashion, as the Darras collected a percentage-boosting victory against Westerns at Alexandra Park on Saturday.

The Roos are doing it tough with player availability making it hard, with the blue and white forced to forfeit the reserves game to ensure the club had a full team for the senior clash.

Two scoreless quarters (first and third) didn’t help the home side’s cause, but the Roos were still in the match at halftime with Tyrendarra’s scoreboard advantage just 38 points.

The second half was all one-way traffic, as the visitors posted 15 goals while keeping the home side goalless to go on and collect a 21.19 (145) to 1.2 (8) victory.

Five goals to each of Jordie Withers and Beau Hutchinson gave the Darras twin avenues to goal, while the backline held firm all match long with Levi Chapman being adjudged as best on ground.

For the home side, Ethan Magann, Stephen O’Brien, Samuel Atchison, Lachie Warburton, Zac Duncan-Rethus and Nathan Mannix never stopped trying.

The win sees the Darras rise to second on the ladder.