WHAT started as an arm wrestle finished with a decisive victory in the top of the table clash between the two undefeated teams in the South West District Football League’s round five encounter between Dartmoor and Tyrendarra, with the scoreline reading an 11.15 (81) to 6.5 (41) victory to the Giants.

While Tyrendarra were holding on gainfully in the first half, with both midfields competing like one would expect in a top of the table clash, it was Dartmoor that kept their nose ahead in the opening half.

Dartmoor’s game style was well suited to a highly pressured contest, it was a simple plan based around gaining possession and metres through kicking for distance rather than precision.

Tyrendarra’s style of controlling the momentum using accurate short passing was difficult to sustain against the high pressure exerted by the Dartmoor midfield.

In the past few weeks, Tyrendarra has been able to control the speed of the game, this became problematic against Dartmoor the longer the game progressed.

In a high-pressure game having less reliance on one or two key targets made a significant difference to the end scoreline.

There was less reliance in Dartmoor’s Damian Monaghan and Steve Cameron with a much wider array of goal kickers, whereas Tyrendarra relied significantly on forward Jordi Withers.

Under relentless pressure from Dartmoor the second half scoreline blew out from a 15-point lead at half time to a comprehensive 40-point win to Dartmoor.

Giants senior coach Jayden Polaski said his side’s success came down to lifting their efforts in the second half.

“Tyrendarra were transitioning the ball well out of defence in the first half, we hung in there,” he said.

“We lifted our defensive efforts in the second half to reduce the amount of clear possession that they got.

“For us we learnt plenty from our game against Westerns where we slacked off in the second half.

“The players don’t want to let each other down, we have strong buy in.”

The game was well and truly decided by midway through the last quarter, however a 50-metre penalty based on a comment from the crowd was the final nail in the coffin.

Better players for Dartmoor were Kaleb Bowd, Jayden Polaski, Cody Benson, Lachlan Polaski, Steve Cameron, Alex O’Connell.

Tyrendarra’s standouts were Thomas Anthony, Dylan Murray, Lachlan Kirk, Tommy Haylock, Josh Atwell, Patrick Haylock.

Goal kickers for the Darras were Jordi Withers four, Alex Baker and Greg Hamilton one goal each.

For Dartmoor the even spread of goal kickers included Jordan Murphy three, Damian Monaghan two, singles to James Boulton, Sam Woodall, Jay Ropitini, Joseph Franklin, Kaleb Bowd, and Steve Cameron.

Nail biting finish

In a tough, dour struggle from start to finish Cavendish got their nose ahead in the final quarter to come out winners in the clash at Cavendish, 8.4 (52) to Westerns 6.12 (48).

Westerns’ rise in the SWDFL continues, with a lack of polish and precision the only thing preventing a more rapid rise up the ladder.

The capacity of Westerns to work hard at stoppages and to win the contested ball is to be admired, however there is work to be done in the way their ball is delivered, and the forwards’ capacity to convert in front of goal.

Under a mild autumn sky, the expectation would have been for a high scoring affair, but the uncompromising nature of the midfield battle meant that goals were hard won.

Scores were locked together at three-quarter time but Cavendish’s calmness in front of goal allowed them to convert their opportunities with a two goal to one last quarter.

Better players for Westerns were Mitch Riddell, Troy Lovett, Noah Knight, Cameron Geeson, Daniel Lynch, Joseph Saunders.

And for the winners Cavendish’s best were Aiden Luhrs, Spencer Beatty, Will Baulch, Nicholas Cotten, Ben Packman, Oliver Dinges.

Cavendish relied heavily on the straight shooting of Aiden Luhrs for four goals with singles to Brodhi Carracher, James Huff, Steven Hurley, and Ben Packman.

For Westerns, the skilful Ash Hill kicked two goals with singles to Matthew Stephens, Joseph Saunders, Daniel Lynch, and Noah Knight.

Second quarter blitz

For three quarters Heywood and Branxholme-Wallacedale were evenly matched. If not for a six-goal burst to Heywood in the second quarter this game would have gone down to the wire.

The final result was Heywood 13.5 (83), to Branxholme-Wallacedale 8.5 (53).

Heywood had two dominant forwards who were a handful all day for the Saints’ defence, Leon Davis was again amongst the goals, kicking four.

Dane Handreck returned to form as he also had four goals, creating headaches with his size and aerial dominance in the Heywood forward line.

Branxholme with a well-structured game plan is on the rise, but small lapses during key moments are being capitalised upon by more polished opponents.

In a changing of the guard many of the younger players were named in the best for Heywood with Handreck named best afield alongside Jed Saunders, Jarrod Donovan, Mark Troeth, Jesse Ryan, and Brad Martin.

The Saints’ best were Adam Stirling, Samuel Lambevski, Tim Kealy, Jesse Walker-Gould, Jayden Walter, and Kieran Barker.

Heywood’s dominant goal kickers were the evergreen Leon Davis and Dane Handreck with four goals each. Two goals to Jed Saunders and singles to Aaron Barr, Leroy Malseed, and Corey Brown.

Branxholme’s goal kickers were less spread with Barker kicking four along with Lambevski and Sean Picken having two goals each.

Tough day out for Meres

What started as a positive day for Heathmere with a small deficit at the end of the first quarter against Coleraine, blew out as the game progressed.

A low scoring start to the game had Heathmere well in the contest.

Their midfield and defensive structures were holding up well, however a tidal wave of goals began with a seven goal second quarter and finished with a 10-goal final quarter to Coleraine.

The final result was 28.8 (176) to Coleraine, to Heathmere’s 6.5 (41).

Coleraine’s sharpshooter Will Slattery had a standout game with 11 goals, and across the board Coleraine’s conversion and polish up forward was outstanding.

The conversion rate of 28 goals from 36 shots indicates the quality in ball delivery to their key forwards and their ability to finish off the clever work from further afield.

As we have come to expect from Heathmere they battled to the end, but the quality and depth of talent at Coleraine took its toll as the game went on.

Goal kickers for Coleraine, a dominant Slattery with 11, Jackson Templeton five, Brayden Manders three, Liam Kaine three, James Plunkett two, and one goal each to Sam Tooley, Nate Krause, Marcus Rhook and Angus Lambert.

Goal kickers for Heathmere were Jamie Eccles two, singles to Ian Smyth, Jason Chevalier, Luke Driscoll, and Ayden Perkins.

Coleraine’s best were familiar names, Sam Tooley, Will Slattery, Alexander Richardson, Harry Armstrong, Liam Kaine, Jackson Templeton.

Heathmere’s best was Jamie Eccles, Christopher Phillips, Billy Lette, Kristopher Hill, James Grislis and Cooper Barclay.