Bombers in big victory

THE Emerald Football Club hosted its first home game of the season at Chandler Reserve in perfect football conditions. A very big crowd turned out to watch a great game of footy.
Seniors
Emerald 19.22.136 d South Belgrave 10.10.70.
BOTH sides came out determined to stamp authority on the game, however South Belgrave got away at the start and posted a couple of quick goals before Emerald had a chance to score.
Soon after this, Emerald started to come back and levelled the scores. A few stray kicks found the points tallying up quickly. Emerald managed to go into the first break 4 points clear but had the majority of the play.
The second quarter again saw Emerald with the majority of the play, but found it very difficult to convert accurately, scoring 4.8 for the quarter to South’s 3.1.
The Emerald boys then started to take control of the game in both the third and final quarters with a 5.2 and 7.6 quarters to South 3.2 and 1.5 making it a comprehensive victory to the Emerald Bombers.
Best: The coach has nominated this as a team effort.
Goals: N. Ferrari 6, S. Williams, C. Marsh 3, S. Cusworth, L. McCombe 2.
Reserves
South Belgrave 16.12.108 d Emerald 5.13.43.
AFTER just getting over the line last week, Emerald went into this match with a bit of confidence. With full numbers at training, the U18s were not required and a handful of players unfortunately missed out on a game.
South Belgrave got the jump on Emerald in the first quarter kicking 7 goals to 1, leaving Emerald to play catch-up football for the remainder of the match.
The second quarter was a better effort, holding South Belgrave to 2 goals, with Emerald kicking 1 goal.
The third quarter was evenly contested, however the final quarter saw South Belgrave’s superior fitness kick away from Emerald and run away victors.
Best: J. Lanyon, M. Alenson, R. Ashenbrenner, P. Brocklesby.
Goals: G. Sewell 2.
Under 18
Emerald 15.13.103 d South Belgrave 9.5.59.
EMERALD’S U18s, played last year’s Grand Finalist winners who beat the team twice last year with the final kick of the match, so Emerald had something to prove. They started well with lots of run out of the centre.
Dave Reily was running off his player with speed and Jesse Mather was a great target up forward and went in at half time with a 5 goal break.
South Belgrave came back in the third quarter and outscored Emerald by 1 goal.
The boys were asked to lift during the three-quarter huddle and responded by moving the ball more freely and a combination of strong defence by Donald Alenson, assisted by Kristian Fidanza and Ben Carr saw the team running out comfortable winners.
Best: B. Carr, D. Alenson, J. Mather, K. Fidanza.
Goals: J. Mather 6, R. Stewart 3.
Netball
Emerald 38 d South Belgrave 20.
ROUND 3 saw Emerald play South Belgrave at home. The game began at a fast pace with the mid court from both sides setting the speed.
Half time saw Emerald up by an encouraging margin because of the accurate shooting of Emerald’s goalers. This was continued into the second half and a strong defence saw the Emerald girls have a convincing win.
Best: A. McDonough, K. Griffin, M. Bagguley.
Goals: M. Bagguley 24, B. White 11, H. Kuys 3.