Mt Lilydale vs Hawthorn

Seniors

Mt Lilydale 9.7-61 defeated Hawthorn 5.6-36

Goal Kickers: M. Gower 2, J. Paull 2, J. Roberts 2, J. Baughan , A. Stuart , T. Wall
Best Players: J. Baughan, L. Powell, J. Paull, D. Cerra, L. Hickey, T. Wall

A dominant game by Extra Large Jim Baughan steered Mt Lilydale to a convincing victory over Hawthorn by 25 points.  It was a morale-booster win as the Hawks were in 6th place, out of the five on percentage.  Now Mt Lilydale is only 1 game out of the top 5, and if we work hard then this season can be successful.

Instrumental to the win was the backline led by Luke Fridge Hickey, restricting the opposition to only 4 goals.  Fridge, Lachy Powell and Nic Fish Hooke repeatedly outmarked and outbustled opponents, bursting through packs to drive the ball out of the defensive 50 and into attack.

Both teams started strongly in the match, with a relatively even first quarter. Strangely Hawthorn were kicking with the wind yet chose to play a loose man in defence.  Despite the conditions it was a quarter played at high speed, with the ball zinging up and down the ground.  Mt Lilydale's tackling started to make inroads, with terrific forward pressure leading to a free kick 20m out as the siren sounded.  A goal would have leveled scores, unfortunately the muddy ball slew from the boot of Bryn Hoops Boomsma.  The return of Hoops from injury was gratifying, he has huge presence on the forward line, competes for each ball and always provides an option.

In the second and third stanzas it was largely a 2 man show, with Big Jim deftly tapping the ball to the dashing Jamie 2Ft .  It was like watching the Eagles' Cox and Kerr as Mt Lilydale pumped the ball deep into attack.  The condition of the ground deteriorated, especially the centre square becoming a bog heap.  It meant that Mt Lilydale's run was crucial and the wings and flankers' hard work reaped the rewards of 6 goals to 1 in the two quarters.

With no wind after the last break and a fresh football, and holding onto a 4 goal lead it was important the Mt Lilydale held firm and kept their heads.  Hawthorn threw everything and a boot but their 2 goals were answered by a Mt Lilydale steadying goal.  The Rams ran out deserving winners and look to take that momentum into next week against top side Prahran.

Reserves

Mt Lilydale 3.6-24 lost to Hawthorn 6.11-47

Goal Kickers: R. Strong 2, A. Rodwell
Best Players: D. Johnson, A. Thorne, D. Evans, R. Strong, B. Oakes, R. Black

An improving Mt Lilydale reserves didnt win on Saturday but at times played terrific footy.  Unfortunately the team started poorly, Hawthorn scoring 4 goals in the opening quarter with the wind.  From there Mt Lilydale traded blows, and scores were level for Q2,3,4.  Its a pity that Q1 counts.

Mt Lilydale's preparation was not helped by late withdrawal of Jamie Lynch to a broken finger and some late arrivals.  However effort and team work were also late arrivals, and left a lot to be desired.

After the break the endeavour was lifted, and run for options improved.  The midget brigade of Dan DJ Johnson, Adam Frodo Thorne and Danny Evans on the ball were besting the bigger bodies of Hawthorn, while the biggest body of Ryan Chunks Rantall was thrown in the ruck and was making a loud impact.

Experienced heads in Andy Rodwell and Rusty Strong were finding the pill at both ends of the grounds, and the side started to believe.

After a slow start, Mt Lilydale kicked 2 goals with the wind, and then 1 into it, so that at the last break there was the sniff of victory.  Youngsters Chris Baughan, Jeremy Penhale and Dan Harris were full of run and pep while Benny Oakes was leading hard and strong from full forward.  By this stage the ground had churned into a mudheap and Hawthorn were able to shut down all scoring.  Finally the bell rang, and 23 point defeat to Mt Lilydale.  But for that first quarter, the result could have been so different.