After a week off and a disappointing loss the week before, the Jerilderie Demons came out determined to get back on the winner’s list in their hit out against the Tocumwal Bloods in the seniors match.
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The Bloods were anticipating a ‘‘big task’’ at Jerilderie’s home ground on Saturday.
The first quarter saw Jerilderie kick four goals to Toc’s solitary goal from the boot of Charles McKenna who was playing deep forward.
Demon Cruz Nash had an impact when he took to the ground, showing some great skills in his debut, while Travis Lawton also played a quality game for the Jerilderie outfit.
At the first break, the Demons had established a handy 21 point lead.
The second term saw Jerilderie continue to move the ball well with Grant Patrick Smith rock solid in the backline, repelling countless attacking moves by the Bloods.
Sam Sleigh was elusive in the centre, picking up plenty of possessions as the Demons took a 43 point lead into half time.
Jerilderie maintained their intensity in the second half with Mitch Conlan showing some great marking up forward to finish the day with six goals, while Blair Henery dominated on the wing and chipped in with three goals.
In the end, Jerilderie ran away with a comfortable 76 point victory.
Final score: Jerilderie 16.16 (112) d Tocumwal 5.6 (36).
On the Bloods’ side, Rowe, Hore and Collins-Bye were their typical hard-working selves, generating midfield drive.
Ruckman and new Dad, Adam Kent, was getting his hands on the ball at most stoppages and doing some good work at ground level too. His follow up work was a real feature of his game.
Both Tocumwal and Jerilderie took the chance to rotate some younger players into the seniors match after injuries and unavailabilities decimated both sides’ selection sheet.
Trailing by six goals at halftime, Bloods coach Kade Rowe asked for effort with some players struggling to get themselves into the match.
Will O’Leary tried his heart out all day as did most of the back six who were under constant heat throughout the match.
Injuries sustained by Toc’s Tom Hatty and Ken Chellew halted rotations, allowing Baylee Morten, Blair Eddy, Patty Bennett and Jack Gowty to run on.
Best for Jerilderie: Mitchell Conlan, Grant Smith, Blair Henery, Sam Sleigh, Cruz Nash, Travis Lawton.
Best for Tocumwal: Adam Kent, Jacob Hore, Kade Rowe, Mitch Collins-Bye, Will O’Leary, Blair Eddy.
Jerilderie awards: Eagle i award – Grant Patrick Smith; Colony Inn award – Blair Henery; Sports Club award – Cruz Nash.
Tocumwal awards: 1st Incentive – Jacob Hore; 2nd Incentive – Will O’Leary; 3rd Incentive – Blair Eddy.
Tocumwal are looking forward to their match against Yarroweyah at the weekend, while Jerilderie will be playing Blighty, with both games at home.
Reserves:
A close, scrappy game on a freezing cold and wet day in Jerilderie saw Tocumwal’s reserves go down to the Demons.
With low numbers on Toc’s side, it was a pleasant surprise when the Bloods finished the first term with an 11 point lead.
In the second quarter the Demons regrouped and started to move the ball better, with Daniel Bryce picking up plenty of possessions and Harrison Curtin having a great game across the centre of the ground.
With only one point separating the teams at half time, the game was in the balance and both sides attacked the ball with ferocity.
Peter Cochrane played his best game for the season racking up plenty of possessions and Charlie Simpson was dangerous in front of goals, kicking two for the day in a low scoring match.
Jerilderie took a seven point lead over the Bloods into the final term and it was an arm wrestle with neither side getting an easy possession.
Lachie Westwood was hard at the ball, using his strength to break through tackles, while Greg Lawton got in and under, channelling his anger at the ball. In a tight even match, the Demons came away with a seven point win over the Bloods.
Final Score: Jerilderie 5.3 (33) defeated Tocumwal 4.2 (26)
Tocumwal are still in the top eight, but the next couple of rounds will be critical for the Bloods if they want a chance at finals.
Best for Jerilderie: Peter Cochrane, Daniel Bryce, Harrison Curtin, Greg Lawton, Charles Simpson, Lachlan Westwood.
Best for Tocumwal: Riley Colston, Jesse Colston, Glenn Braybon, Drew Eddy, Nathan O’Connell.
Tocumwal awards: 1st Incentive $50 – Riley Colston; 2nd Incentive $25 – Jesse Colston; Salon La Belle Haircut – Jay Buckley; Tocumwal Hot Bake – Nathan O’Connell.
Jerilderie awards: JFC award – Peter Cochrane; Colony Inn award – Daniel Bryce; Finley RSC award – Harrison Curtin.
Thirds:
With reduced numbers for both sides, there was plenty of open space and the Demons capitalised on the opportunity.
Zander Nash had a day out up forward kicking 12 goals, while Austin Mauger showed he could kick straight, finishing the day with four goals for the Demons.
Travis Lawton put in a best on ground performance, closely followed by his brother Justin, who was everywhere and also finished with four goals.
As the game wore on, Jerilderie continued to dominate over a very undermanned Tocumwal.
Cruz Nash played an exemplary game, starting in defence and then moving forward.
The Demons shared the ball well with good running and handball and an even contribution from the whole team.
Final score: Jerilderie 24.15 (159) def Tocumwal 0.0 (0)
Best for Jerilderie: Travis Lawton, Justin Lawton, Cruz Nash, Zander Nash, Austin Mauger, Adam Aylett.
Best for Tocumwal: Kane Wardlaw, Raymond Sutton, Pat Bennett, Blair Eddy, Jirra Letcher, Jack Gowty.
Jerilderie awards: JFC award – Travis Lawton; Finley RSC – Cruz Nash.
Tocumwal awards: Vanderhoek award – Kane Wardlaw; Wingates $20 voucher – Raymond Sutton.
Fourths:
From the first bounce, the pressure was good from the young Demons, but they were up against a talented Toc line-up.
Jerilderie’s Logan Eldridge and Angus Moloney stopped critical goals all day and Dan Eldridge had another consistent performance across half back creating drive forward, while the backline was under pressure with Kizzi Moore and Evan Lawton showing great attack on the ball.
Each quarter saw some improvement in regards to pressure and skills, but despite these efforts it wasn’t enough against the top of the ladder Tocumwal who ran away with an 85 point win.
Tocumwal’s Harrison Wilson got his debut with the fourths after a few away players.
Once the Bloods warmed up they began to dominate in the middle and Ryan Huang, Nate Grieves, Liam Sutton and Charles Locke all made smooth clearances.
Another great win sees this improving and eager young Bloods team still undefeated.
Final score: Tocumwal 11.19 (85) d Jerilderie 0.0 (0).
Best for Tocumwal: Rory Sheppard, Nate Grieves, Harrison Wilson, Jirra Letcher, Ryan Huang.
Best for Jerilderie: Angus Moloney, Logan Eldridge, Dan Eldridge.
Tocumwal awards: R & J Locke award – Rory Sheppard; Donovan Tainton award – Harrison Wilson; Peter Absolom & Paul Quick award – Nate Grieves; Coach’s award – Jirra Letcher.
Jerilderie awards: Kelly’s Home Daycare award – Angus Moloney; Colony Inn award – Logan Eldridge; Favara Farming award – Dan Eldridge; Jerilderie Bakery ‘Play of the day’ – Tony Guiciullo.