Battle of the jungle cats

By Rover

STONY Creek recorded a comprehensive 77-point victory over Mirboo North in Saturday’s battle of the big jungle cats at Stony Creek’s superbly-surfaced racecourse oval.

Balmy 17C autumn sunshine and an ever-so-slight south westerly breeze meant weather conditions were as perfect as perfect can be for footballers, umpires and spectators alike.

From the outset, it was clear for all to see that Stony Creek had a better understanding of its game plan specifics and implementation of same, than the Tigers had of theirs.

In short, nothing much went right for the visitors, especially after getting jumped at the start of the match by Stony Creek.

To help bolster its ranks, Mirboo North brought in past senior premiership representatives, Alex Windsor and Dom Pinneri, plus Beau Peters, Leigh Jowett and newcomers, Thomas Harris and Connor White. 

Mirboo North was unable to close down Hayden Bull and veteran 326-game club stalwart, Jacob Byrnes, who booted seven and four goals respectively for Stony Creek. 

The pride of the Lions’ fast-moving running play was on full display in the first quarter, when they banged on 6.2 to the Tigers’ one major in 28 minutes of one-sided football.

Although Mirboo North only managed two behinds in the second quarter, the Tigers fought back hard and restricted the home side to two late goals, that increased Stony Creek’s lead to 44 points at the long break.

Dominant players in the first half for the Lions other than Bull and Byrnes, were Cameron Stone, Julian Stone, Tylah O’Connor Linke and John Phillips.

Stony Creek consolidated its authority in the third quarter with creative handball, hard running and classy foot disposals into and through the corridor, adding 4.1 to Mirboo North’s 2.3.

Carrot-top, Taj Wilkins, brought up Mirboo North’s third and final goal of the game with a long set shot, just before the three-quarter time siren.

Mirboo North’s only score in the last term came from its gallant giant ruckman, Patrick Lewis, whose booming 50-metre set shot missed by a whisker to the left side of the big white sticks.

Unable to overcome Stony Creek’s overall dominance, Mirboo North’s search for solutions was no hypothetical crisis; the Tigers’ plight represented football reality.

Despite being outplayed nearly all afternoon, Mirboo North didn’t stop running, jumping and tackling and striving to the end; they simply couldn’t put enough goals on the Alf Bright Memorial Scoreboard to be competitive. 

Best players for the Tigers were Jeremy Salinger, Lewis, Harry Mahoney, Windsor, Joe Brooks and Wilkins.

This Saturday, Mirboo North travels to Toora, in search of its first win of the 2024 season.