Demons deliver reality check to Boolarra

ROUND four was always going to deliver some home truths to clubs that had spent some time in struggle town as they attempted to find the sort of form that they had trained so hard for in the preseason.

The usual suspects had been up and about since round one, but there remained plenty of room for others who also wanted to remain in touch with the top group.

The “Clash of the Demons” was a match that made the mouth water, as Boolarra, unbeaten in the first three rounds for the first time since 2008, came to the home ground of an in-form MDU with a sharp focus on keeping that winning momentum intact.

What actually occurred however was somewhat of a reality check for the visitors as they went down 8-3-51 to 18-13-121.

“After competing with MDU for the first quarter it was all the home side after the first change,” Brendan Mason, Boolarra coach stated.

“They move the ball to an elite level and really opened us up through the middle of the ground. Their front half is littered with goal kickers and exposed our inexperienced back six with four regulars unable to take the field in today’s match.

“Bailey Flanigan was again in everything for us with Tristian Salerno thriving with his forced move into defence. This was undoubtedly his best game since returning to the club this year. 

“After a confidence-boosting 3-0 start to the year, it is a good reality check to have taken on MDU on their home deck.”

Boolarra, no doubt, will reset and reevaluate just where they are, because as good as they have been, even further improvement will need to be found, that might well be in the players missing from the weekend, game style or positional changes, MDU on the other hand have found their mojo and are quite happy where they are at this early stage of the year.

“Great win yesterday against a team who has started the year off so well,” Rhett Kelly, MDU coach said.

“We were a bit slow to start with a few skill errors in the first quarter, not allowing us to get our game going. We were able to correct that in the second and hit the scoreboard. Another great 21-player contribution with everyone playing their role. Was great to get around all the past players after the win and hear some great stories.”

The weekend was yet another opportunity to add to the many stories told over the weekend, and the fact that players of today were able to share with those of days gone past are the sort of memories for which we play this great game.