Demons dominate Tigers in 73-point blitz

By Rover

FINALS-BOUND MDU overpowered Mirboo North by 73 points in lovely 14-degree sunshine on winter solstice day at Tigerland, on Saturday.

MDU is currently safely nestled in Mid Gippsland’s top six with seven wins from its 10 matches so far this season.

The Demons’ impressive victory also helped them retain the Owen ‘Spud’ Harris Memorial Cup after victories in six of the 10 footy and netball clashes played between the clubs.

Talented thirds footballer, Tom McGrath, was playing his first game in the Mirboo North seniors.

In a fast and furious opening, Mirboo North led by a goal until MDU drew level, seven minutes into the second quarter. 

From that moment on, the Demons took control of the game with harder running, higher overhead marking, slicker hand passes and foot disposals that frequently found their intended targets.

MDU big guns, Lachie Wright and Nick Nagel, showed why extra-strong power forwards who are on song, are near impossible to stop in the air, with their seven and six goals respectively for the visitors.

Straight after Wright equalled the scores at 5.2 apiece, he, along with Nagel, were systematically involved in the next three majors, that quickly gave the Demons an 18-point advantage.

The Demons’ stride was now more purposeful than their opponents and their strength in the packs was as sturdy as a McPherson strut.

As well, MDU’s integrated transitional options confused the Tigers, whose increased mistakes were beginning to have negative consequences in their contested ball confrontations.

Further goals from Jarrod Hoy and Nagel followed before Rhys Kratzat kicked his fourth major, to reduce Mirboo North’s half-time deficit to 27 points.

Although Mirboo North managed to boot three third-quarter goals, MDU added another six majors to take its lead at the last change to 41 points.

Other Demons who helped put their side in a winning position included Shea Walsh, Alex Battersby, Josh Schelling, Trent McRae and Sammy Wilson. 

With the Demons running rampant in the final term, another six MDU kicks went through the big white sticks, whilst the Tigers could only manage three behinds.

Jesse Chila, Riley Oddy, Kratzat and Beau Peters kept battling away for the Tigers until the final siren sounded, to finally end MDU’s onfield domination. 

This Saturday, eighth-placed Mirboo North travels to the Foster Showgrounds to take on top-of-the-table Foster, in the hope of the visiting Tigers keeping their chances of competing in the 2025 finals, alive.