Injuries and ill-disciplined play mar match

POOWONG travelled to Nilma Darnum playing in all grades, the ground was good and the weather was good for Football. Poowong were forced to make six changes out were Josh Chivaroli, Mitch Cochrane, Tyran Lord out all injured, Mick Robertson work, Gavan Monson and Bryce Riddell managed replaced by Aaron Damon in for his first game u/18’s, David O’Neill u/18’s, Rory Nettle U/18’s Mitch Malloy, Ben Peters and Brady Rayner.

The game opened with Poowong kicking to the Warragul end in a game where both sides were looking for a win. Nilma Darnum opened with two points followed a left foot snap for a goal. Powong came back with a great goal to Jett Blackwood anU/18’s player. Nilma Darnum added a point before Ben Peters kicked Poowong’s second quickly followed by Jack Hazendonk’s goal from the pocket.

Poowong had a couple of opportunities the first was cleared and the second kick was out of bounds, Nilma Darnum brought the ball around the boundary and from a mark kicked their second. Jake Cochrane kicked Poowong’s fourth from a good mark in the pocket followed by a point on the siren.

Shaping up to be a great game of country football but players were frustrated, Jack Hazendonk, Connor Cunningham and Zac Gray were playing well, Nilma Darnum added two points before Luke James Nilma Darnum forward received a free kick in the FP to kick his 1000th goal a great achievement by Luke James – “Well done Luke”. Poowong added two singles before Mitch van’Tof on the HFF received a cut head in a contest and had to leave the ground and did not return for the day, will probably miss a week or two, a free kick was paid for holding the ball. Confusion reigned subsequently a Poowong player was sent off for 15 minutes. 

Unfortunately, player frustration and some ill-disciplined play was spoiling the game, hopefully after half time things would improve, Jack Hazendonk, Connor Cunningham, Zac Gray and Jett Blackwood were among the best for Poowong’s very young side, down a player for the rest of the game would make it hard. Poowong started well and had a number of opportunities only managing points before Rory Nettle goaled after a series of passes. Nilma Darnums free kick in front of goal found the big opening, a series of passes found Jack Hazendonk for  a point. Nilma Darnums marked in the pocket the kick was across the face of the goal for a point before they ran into an open goal. Poowong went forward and Jake Cochrane took a good mark for a goal, Nilma Darnum added two late goals mainly due to poor defence by Poowong backs allowing to much latitude. Three quarter time Nilma Darnum held a fifteen point lead 9.11.65 to Poowong’s 7.8.50.

Poowong, down a player and losing concentration after some frustrated calls, would have to work hard to win the game. Nilma Darnum came out and added two goals and a point to put the game out of Poowong’s reach. Rory Nettle added a goal as the ball landed at his feet but after Nilma added a goal from a snap and then a second goal only to receive another kick for a second goal, Nilma Darnum added a point then kicked one out of bounds and a goal. To Powongs credit they came back and added two goals one to Jarvis Brown and the second to Rory Nettle his second, plus three points. To finish a disappointing game of Football Nilma Darnum received a late free kick at CHB and after three 50 metre penalties to the goal square for a goal summed up the game.

Nilma Darnum played some good footy and were worthy winners, they will worry a few sides in the competition especially if Luke James plays. Poowong will have to regroup and improve their concentration and discipline in the coming weeks. 

Good strong wins in the U/16’s and U18’ the seconds struggled on the day, all teams have big games this week against Lang Lang at home, maybe we will be losing a couple of players, but we will soldier on whatever is thrown at us. See you at Poowong – good old country football being played remember that.