OVENS AND MURRAY PROVE TOO STRONG

By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS

The WRFL Senior Representative side couldn’t match it with a talented Ovens and Murray side, losing by 76-points in Saturday’s WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships clash in Yarrawonga.

Ovens and Murray was too strong on their home turf, scoring quick goals in the first quarter, giving them a lead that proved insurmountable.

Coach Brodie Holland said despite a disappointing first quarter, his team didn’t give up and battled hard all afternoon.

“We were a little bit off early, but after quarter time I thought we battled away and gave it a good contest,” he said.

“We tried really hard and some things didn’t come off. We were outclassed in the end.

“I am proud of the boys. I couldn’t of asked for anymore.

“Our pressure at the contest was quite good, I just think we were outclassed and they had a lot more experience out on the ground, players that have played VFL and AFL footy.”

Werribee Districts star Daniel Schibeci kicked two goals, as did St Albans’ Ben Said. Liam Cavanagh played well, but the WRFL’s best was Tigers young gun Nick Buykx, who was awarded the best on ground medal.

“Buykx ran really hard and used the ball well and was great for four quarters,” Holland said.

For Ovens and Murray, Michael Newton kicked five goals, Jydon Neagle kicked three.

Despite the loss, Holland said he enjoyed the Interleague experience and said all the players who pulled on the WRFL jumper should be proud for showing great commitment to the program and league.

“Regardless of the outcome you do what you can for the league and try to represent as best as possible,” he said.

“It would have been nice to put the WRFL on the map a little bit more, but that’s the way it goes.”

The WRFL is now ranked seventh on the on the WorkSafe AFL Victoria ladder.

OMFL – 21.14 (140) to WRFL – 9.10. (64)

Goals:

O&M: Michael Newton 5, Jydon Neagle 3, Luke Garland 2, Brayden O’Hara 2, Joe Richards, Matt Grossman 1, Brandon Symes 1, Lachie Taylor-Nugent 1, Harrison Wheeler, 1, Mark Whiley.

WR: Ben Said 2, Daniel Schibeci 2, Nicholas Buykx 1, Jason Cooke 1, Kyle Galloway 1, Laclan Tanner 1, Richard Wuruki-Barba 1.

Best:

OM: Harrison Wheeler, Mark Whiley, Dylan Van Berlo, Jydon Neagle, Lachie Taylor-Nugent, Matt Dussin.

WR: Nicholas Buykx, Tom Donoghue, Liam Kavanagh, Daniel Schibeci, Ben Said.