GVL | Gallery | Ovens and Murray claim Ash-Wilson trophy with dominant interleague win over GVL

By Zac Standish

May 30, 2022

Hot contest: Mooroopna’s Chris Nield gets a quick kick away under Daniel Sharrock pressure. Photo by Aydin Payne

Ovens and Murray Football Netball League proved itself to be top dog in Battle on the Border, dismantling Goulburn Valley League 18.11 (119) to 9.10 (64) in their interleague clash at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

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Retaining the Ash-Wilson trophy, O&M led at every change in what was as clinical a performance as you’ll see on the interleague stage.

Highlighted by a dominant display from Wangaratta’s Joe Richards through the midfield and five goals from Leigh Williams up forward, the boys in gold and black got contributions from all over the park, with the GVL simply unable to stop its class and speed.

GVL interleague coach Paul Newman said his team was simply outclassed by a much stronger O&M.

“They (O&M) were just excellent. They had some smooth movers all over the ground and speed on the ball we just weren’t able to contain,” Newman said.

“They also had a couple of imposing forwards that put us under pressure, but I thought up until the last 10-15 minutes we were fighting hard and stayed in the game.

“At the end of the day they had a bit more class and were stronger for longer.”

Dominant performer: O&M spearhead Leigh Williams was the standout forward on the ground, kicking five goals. Photo by Aydin Payne

In what many describe as one of the fiercest rivalries in country football, it was a hot start to proceedings, with GVL dominating the opening minutes and kicking the first goal courtesy of Brad Ryan.

But once the O&M boys settled into the contest they began to flex their muscles, reeling off four answered goals in the shadows of the first change to lead by 18 points.

Let’s go: Rochester’s Steven Stroobants and Tatura’s Brad Ryan celebrate a goal. Photo by Aydin Payne

Carrying all the momentum, O&M continued its dominance into the second term, adding another two majors to have the home side at risk of being blown away.

But to the GVL’s credit, it managed to get the game back on its terms late in the second, with crucial majors to Zac Keogh and Steven Stroobants leaving the margin at 20 points at half-time.

Wrapped up: Kyabram’s Kaine Herbert is tackled by Jake McQueen. Photo by Aydin Payne

Needing to come out of the rooms firing, the GVL kicked the first of the second half to have the margin trimmed to 14 points.

But in what turned out to be the tale of the day, whenever it looked like the home side could catapult itself into the lead, the O&M hit back hard, as Williams and Jacob Conlan got on top up forward to get the lead north of 40 points.

Giving it everything: Mansfield’s Patrick Marks spoils the ball. Photo by Aydin Payne

In desperate need of a spark, Newman threw swing man Lachie Smith from defence into attack and reaped instant rewards, with the Kyabram star kicking four second-half goals to keep his team in the hunt heading into the final term.

Swingman: Kyabram’s Lachlan Smith had an instant impact up forward, kicking four second half goals. Photo by Aydin Payne

“It wasn’t the first time we have been able to swing Lachie forward at club level and get the job done, so to see him have an impact up in attack was very pleasing,” Newman said of the mid-game switch.

Run and carry: Mansfield’s Patrick Marks had an excellent game on the wing for the GV. Photo by Aydin Payne

“It was probably a case of us lacking that big figure up forward to take a mark or bring the ball to ground, and I thought he did a great job.”

Entertaining battle: Kyabram’s Zac Norris and O&M big man Isaac Muller battled hard in the ruck all day. Photo by Aydin Payne

While Smith’s exploits kept the home side believing, weight of numbers would eventually win out in the final quarter, as O&M kicked away again to claim a substantial 55-point win.

Determined: O&M’s Jamie Anderson gives off a quick handball. Photo by Aydin Payne

For the home side, Kyabram duo Keogh and Smith were the standouts, while Mansfield’s Patty Marks, Echuca’s Ben Reid and Mooroopna’s Chris Nield also impressed in the loss.

Newman said it was fantastic to see interleague football return, despite a disappointing crowd.

Jostling for position: Kyabram’s Tom Holman and O&M’s Isaac Muller contest the ruck. Photo by Aydin Payne

“I thought it was really good. It would have been nice to see a few more people here, but it is probably one of those things that might take a bit of time to gather some steam,” he said.

“Today was a great starting point though. The boys are competitors and I thought they really cracked in, had a go and represented the jumper with pride.”