Senior football
On Saturday the All Blacks took on an up-and-coming Moyhu who beat the senior side by more than 100 points earlier in the year.
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The All Blacks came out of the gates with the intention to be the more physical team, and did just that.
Led by Cody Crawford, the side hit every contest at full force, putting the opposition under immense pressure.
It was a low-scoring affair but the game was very intense with big plays and bigger hits.
Kyle Collison was awarded best on ground for his performance and he was everywhere.
His disposal were excellent even in the trying conditions and Collison always managed to find a target.
The improvement in this team over the last month has been great, the side knows it is limited with what it can achieve due to personnel and injuries but this is a super resilient group that does not quit and if the All Blacks can get some continuity in the side wins will follow.
Overall, this was the side’s best four-quarter performance of the season and the club is proud of the effort to turn a 102-point loss in round three into a draw in round four is a great achievement.
Next week the All Blacks travel to Bright in what is sure to be a tough contest and another very physical game.
A-grade
On Saturday All Blacks took on Moyhu who sits slightly higher on the ladder so the side knew it was to be a though hit-out.
The girls went out strong in the first quarter with plenty of pressure all the way down the court in fairly ordinary conditions to only be trailing by three at the first break.
Going into the second the intensity picked up and our girls had hands at everything, taking rebounds and intercepts wherever possible.
The second half slowed due to a shortage of players and too many changes having to be made, the girls struggled to pin the scoreline back. Despite going down by 16 there was lots of positives to come out of the day.
The goal this week was to be able to string together a couple of solid quarters which the team had struggled to do all year and despite having different players in the team again this week the All Blacks managed to pull together two great consecutive quarters.
Gertie McCallum did not disappoint this week. Leaving absolutely everything she has out on the court each week, she was a total workhorse in Saturday’s match with hands at everything and perfect feeding into the goal ring.
Having another ripper game in wing defence was Ashley McDonald. She worked tirelessly all day, shutting down her player. She had her hands over every pass and managed to adjust well to conditions of the day and had an unreal game.
Continuing to give her all this week was Eliza Walker, taking some great rebounds and helping to carry the ball down the mid-court in the goal defence position.
Eliza continues to take on all the feedback thrown her way and puts it into play on game day.
Best players: Ray White Award — Gertie McCallum; Sports Power Award — Ashley McDonald; and Allure Luxe Award — Eliza Walker.
Reserve football
This week the reserves took on third-placed Moyhu in wet and muddy conditions in the hope of getting another win and to continue to climb the ladder.
It was a big focus to start well, as the boys had been a bit slow to get moving in the past few games and to put together a full four-quarter performance.
As always, the boys responded well and got off to a great start by applying pressure and moving the ball very well led by Harry Moran, Karl Mullins and Eion Fitzgerald, and went into quarter-time having kicked five goals straight to the visitors’ 13 points.
The second-quarter focus was to continue to attack the ball and to defend well and keep the pressure on the opposition.
The boys rose to the challenge and continued on from the first quarter, by lifting the intensity in the contest.
The All Blacks lost midfielder Mark McDermott to a leg injury, which the side hopes is not too serious and he can get back to playing very soon.
The boys were able to kick six goals, three behinds and restrict the opposition to just one goal to go into half-time with a 50-point lead.
At the long break the boys were asked to maintain focus and to continue on working as a team and to ensure the All Blacks played out the second half as they had done in the first.
In the third, the experienced Moyhu side came out and responded, but the Panthers’ boys again responded and lifted their intensity and pressure and did not allow the visitors to kick another one for the quarter and extended their lead to 63 points at the final break.
At the last break, the coach praised the boys for the effort and commitment thus far, but reminded them that their challenge was to play out four quarters to ensure they continue to build on their game.
Again, to their credit, they responded as they always do, and started the fourth quarter by applying great tackling pressure, winning the centre bounce contests and rebounding well off their half back line.
Moyhu was only able to score three behinds and the Panthers were able to have plenty of inside 50 entries and goals to eventually run out 91-point winners and move from sixth spot up to fourth on the ladder, in their best team performance of the year.
Another great win, but the biggest challenge of the year awaits them this week as they take on undefeated Bright on their home turf, but if the boys continue to play great team footy, they are a big chance for a upset.
Final score:
All Blacks: 19.6 (120) def. Moyhu 4.5 (29)
Goals: Harry moran, 11; Eoin Fitzgerald and Karl Mullins, 2; Eoin Higgins, Mike Kelly, Omar Soliman Mekheimar and Tomás Ó Suilleabháin, 1.
Awards: Brad Milligan/Sherridan Homes — Eoin Fitzgerald; Celebrations — Karl Mullins; Thursday night dinner — John Hughes; Benalla Golf Club Driving Range — Joshua Kotvas, Tomás Ó Suilleabháin, Harry Moran, Aaron Horan.
B-grade
The B-grade Panthers anticipated a fast and lively game coming up against Moyhu for the second time this year.
With a different look team from round three Benalla was keen to make a strong start and achieve more consistent periods of play.
Benalla got out to an 11-goal lead at quarter-time.
With the weather changing for the worst Benalla continued to edge away from Moyhu in the middle of the game, with good pressure causing turnovers a plenty, particularly in the mid-court led by Kellie Holmes, Bec Mathieson and Andrea Hooker.
Benalla’s shooters also found their range with good conversion.
Down the defensive end Gemma Mathieson worked her way into the game with athletic and strong defensive skills alongside Liz O’Hallaran.
Leading by 28 goals at the third break Benalla was able to rotate players through different positions in the last quarter, to good effect.
Although Moyhu remained competitive, forcing hard contests throughout the game Benalla ran out winners 50-19.
Awards: Gemma Mathieson, Kellie Holmes, Andrea Hooker.
B-reserve
Benalla B-reserve was struck with issues early on Saturday morning, with two girls too unwell to play and another suffering an injury.
This caused some feelings of unease in the team which was reflected on court with fourth-placed Benalla finishing the first quarter 8-5 to 10th-placed Moyhu.
Keeley Sheehan came on in defence for the second quarter paired with the workhorse of Renae Hughes, saw Benalla keep Moyhu to one goal for the quarter (21-6).
Mid-court with Chloe Dods, Courtney Sammon and Erin Crook demonstrated their strength throughout the game.
Benalla finished the third quarter up 29-10.
Mel Reaper showed her versatility slotted into centre in the last quarter and taking on the position as her own.
Jemma Smith and Hannah Ely dominated the goal ring once again, despite some incredibly difficult outside factors including the strong winds that made shooting nearly impossible.
An absolute credit to the girls at Moyhu, they came out firing and made Benalla work hard all game. Benalla finished victorious with a win of 47-16.
Awards: Renae Hughes, Jemma Smith, Mel Reaper.
Under-17s
The under-17 Girls started their game in very windy and cold conditions against 10th-placed Moyhu, hoping to work on increasing their overall percentage.
The defenders were impeccable in the ring, holding the shooters at bay all day.
The mid-court once again made great passages of play enabling a smooth transition Down to our shooters who were under pressure given the windy conditions did and impeccable job.
The Panthers held a solid lead going in at three-quarter-time up by 12 points and the girls were able to maintain their lead, holding Moyhu at bay and taking away the win.
Final score: All Blacks 33 def. Moyhu 20
Awards: Emily Baker, Remi Nicholas, Indi Nicholls.
Under-15s
The Panthers side faced Moyhu this week who were two points above the side on the ladder.
Benalla’s defensive end as usual worked overtime with pressure and many turnovers.
The centre court created great passages of play with consisting leading and defensive pressure and chasing down many loose balls.
The Benalla attacking end once again worked well together, constantly re-leading and feeding the shooters with some great passes.
It was a great team effort. However, a few turnovers due to our passing cost All Blacks the win the side was chasing. Still, credit to the girls as it was a closer result than last time we met.
Final score: All Blacks 15 Moyhu 24
Awards: Immy Randell — Harley’s Pizza; Georgia Levy — All blacks canteen; Remi Holmes — Slices by Alara.