Second-half surge by reigning premier denies Avenel a big scalp

From the first bounce at Avenel Recreation Reserve, it was the Swans who made their claim for that spot.

Seven goals to Avenel in the first term had Murchison-Toolamba scrambling, as the Swans made light work of the reigning premier’s defence.

A side never to give in, the Hoppers ensured the lead remained within striking distance, kicking four goals themselves to hang in the balance, although there was plenty of work to be done for the green-and-gold.

After a quarter-time rev-up, Murchison-Toolamba responded, but Avenel held its weight and restricted an early collapse.

The Grasshoppers jumped out of the huddle with a flurry of attacks, but Avenel replied and at half-time held a 19-point advantage in a high-scoring affair, 11.4 (70) to 7.9 (51).

But it was a tale of two halves and after succumbing to Longwood in an upset loss in round two, Murchison-Toolamba was sure to not have a repeat effort.

Five goals to three in the third quarter reduced the margin to within a kick and the momentum rolled on even further in the last.

Avenel’s fluent attack seen in the first quarter was halted across the final term, the Swans held scoreless as Murchison-Toolamba got back to its best, kicking five goals for a third consecutive quarter to run over the top of Avenel, condemning the Swans to a 14.5 (89) to 17.17 (119) loss.

Adam Macgibbon (five goals) and Aidan Lloyd (four) were the most dangerous in the arcs for the Hoppers, earning best-on-ground votes alongside Jai Utiger.

Corey Avola was Avenel’s best-on after booting four majors on Sunday afternoon, joined by Zachary Graham, who booted three goals, Benjamin Gillett, Dylan Ryan, Joshua Webster and Andrew Dowling, while Luke Furci was the only other multiple goal-kicker with three majors.

In round three’s other match, Nagambie rolled past Stanhope by 119 points as Tom Preece (one goal) was named best afield and Tom Barnes kicked six as the Lakers recorded a mammoth 28.18 (186) to 10.7 (67) victory, the second time this season Nagambie has booted a score of more than 180 points.

The Lakers sit four premiership points clear in first thanks to their extra game on top of most of the competition, although its percentage of 495.7 will take some catching, too.

Nagambie has the bye in round four as all other teams return to action.

Netball

Both of the netball affairs in round three were fairly one-sided, as Nagambie and Avenel both recorded mammoth wins over their respective opponents.

The Lakers hosted Stanhope as they looked for a return to the winners’ circle following last week’s defeat to Rushworth, and that is exactly what they got, going big with the victory, too.

A 55-25 trouncing of the Lions will help Nagambie overcome the lost percentage from last week’s defeat and then some, as the Lakers move to 2-1 for the season ahead of the bye in round four.

Avenel also recorded a strong win to keep its record unblemished from two games so far this season, comfortably accounting for Murchison-Toolamba 56-35 at Avenel Recreation Reserve.

The Swans are sitting pretty in second ahead of a tough trip to Tallygaroopna in round four.