Sport / Football
Brunswick trounces arch-rivals to stay in the race for the finals
Brunswick NOBs 17.13 (115) defeated Therry Penola (59) at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve
Tim Purdey
FOR the second time this season, Brunswick comfortably accounted for arch-rivals Therry Penola to keep themselves in the finals race but missed the opportunity to record a big percentage-booster by conceding the last four goals of the game at J.P. Fawkner Reserve on Saturday.
On a sunny winter’s day, the NOBs began kicking with the breeze and it wasn’t long before the familiar figure of Oscar Watt bobbed up with the opening goal, soon followed by another to Daniel Mott that was all too easy. Therry got themselves on the board after five minutes, before Rowan Hogenbirk slammed one through on the run from 40, then late on Mitch Hicks and Hogenbirk slotted set shots to make it five for the first term, which was about par for the conditions.
The second quarter was largely forgettable. Early on Therry kicked their second for the day courtesy of a 50-metre penalty and struggled thereafter, while Brunswick were lacklustre themselves apart from Paul Scamporlino snapping truly (at the third time of asking), followed up by a nicely taken set shot. Of most note was gun defender Marcus Foti rolling his ankle on taking a fine mark, which may see him miss several weeks.
Thankfully, the game showed some signs of life in the third term, as the NOBs’ game clicked into gear and they took proper advantage of the breeze, starting with a second major to Hicks, followed by a running goal to Andre Jaycock from 45, then the play-of-the-day as Hogenbirk and Watt combined to give Hicks his third. Soon after, Scamporlino kicked his third from a clever handball close to goal, then Jaycock was the recipient of a “Joe the Goose” for his second. To round out the quarter, a brace to Watt took his personal tally to three to make it an 80-point margin at the final change.
Staring down the barrel of a complete annihilation, Therry belatedly took the game on in the last quarter as Brunswick’s minds turned to their ball in a few hours’ time. Scamporlino provided the only highlights for Brunswick with his fourth and fifth goals, while Therry helped themselves to four unanswered majors to drag the final margin to a more respectable 56 points. Unfortunately, the NOBs’ victory was further soured by a report to key forward Hicks in the dying minutes.
Captain Ben Wilson dominated in the midfield from start to finish, while Hogenbirk also had a day out. Jaycock played his best game for several weeks, while Scamporlino continued his good recent form. Whitlam Bishop was very good in defence, as was Foti until his ankle injury. Hicks was a good target in attack but may miss a few weeks due to his late indiscretion, while Watt was again lively and took his season-tally to 30.
This Saturday, the NOBs (5-5 and sixth on the ladder) travel to Scammell Reserve to face Oakleigh (6-4 and fifth) in what is an old fashioned “eight-point” game.
Renegades celebrate 100-gamer with big win over Coburg
Brunswick Renegades 13.10 (88) defeated Coburg Lions (0.3) 3 at Gillon Oval
Trelawney Skye Edgar
THE Renegade team spirit was at work early last week, with Brunswick unanimously agreeing to volunteer players for the Coburg Lions to ensure that Saturday’s round 10 match could continue without forfeit.
On the day, proceedings opened with a heartfelt Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony honouring the club’s Indigenous Round and with brewing celebrations of club stalwart Amy ‘D’ Dillon’s big 100th game in the air the energy was electric at Gillon Oval from the first bounce.
It was immediately evident that time away with injury has only sharpened the determination of Amy D, as she scored her first major of the day within two minutes of game time to thunderous applause. The Renegades forward line quickly backed this up with a speedy goal from an in-form Mae Lesley-Otti.
After some solid defensive work from Coburg managed to spoil a few good Brunswick opportunities, the overwhelmingly purple-clad crowd were treated to another delicious snag from Amy Dillon. The BBQ didn’t stop there, with the dangerous Kathy Madden and unstoppable Emma MacTaggart also getting a sniff and contributing a goal each before the close of the first term.
Goals were harder to come by in the second, with the wind and the Lions both working against Brunswick to stymie repeat Renegade forward entries resulting in behinds. It was in the capable hands and from the reliable boot of Kate Sullivan that a sixth goal was delivered for Brunswick shortly before half time, the result of excellent teamwork and second efforts down the ground.
Quarter three opened in a manner reminiscent of the first, this time with Stephanie Szuhai-Andrews drawing blood early and booting a goal as the first minute elapsed. After Coburg’s first score of the game and a few near misses from Brunswick, a valiant effort from Euphemia Gannon found success at the big sticks. Coburg had a few sniffs at goal in what was certainly their best quarter but couldn’t overcome an increasingly tightly knitted Renegades backline, landing three behinds that would be their total for the day. Amy Dillon got on the board yet again in the final minute and in an impressive display, Emma MacTaggart kicked her second for the game after the siren.
In a spirited effort that matched the ethos of the Renegades, Coburg certainly could not be accused of giving up and managed to hold off the scoring tide for the first half of the final term in a resolute final defensive push. Amy Dillon was back at it again from that point onward, assuredly sending another goal flying to a huge response that could likely be heard from Sydney Road. Mae Lesley-Otti also got a look in with goal number two, bringing the Renegades’ scoreline to its largest in many seasons. It was an absolute fairytale finish for Brunswick, as Amy D sailed through the centre of the woodwork yet again for a huge fifth individual goal with a minute to go.
In a huge group effort, it was the leaders who shone brightest. Assistant Coach and 100-gamer Amy Dillon and captains Claire Woodhouse and Angela Snowdon all featured deservedly in the best players line up this week, making their presence known for the full four quarters. Joining them were tireless rucking and scoring machine Emma MacTaggart and an impressively physical Elizabeth Walshe, who is having a terrific debut season for the Renegades.
After a joyful and dominant win, Brunswick prepare for a challenge as they travel to Basil Reserve where they will face off with De La Salle in round 11.
Brunswick Voice is looking for a volunteer correspondent to file a combined weekly report about the progress of our three local clubs during the 2025 VAFA season. If that is of interest to you, contact editor@brunswickvoice.com.au with an example of your writing.
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