Sport / Football
NOBs outlast valiant Bombers in Grand Final replay
Brunswick NOBs 19.14 (128) defeated Elsternwick 12.15 (87) at Elsternwick Park #2
Tim Purdey
BRUNSWICK successfully fended off the challenge of last year’s Grand Final nemesis Elsternwick, who were desperately trying to keep their remote chances of avoiding relegation back to Division 2 alive, to notch up their sixth victory of the season by 41 points at a windy Elsternwick Park No. 2 on Saturday.
With a strong northerly blowing straight down the ground, onlookers expected the vast majority of goals to be scored at the southern end but that wasn’t how the game panned out.
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the NOBs started well with the ever-consistent Paul Scamporlino marking and goaling early, eventually followed by the next two (to Rowan Hogenbirk and Gabe Banova) due to good forward pressure. But the Bombers were winning plenty of contested ball and got reward for effort with two late majors to narrow the margin to a single kick, taking the honours for the term.
In the second quarter, it was Brunswick who relished the challenge of facing the breeze and they quickly slammed through four majors, making it six successive goals to the northern end. Joe Gale and Scamporlino were both on the end of handballs in the goal square, then the returning Mitch Hicks slotted a checkside from alongside the behind post, followed by a mark and goal from directly in front. Elsternwick finally kicked one halfway through the term and added a couple more, but a ruck infringement in the goal square to Tom Wilson handed the NOBs their fifth for the quarter and they led by a handy 18 points at the main break.
Hogenbirk kicked his second early in the third term to make it a four-goal lead, but a series of misses ensued as Brunswick took wide shots on goal. The Bombers then transitioned the ball well to make the NOBs pay, before Scamporlino pounced on a rare kick to the hotspot for his third. Elsternwick’s star small forward Marchese then slotted his fourth to keep the home side in the contest.
Brunswick then put their foot down, with a roving goal to Andre Jaycock, a coast-to-coast effort to give Tom Wilson his second, a long bomb to best-on-ground Dan Mott and a third goal to Hicks, to extend their lead to 43 points. But the Bombers kept pushing, with two majors in the shadow of three-quarter time to ensure it was still game on.
Once again, Hogenbirk got things rolling for Brunswick in the final quarter with his third goal from a holding-the-ball free, but Elsternwick responded with the next two, including a fifth to Marchese. Scamporlino then snagged his fourth with a left-foot snap, but a controversial deliberate rushed behind free to the Bombers got them back within 24 points with plenty of time left.
This week, however, it was the NOBs who ran the game right out, kicking the last three majors of the game, through Tas Kearney, Banova (for his second) and Hicks (for his fourth).
Mott was quite brilliant over four quarters, with his evasive skills and precise kicking a feature, while Hogenbirk was a big presence around the ground and up forward. Scamporlino’s excellent season continued as he continues to be a very reliable forward, while Fletcher Banfield got another case of leather poisoning. Tahj Haddock was again outstanding in defence and Zephyr Hooke worked hard for the team all day.
This Saturday the NOBs return to Gillon Oval to face Monash Blues, who will also be desperate to avoid relegation, in what will be a big game on Past Players Day.
Renegades show grit in defeat
Brunswick Renegades 2.2 (14) lost to UHS-VU 3.10 (28) at Brens Oval
Trelawney Skye Edgar
THE Brunswick Renegades delivered a determined performance against UHS-VU on a chilly morning in Parkville on Saturday. While the hosts won the day, Brunswick made them fight for every point and slog through a relentless Renos backline to tally minimal major scores.
UHS-VU started well with powerful forward momentum, but the Renegades were up to the challenge and answered with immense defensive pressure that would prove to stand up to repeated attacks. Sally Elstub displayed excellent composure and clever bodywork to minimise the damage and move the ball away from the danger zone, while Emma MacTaggart demonstrated her classic magnetic hands, finding marks all over.
In her 50th game, Gina DiBenedetto was a brick wall, repelling repeated entries and making fantastic saves with her trademark combination of aggression and poise and Kiah Pearce could be found all over, getting hands to the ball and applying pressure along with endless second and third efforts. While UHS-VU controlled the quarter, Brunswick held them to only behinds in a testament to the Renegades’ defensive strength.
In the second term, the home side found the goals, but Brunswick were unshaken, creating a far more even spread of the ball across the ground. Pearce, Angela Snowdon and Kate Sullivan found every opportunity to drive the ball forward, and Stephanie Szuhai-Andrews snatched a gorgeous clean intercept mark. Meadhbh Larkin crafted a clever clearance which paved the way for Snowdon to claim a much-needed behind to get the Renegades on the scoreboard. Emily Goode laid a fierce tackle to prevent the threat of a UHS-VU advance and Clare Woodhouse managed to scoop an unwieldly loose ball to keep play alive for Brunswick as the Renos began to wrestle some control back.
It was in the third quarter that the Renegades really found their feet, decisively playing their own brand of football and giving UHS-VU quite a scare. Tahlia Hayes launched multiple surges from the backline and a firm chain of possession along the wing followed by a crucial intercept snatched by crafty and gritty 50-gamer Elsie Daddow signalled the changing tide of the game in this term.
The rewards for Brunswick’s efforts came in quick succession with two goals in as many minutes; a sharp shot through the pack from the boot of MacTaggart, followed up by an incredible bouncer sent in from across the 50-metre line into an unguarded goal by Snowdon, pushing the Renegades ahead by a point. Jane Williamson made a smart split-second decision to rush a behind at the other end to draw proceedings before UHS-VU managed to sneak a goal through to close the quarter.
Brunswick dug deep in the final term and managed to prevent any further goals until the dying minutes. Meg McNeel was essential in the deep backline, making crucial saves and taking on multiple opponents in several contests to push attempts out of the square. Laura Geissler, Rubee-Leigh Poata and Hayes took their share of strong marks in crucial moments and another strong chain of Renegades possession was a link-up play highlight.
First year player Elizabeth Walshe added to her growing Reno resume with a powerful mark and kick, while Amy Dillon put in monster efforts around the contest, working hard to create opportunities. Brunswick showed grit in defeat, pushing to the final moments.
While it is disappointing that the squad won’t be rewarded with a finals appearance in 2025, the future looks bright for senior women’s footy at Brunswick and every player should be proud of their contribution, growth and resilience.
To cap off the strongest season campaign of the team’s recent history, the Renegades now have the opportunity to finish well against familiar opponent Hawthorn in Round 15.
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