Sport / Football
Another tough day at the office for NOBs
Brunswick NOBs 5.5 (35) lost to Prahran 12.13 (85) at Gillon Oval
Tim Purdey
Brunswick’s high hopes of contending for finals of only a fortnight ago seem like a distant memory after the NOBs suffered a 50-point loss at the hands of second-placed Prahran on a cold and dark winter’s afternoon at Gillon Oval on Saturday.
Kicking to the Sydney Road end with the aid of the usual north-westerly in the first quarter, the NOBs won plenty of the ball early on but tended to find themselves going nowhere on the grandstand side.
In contrast, the Two Blues moved the ball well into the breeze and kicked the opener, before the home side finally hit the scoreboard after 16 minutes through a running goal to Matt Deeth.
The visitors responded with the next two, then Deeth doubled up with a well-taken set shot, to reduce the margin to 10 points at the first change.
Brunswick defended admirably in the second term and restricted Prahran to just two majors with the wind, but when opportunities came to counterattack, they struggled to break the lines in the absence of their talisman Daniel Mott. The deficit at half-time was a manageable four goals, but they would need to show more positive intent in the third quarter if they were to cause an unlikely upset.
Unfortunately for the NOBs they couldn’t seem to break out of their defensive mindset and played without any confidence when going forward.
The result was a scoreless third term while the visitors found a way to fashion three goals into the breeze, including one after the siren to extend their lead to an insurmountable 43 points as rain began to set in.
To the relief of the home crowd, President Joe Gale broke the goal drought inside the first 30 seconds of the final quarter with a brilliant checkside shot on the run.
Prahran responded with the next major, then Tom Wilson slotted a set shot from an angle.
As the rain got stronger and darkness descended in the closing stages, Prahran kicked another couple, before Jackson Davis snagged one on the run to close out the day.
Gabe Banova was far-and-away Brunswick’s best player as he carried the midfield on his shoulders. Whitlam Bishop was strong in defence, as was Will Kempt, while Tom Wilson worked hard to make himself a forward target. Ben Young battled away in the ruck and Matt Deeth was good on his return to the side.
This Saturday, Parkside away will present Brunswick with another big challenge as they look to get their season back on track.
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