By Tricia Mifsud
BROADFORD slumped to a 117-point thrashing at the hands of Kinglake on Saturday, despite a promising start to its Outer East League season in round one.
Although behind at quarter time, the Kangaroos remained in the game with a 25-point deficit to make up for.
However the Lakers soon ran away with the match, scoring a 19.29 (131) to 2.2 (14) victory at Kinglake Memorial Oval.
Broadford’s senior players in Sean Duggan and Neil Johnson were the two to score a major, Duggan’s coming in the first quarter, and Johnson in the fourth.
Assistant coach Alwin Neilson said the side believed it was in the game at quarter time, but didn’t make the most of kicking with the wind, whereas the Lakers were able to convert despite the conditions against them.
“At quarter time, we thought we were in the game, even though they managed four goals against the wind,” Neilson said,
“We just didn’t make the most of kicking with the wind in the first. We didn’t give up trying all day, but we couldn’t make the most of our opportunities.”
The Lakers piled on another four goals in the second term, with the Kangaroos failing to contribute any.
Adding to the hurt in the third quarter the Lakers, although kicking against the wind, piled on another seven goals.
Broadford restricted Kinglake to 2.9 in the final term, Neilson and senior members of the side considering the inaccuracy a blessing for the Kangaroos.
Neilson said regardless of the deficit, the side had performed better than it did last season – but there were still noticeable aspects of its game to improve on.
“We’ve just got to get better and add more depth to our side. We could have really got run over the top of but we defended really well, particularly in the fourth quarter,” he said.
“Just talking to some of the senior players, they said if it was last year we would have lost by double that so that in itself is an improvement. There are definitely strong signs of improvement.”
Neilson said the Kangaroos were outclassed by a strong-built side.
“They were a very fit, well-drilled unit and our guys were proper outclassed over the course of the game,” he said.
“A lot of it had to do with the fact that we are a new side together and working out each other’s strengths in games and properly sticking to our structures even with things going with us.
“I think [the result did come down to] inexperience but we are building, and after the week before where we played really well, we found out where we really are sitting at the moment.
“We have a long way to go still, but the boys’ endeavour at the weekend was terrific.”
Clean sweep for netballers
Broadford netballers celebrated a successful weekend at Kinglake, with each division claiming a win against the home sides.
A Grade recorded a 50-21 win, as Ally Black and Renee Sari once again dominated in front of goal with 30 and 15 goals respectively.
In B Grade, the team scored a 28-13 win, after being one goal down at half time. Jamie Hooper led with 18 goals while April Maunder, Rhonwyn Whiteside, Kirbie Theuma were named best players.
The Kangaroos have this weekend off with a league-wide bye for Easter, before returning in round three in an away match against Alexandra.
