Hoppers make leap to victory

The Hoppers lifted all over the ground with their close-knit defence acting as a springboard for repeated forward forays and they kicked seven goals in the third quarter after a lacklustre first half by both teams.

An increase in intensity showed on the scoreboard and the estimated 7000 crowd at Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval became vocal as Moyhu set up a comfortable 37-point break by the final change.

They piled on another seven goals in the final quarter, with 10 players contributing to the goal tally in what turned out to be a relatively one-sided second half.

Moyhu coach Gil Ould was elated after the victory and when receiving his premiership medal described his team as “a wonderful group”.

Ould said his team had often been criticised for being too old and slow.

But he said there were “some good young blokes” ready to fill the gaps left if some of the ageing campaigners retired.

“I am stuck for words,” he said describing the elation of the premiership win.

He conceded that the first half was lacking as a spectacle with just nine goals kicked by the two teams.

Moyhu had 5.8 on the scoreboard by half-time and Ould said his team had plenty of opportunities, but repeatedly chose the wrong options.

“We have always had nip and tuck battles with this mob,” Ould said.

But he believed his team could lift considerably to take the game in its grasp and that is exactly what happened.

Moyhu established a two goal lead in the first quarter, but Whorouly got in front by three points at the first break after free kicks and goals to Gene Marek and Steve Masin.

The second quarter was an arm wrestle between the two defences with scoring at a premium.

Paul Glanville gathered plenty of kicks to keep the pressure on Moyhu, but the Hoppers got two goals clear before Luke Matheson goaled at the 21-minute mark, closing the gap to seven points.

Moyhu seized opportunities early in the third quarter with a goal to Dale Mason.

Gerard Nolan broke clear from the wing and kicked long to full-forward Shane Moore, who marked and unselfishly chipped the ball over to Mason in the goal square.

Soon after Nolan capitalised on a defensive error by the Lions, ran around the boundary line and goaled with a banana kick from near the point post.

Glanville missed with a long set shot and Moyhu rebounded for Moore to goal with a superb snap after seizing on a loose ball which gave Moyhu an 18-point lead at the 11-minute mark.

There were bad signs for Whorouly with its forward line shut down.

Moyhu captain Andrew Balfour was in scintillating form at centre half-back with his marking and clearing dashes.

Diminutive Adam McNamara and Scott Douglas were others starring on a tight defence.

Ruckman Anthony Welsh, Pete Sullivan and wingman Marcus Lloyd also won plenty of kicks.

Welsh, judged the best player in the final, conceded height and struggled to get the taps against Whorouly’s Adam Pascoe and Glanville.

But around the ground he was outstanding and drove the ball long with his left foot each time he got the chance for a possession.

Moore outbustled his opponent to mark and goal and Nolan contributed his third for the match to give Moyhu a 30-point break.

Whorouly suffered a setback when coach Col McClounan was sent from the field for 15 minutes with a yellow card at the 23-minute mark of the third quarter.

Another two goals in two minutes by Moore put Moyhu’s seal on the match.

The Hoppers continued their momentum into the final quarter and piled on another seven goals, with Moore bagging his sixth and Marc Kilner finishing with two.

Whorouly was clearly outplayed around the packs and could not break the shackles of Moyhu’s tight defence.

Matheson, Trent Stanimirovitch, Wayne Mills, Brett Allen and Christian McGauran were valuable contributors.