Round One v Boolarra

Seniors

Boolarra 14 – 13 – 97 d Mirboo North  8  –  6 –  54 

BOOLARRA retained the George Lewis Memorial Shield when it downed Mirboo North by 43 points at Boolarra,  in round one of 2024 Mid Gippsland football on Saturday afternoon.

Due to the Latrobe Valley Umpires Association's current dearth of resources, both clubs were forced to provide field, goal and boundary umpires for the match to proceed.

The home side opened fast with two goals recorded in the blink of an eye.

Quick answers from the mighty Tigers had scores locked together at 2.0 apiece, after 11 minutes of fulfilling and entertaining football from each team to open the season.

At the first break, Boolarra held a seven point advantage, but by half time the Tigers had reduced Demons' lead to five points.

Riley Oddy, Liam Nash, Jeremy Salinger and giant big man Patrick Lewis, were taking care of business for Mirboo North during the second quarter, with busyness in and around the packs.  

Others going well for the Tigers were Joe Brooks, Ethan Woodall, Linc Oddy and Jack Couper. 

When Woodall's kick split the middle of the big white sticks early in the third term, Mirboo North hit the front by a point.

The yellow and black army of Mirboo North supporters became excited and there was a whole lot of hollering going on around the members' wing. 

Alas for the Tigers, Boolarra stepped up the pace by booting the next six goals and putting the game to bed.

All across the field, Boolarra's energy, enthusiasm and self belief lifted and the Demons were on a roll the Tigers couldn't stop.

A feature of Boolarra's play during this period was persistent pursuit of the Sherrin, whenever possession of it, was in dispute.

Simon Noy, new playing coach Brendan Mason and dynamic onballer, Mason Porykali, were unstoppable for the Demons, as their dominance seemed to prey upon their opponents' minds.

The Tigers' forward entries became shallower, their work rate faded and the team's overall concentration levels dropped away for almost 20 minutes across two quarters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Rearguard Mirboo North goals midway through the final term by Riley Oddy and skipper Hudson Kerr, temporarily halted Boolarra's progress.

However, the Demons slammed home the final two majors, the last of which came from Brendan Mason —  with a successful running shot from 35 metres — that gave him three for the day.

This Saturday, Mirboo North hosts Foster in a night game at Tigerland, commencing at 5.45 pm.

Boolarra Goals: B Mason 3, L Smith 3, S Mazou 2, M Porykali 2, A Sheers 2, L Marriott,                                            J Mason  

Boolarra Best:    S Noy, B Mason, M Porykali, J McCormack, M Lovison, L Smith 

MN Goals:  E Woodall 2 R Oddy 2, R Kratzat 2, J Couper                  

MN Best:    R Oddy, L Nash, J Salinger, J Brooks, E Woodall, L Oddy

Reserves

Boolarra 10 –  6 –  66 d Mirboo North 1 –  5 –  11 

Boolarra' 55-point win over Mirboo North was as decisive as the game was one-sided.

The Tigers knew they were in serious trouble when Boolarra brilliantly booted the first seven goals of the match.

Former Mirboo North and Thorpdale spearhead, Brendan Van Heurck, recorded four goals for the Demons, that left some spectators speechlessly in awe of his skill and determination.

In doing so, the bearded chatterbox showed age hasn't wearied him over a long career of being buffeted from pillar to post by rugged defenders.

Others in fine form for Boolarra were Chris Riseley, Eddy Stanton and Patrick Haines.

The visitors' only goal came from newcomer, Xavier Spaull, when he kicked the ball over the goal umpire's head, shortly before half time.

A positive for Mirboo North was that it limited the Demons to one behind in the final term, whilst recording three of same itself.

Alex Windsor was Mirboo North's best performer, with teammates, Leigh Jowett, Lachlan Poljak and Todd Alexander, also contributing handily in a losing side.

Boolarra Goals: B Van Heurck 4, J Maggs 2, P Haines, T Holley, C Riseley, E Stanton

Boolarra Best:    C Riseley, E Stanton, B Van Heurck, P Haines, B McCormack, T Holley          

MN Goals:  X Spaull

MN Best:     A Windsor, L Jowett, L Poljak, T Alexander, T McGrath, D Pinneri     

Thirds

Yinnar 14 – 14 –  98 d Mirboo North  2 – 0 – 12   

Reigning premier, Yinnar, thrashed last year's other grand finalist, Mirboo North, by 86 points at Yinnar.

Best players for Yinnar were Jay Rogalsky, Luke Douch and Keegan Zielecki, Jay Rogalsky and Harvey McKay, whilst Billy Jennings, Tom McGrath and Jonathon Conlan were in good form for Mirboo North.

Ollie Mahoney was Mirboo North's lone goal scorer with two majors.

With less than a handful of last year's side eligible for thirds this season, Mirboo North is rebuilding its team with juniors who have graduated from the Central Gippsland Junior Football League competition.

This Saturday, Mirboo North thirds have a bye.

MN Goals: O Mahoney 2

MN Best:   B Jennings, T McGrath, J Conlan, O Mahoney, H Malady