Minyip-Murtoa 136 d Stawell 53
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MINYIP-MURTOA returned to the top five after a big 83-point win over Stawell at Central Park, Stawell, on Saturday.
Just 11 points separated the teams at the first change, but the Burras asserted their dominance to ensure they didn’t suffer another one-point defeat.
A dominant second half where the Burras kicked 11 goals to three made certain of the 20.16 (136) to 8.5 (53) victory.
Burras coach Scott Arnold said he was pleased to see his team bounce back.
“It was a really good, solid performance,” he said.
“Losing two games by a point in a row tests your mental strength, so to respond the way we did was particularly pleasing.”
The Burras secured the win without their three leading goal-kickers.
Clinton Midgley and Kirsten Hunter both did not play, while Blake Grant was on the sidelines by quarter-time after suffering an injury.
“To have them not play and still score 20 goals was pleasing,” he said.
“Xavier Kelly was really good and we had a really even spread of goal-kickers.
“We still had blokes playing roles, but they rotated throughout the course of the day.”
Kelly, three goals, was named the Burras’ best, while experienced trio Justin Garth, John Delahunty and James Burke also stood tall.
Stawell coach Brad Cassidy said the final margin was disappointing.
“Our first quarter and probably our last quarter were our better patches where we were much more competitive, but there’s certainly some things we’ve got to work on,” he said.
“It was a really good, solid performance.”
- Burras coach Scott Arnold
Cassidy said Cam Kimber, who kicked four goals, was the Warriors’ best player.
“I thought Cam’s effort was fantastic,” he said.
“He was willing to win the contested footy and he finished that off with four goals playing on-ball.
“His form over the past few weeks has been really good and that was probably the best game I’ve seen him play.”
Midfielder Aidan Potter, junior product Sam Williams and forward Chris Ford were also among the Warriors’ better performers.
Cassidy said his side now had a break and would prepare for its next match against Ararat.
“I’ve got the belief we can turn it around and have a better, more competitive second half of the year,” he said.
“We’ve just got to learn to defend a bit better – we’re conceding too many big scores and we’ve got to get better at that.”