:: All Stars Report - By Newts.

Stars Shine in Walkover

The Clubbies brutalised a scrappy Mazenod outfit in a percentage boosting non-contest at Ian Johnson Oval. Although the boys from Springvale have both hands wrapped around the wooden spoon this year, a bye in the upper levels made this a danger game for the Club XVIII juggernaut. Moreover with the final four still in a state of flux, the match was an important one in shaping late-August action.

Fears of a boilover proved unfounded as a familiar mixture of hard running, strong marking and straight shooting left the rag-tag Mazenod side in our wake. In the backline Schofield, Sampson and a revitalised Ed Tomlinson were too good for their direct opponents and along with Gutters and Stales set up many telling forward thrusts. The razzle and dazzle of Darren and the more circumspect steady hands of Ollie Ward gave added stability to the backline and across the centre.

The engine room boilers continue to run at full capacity with Rob Lawler’s imperious ruckwork feeding a fearsome quintet of Bains, the Wettenhalls, the Wildman and the Caveman. Rob Galbraith’s bustling work was all the more creditable given Hursty’s threat (and continued attempts) to lodge his knee in Rob’s skull.

The overwhelming dominance of the clearances and stoppages defied statistical analysis and reduced some in the Mazenod midfield to piteous whining and melodramatic performances in an attempt to garner some cheap kicks.

Up forward ‘Shooter’ Ironmonger fired with laser beam accuracy, accruing four telling goals. Whilst with Tandy on the piste and on the piss, Hurst bagged six to take the lead in an absorbing keg contest. Hugh Tomlinson was seemingly omnipresent, bringing down marks and snaring goals with reckless abandon. At ground level, Cooper, Hanger and Anderson all played important parts in accumulating an impressive winning margin. In an emotion-charged appearance, Simon Carter, shoulder held in by willpower alone, made an unforgettable contribution.

This game was a useful tune-up but from here on virtuoso performances will be the order of the day. With a bit of fortune in other results, the Stars now sit atop of the table with 3 rounds to go and all to play for.

Tags: Bains, H.Tomlinson, Hurst, Ironmonger, Mazenod, Schofield, Staley