Reservoir stay in touch until Lakers break away in second half

In a low-scoring game at Crispe Park, Reservoir stayed in touch with the Northern Football Netball League’s top Division 3 side, Kinglake, for the first half before Kinglake broke away in the second half. At the first change, the Mustangs were up by a point. Kinglake 2.1 (13) to Reservoir 2.2 (14).

Kinglake’s Josh Nixon opened the Lakers account early in the first quarter. Much of the first-half action took place on the southern side of the ground away from the crowd in the pavilion with most of the game happening on the southern wing.

Reservoir’s first goal of the match was a hands-free quick kick for a goal that sailed through. It would be one of two ‘hands-free’ goals for Reservoir, where they just kicked the footy straight off the ground.

On both occasions, it went through the big sticks. The Colts went for another goal at the 24-minute mark that could have extended their lead in the opening term but missed to the left.

Kinglake coach Andrew Fairchild said at the first change “Getting the ball from this side to that side is quite hard, isn’t it? That’s why you’ve got to come to this side first.”

“YOU WANNA WIN 75 PER CENT OF CLEARANCES … HOW ABOUT WINNING ONE PERCENT.”

“There is no intensity, there is no work rate. I understand it’s hard conditions to play in, right,” Fairchild told the Lakers at quarter time.

“Make sure we keep it wide. Keep playing out that side [southern wing],” Reservoir coach Justin George said at quarter time.

“Make sure we get it as wide as possible. We’re going to defend that side, alright.

“If the ball gets in that pocket, it’s impossible to kick a goal .. make it a shit fight .. sensational quarter boys, best we’ve played all year,” George said.

The match was delayed at the 17-minute mark of the second quarter when a Reservoir player was stretchered off suffering a severe knee injury. The match was paused. During this time, Melbourne’s notorious winter weather arrived as wind-driven rain arrived. The ground lights went on but it would clear up later after halftime.

The match was delayed at the 17-minute mark of the second quarter when a Reservoir player was stretchered off after suffering a severe knee injury. The match was paused. During this time, Melbourne’s notorious winter weather arrived as wind-driven rain arrived. The ground lights went on but it would clear up later after halftime.

At the main break, scores were close with Kinglake 5.3 (33) leading Reservoir 3.4 (22).

Kinglake got off to a strong start after the main break, kicking the first goal as Reservoir responded with a missed shot as the lights went off and the weather improved. At this point, the game was there for the taking, but Kinglake improved and slipped away.

Josh Nixon’s goals saw Kinglake sneak away from Reservoir in the third quarter and whilst Reservoir stayed in touch they couldn’t keep up as Kinglake broke away to a 22-point lead at three-quarter time. Reservoir 3.8 (26) to Kinglake 7.6 (48).

Reservoir failed to add to their score in the final quarter as Kinglake picked up the pace and quickly added to their tally. Kinglake didn’t score in the final term until the 15-minute mark but still managed to increase their lead before the siren sounded.

“We can play the worst game of footy and still [redacted] beat them,” Fairchild said to the Lakers in the rooms post-match.

RESERVOIR: 2.2 3.4 3.8  3.8 (26)
GOALS: Dale Wells 2, Taylor Bryant.
BEST: Kieran Robertson, Alex Mills, Dylan Bryce, Robert Holland, Rory Harrington, Reece Miller.

KINGLAKE: 2.1 5.3 7.6  9.9 (63)
GOALS: Josh Nixon 5, Damian Pywell 3, Rory McIntyre.
BEST: Josh Nixon, Benjamin White, Jed Tyrrell, Lachie White, Rory McIntyre, Thomas Clarke.

FULL NFNL WEEKEND SCORES ARE AVAILABLE HERE.

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