PDL | Gallery | Strathmerton falls in close contest

By Daniel Webb

Jun 27, 2022

It had it all.

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Fans of the Picola District Football Netball League were treated to a finals preview on Saturday afternoon, with Tungamah and Strathmerton going head-to-head at Tungamah’s Jubilee Oval.

Ruck contest: Strathmerton’s Connor Hargreaves and Tungamah’s Damon Symes do battle in the air. Photo: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

The round 13 clash was a cracking game of football, with the lead chopping and changing throughout, however it was the home side that had the last laugh.

Going for goal: Strathmerton co-coach Tim Looby has a shot. Photo: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

At the end of the first quarter the game was close, with Strathmerton holding a one-goal lead, before a massive second term saw it go into the rooms 22 points up.

In the third, the pendulum swung Tungamah’s way, with the home side hitting its stride and holding a one-point lead at three-quarter time.

Good contest: Tungamah coach Xavier Stevenson was happy his side got over the line. Photo: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

With the result in the balance, supporters were treated to a pulsating final term in which the sides went goal for goal, before Tungamah managed to kick clear and down its fellow premiership hopeful 15.4 (94) to 12.11 (83).

Strathmerton co-coach Tim Looby said it was a disappointing result for the Bulldogs.

“We always want to win every game we’re in,” Looby said.

“It was good to get a look at them (the Bears). We know we’re probably going to play them again (in finals) and they’ve taken it all before them so far.

Midfield maestro: Strathmerton’s Tyson Sidebottom was named Strathmerton’s best onground for the day. Photo: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

“They’re a good side. We knew they’d come back and we probably just didn’t hold them enough in the third quarter and they took their opportunities in the last and that was the game.”

Eyes up: Strathmerton’s Michael Laidlaw looks for an option. Photo: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

Looby identified the midfield as an area where the Bulldogs played well, with Tyson Sidebottom and Jake Ellery performing well, while down back Shannon Emmett put in a solid shift.

Full focus: Strathmerton’s Zeke Bunge with the ball in hand. Photo: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

Tungamah coach Xavier Stevenson said he was happy to secure the win.

“It was probably a tale of two halves, really,” Stevenson said.

Midfield contest: Tungamah’s Nick Irvine and Strathmerton’s Tyson Sidebottom do battle. Photo: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

“They got the jump on us a little bit and were probably first to the footy and our pressure wasn’t up to it until half-time and after that it probably swung a bit and went the other way.

“We got our hands on the footy a bit more which gave us the first option and our deep entries were a bi-product of that, so it was good.