The Tocumwal Bloods made the short journey across to play the Berrigan Saints for their round 12 showdown, ready for what was always going to be a fierce and physical encounter, as it was on Good Friday earlier in the season.
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With a proud rivalry between the two clubs, the stage was set for a passionate battle.
While the scoreboard did not fall their way, the Bloods showed plenty of grit and heart in a contest that was far tougher than the final margin suggests.
From the opening bounce, Berrigan came out firing, using the familiarity of their home ground to full advantage.
Their ball movement was slick, and their forward entries dangerous.
But Tocumwal did not shy away from the challenge.
Led by the relentless Lachlan McDonald in defence, and the athleticism of Achoung Agog up forward, the Bloods refused to be intimidated.
Every contest was hard-fought, with bodies flying in and pressure around the ball at a season- high intensity.
Flynn Tonks was a constant threat up forward, finishing with three impressive goals, including a brilliant long-range effort in the second quarter that lifted the team.
Xavier Walker slotted two classy majors, displaying his clean hands and football smarts.
Ricky ‘Birthday Boy’ Gittens gave himself a birthday present in the form of a hard-earned goal and strongly contributed all over the ground.
Liam Sutton rounded out the goal-kicking, standing tall in key moments and displaying his trademark courage.
Despite a tough day defensively, the backline battled hard against repeated forward entries.
Logan White, who took out the Vanderhoek Engineering Award, threw himself into every contest and played with typical toughness in his 150th club game.
Chase Brunskill, awarded the Rivergarden Chinese Award, brought energy and grit, never giving up on a contest.
Liam Sutton’s IGA Award was a nod to his strong, all-round performance, his work ethic and composure under pressure.
Awards went to players who are all juniors in the club.
Other standout performers for Tocumwal included Adam Kent, whose ruck work and vision helped open up play, and Maxim Mickelson, who showed maturity beyond his years in a tough matchup.
Dillon Kirchen also continued his solid run of form, providing drive and refusing to be outworked.
It was a terrific win by the Berrigan Saints, who tore apart a worthy Tocumwal side to find themselves back on the winner’s list.
The Saints played a terrific game of football with a full four quarter effort ending with an impressive 57 point winning margin.
Harley Middleton set the game alight. He couldn’t be stopped in both the midfield or up forward. The strong forward midfielder simply out muscled opponents and kicked home four goals to go with it.
Tom Whelan and Zeke Carruthers both excelled in defence.
Rory Bartlett and Chris Nield were both dangerous in the forward 50, both of which joined Middleton at the top of the goal kickers’ list with four goals each.
It was a terrific win by the Saints which sees them jump to fifth on the ladder.
Final score: Berrigan 16.11 (107) def Tocumwal 7.8 (50).
Reserves
The Berrigan Reserves cracked in hard all game, but couldn’t get the winning result they desired.
For the Saints, Jackson Clancy played his best game all season.
Moving to a new role up forward, Clancy flew at every ball that came his way, finding himself on the end of two majors.
Mick Fiore and Stu Pyle both continued their hot run of form, while youngster Ayden Good found himself back among the best players.
Ultimately, Tocumwal produced a result their hosts weren’t expecting.
After a seven-goal loss in the first meeting earlier this season, the Bloods Reserves turned the tables in style with a commanding 39-point win.
Tocumwal’s pressure was relentless from the first bounce, and while they didn’t always make the most of chances in front of goal, the Bloods controlled the contest all day.
The Tocumwal boys worked hard across the ground and were rewarded with a strong four-quarter effort.
It was a tough loss for the Saints, and they will look to improve next week.
Final score: Berrigan 3.4 (22) def by Tocumwal 8.13.(61).
Tocumwal goals: J Wapshott 3, J Findlay 2, A Vernon, W O’Connell, J Colston.
Thirds
A tough loss this week for the Berrigan thirds.
The scoreboard may show a comfortable 62-point win, but it was a real arm wrestle early - there was just one kick in it at the main break.
After half-time, the Tocumwal boys flicked the switch and ran away with it, piling on the pressure and hitting the scoreboard with impact.
They had a great spread of goal kickers was a highlight.
From the midfield battle to the backline composure, it was a solid four-quarter effort for Tocumwal.
The Berrigan boys simply came up against a good side and fought hard, but it wasn’t to be.
Taylor Thornton played a great game for the Saints.
Final score: Berrigan 4.3 (27) def by Tocumwal 13.11 (89).
Tocumwal goals: H Mansell 3, L Sutton 2, L White 2, S Bennett, H Wilson, C Quick, P Valente, D Cameron, C Dickins.
Tocumwal best players: H Groutsch, C Brunskill, S Bennett, J Hicks, L White, L Sutton.
Fourths
The youngest Saints lined up against a dominant Bloods side.
From the first bounce, Tocumwal applied pressure all around the ground.
Tocumwal set the tone early, getting off to a strong start and leading 2.1 (13) to 0.2 (2) at quarter time.
The Tocumwal boys never let up from there, showing grit, determination, and a real hunger for the contest.
For the Saints, Jordan Swann was again a superstar on the ball and was the Saints' best on ground.
Ollie Batten was classy at centre-half forward and centre-half back.
Harvey Swann took no prisoners at full back, taking on taller opponents and showing what determination looks like.
Other standouts were Paddy Arnold, Trey Burns, and Kobe Smith.
Similarly, Tocumwal’s on-ball brigade was on fire all day.
Lucas Grieves was handed a job and nailed it, while Charlie Wilson was a brick wall in defence, repelling everything that came his way.
Every Tocumwal line stood up when it counted.
It was a turnaround for Tocumwal, after going down to Berrigan by 87 points in round three.
The fourths flipped the script in emphatic style to claim a 20-point win.
Final score: Berrigan 2.8 (20) def by Tocumwal 6.4 (40).
Tocumwal goals: A Matters 2, A Watt, H Wilson, O East, J Watson.
Tocumwal best players: H Wilson, A Chellew, L Grieves, J Watson, C Wilson, J Petersen.
Tocumwal awards B Walsh, L Grieves, O East, J Watson, J Petersen.
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