By RORY O’NEILL
TULLAMARINE had the task of kicking into the wind in the first quarter. They outscored Hadfield by a goal, which included two majors from 50-metre penalty gifts.
In the second quarter, the Demons used the ball more effectively whilst the Hawks struggled to take the ball inside their own 50.
Hadfield managed only a single goal whilst Tullamarine put on five, including a long bomb from Chris Burns. At the main break, Tulla held a handy advantage, 9.9.63 to 4.2.26.
It was a very even contest in the third term, with each team scoring five goals respectively.
Matthew Patane had proven dangerous around the goals, kicking two in the quarter to bring his tally to six for the match.
The umpires worked overtime to control the exuberance of players from both sides.
At the end of the quarter, with the wind advantage to come in the last, Tullamarine looked the goods with a 38-point buffer, 14.10.94 to 9.2.56.
In the last quarter, Tullamarine stepped on the gas. Other than a single goal to Hadfield’s Mark Sabatino, it was all one-way traffic.
The Demons kicked nine, including one just before the siren to run out convincing 90-point winners, 23.14.152 to 10.2.62.
Tullamarine coach Anthony Leydin felt his team’s height advantage, multiple forward options, clearances and ruck advantage proved to be too much for the visitors.
He admitted that his team’s depth is challenged due to injuries but he looks forward to his new replacement players transitioning into the standard of play so far demonstrated by Tullamarine this year.
His opponent, Hadfield coach Craig Burrows, also rued the fact that his team had many players out but was especially pleased with his team’s third quarter effort, where they made a more physical and competitive contest.
He particularly praised Patane, who ended the game with 60 per cent of his team’s goals in a losing match.
Tullamarine | 23.14-152
Goals: J. Burns 4, C. Burns 3, W. Geyer 3, A. Liberatore 2, J. Flanigan 2, J. Williams 2, W. Becker, C. Laurie, J. Nippard, J. Sims, A. Bartrop, C. Pereira-Oliva, V. Schiavello
Best: D. Brockway, J. Sims, S. Doyle, C. Laurie, D. Bartrop, W. Geyer
Hadfield | 10.2-62
Goals: M. Patane 6, R. Rachrache, M. Sabatino, A. Colaidis, S. Rasile
Best: M. Patane, D. Ferraro, M. Tang, J. Colaidis, R. Rachrache, M. Gray
