KDL | Slow start ends Girgarre’s season

By Gus Underwood

Aug 23, 2022

Trapped Roo: Girgarre ruckman Jack Oogjes is under pressure from Shepparton East’s Thomas McCluskey and Mat Rendina (23) during the Kangaroos’ brief stay in the Kyabram District League finals. Photo: Rohan Aldous

Girgarre’s first appearance in a Kyabram District Football League finals series for 21 years met with disappointment, with the Kangaroos falling to Shepparton East in their elimination final at Nagambie on Saturday.

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The game was switched from Longwood to Nagambie due to the condition of the Longwood oval.

A 10-goal opening quarter onslaught set up an eventual 54-point win for East, and while the Roos never gave in, they never raised the hopes of their supporters at any time.

They did, however, outscore their rivals in the second and final quarters to prevent a further blowout.

Girgarre was stunned by East’s flying start triggered by Adam Borelli, who kicked four of his six goals in the first quarter.

Ruckman Tom McCluskley was also dominant, along with Tyler Pedretti, veteran Duane Hueston and Brandon Corish.

Coach Rob Osborne was another thorn in Girgarre’s defence with a five-goal haul.

Rex Taylor, Corey Wanganeen and Brock Pierce led the Girgarre fightback.

Girgarre coach Damian Cupido finished with four goals, but three of these came when the game was all over in the last term when East took Jamie Spencer, David Gillespie and Rob Osborne from the ground.

Billie Gahan, Jack Oogjes, Tom Walsh and Talbot Varcoe also tried hard and showed out at times for the Roos.

Elsewhere, reigning premier Nagambie defied the pundits to eliminate Violet Town from the flag fight with a character-filled win at Lancaster on Sunday.

The Lakers trailed at every break but were in a position to snatch the win at the last change after edging to within a straight kick.

They then rallied in the final quarter to kick five goals to the Towners’ two to snatch a fighting 10-point win.

The match winner for the Lakers was Jonathan Moore, who booted six goals.

Mark Wilson, Brady Drysdale and Mark Wilson also played key roles in the win while Trent Laverie, William Dalton and Daniel Haysom were also prominent.

Goal-kicking star Jack Exell did his best to deliver a win for his side with eight goals, while Oliver Ford, Matthew McCarty, Nicholas Brazil, Tim Ross and Charles Hunter were chiefly responsible for giving their side a chance to the final siren.