By Lachlan Onions
Bordertown 12.17 (89) d Penola 7.9 (51)
Penola’s difficult start to the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football league continued on Saturday as the Bordertown Roosters claimed a 38-point win in windy conditions.
The Eagles got their game off to a flying start as they kicked the first two goals of the game and controlled the early stages of the encounter.
Bordertown soon hit back to get its first goal of the game.
However, Bradley Bryant replied immediately with an impressive running goal from 50 metres out.
“It was probably a two or three goal breeze towards the southern end, in saying that I thought we started really well,” Penola coach Brad Maney said.
“Brock Egan and Brad Bryant kicked brilliant goals in the first quarter.
“I thought our running game was really strong and that was set up from centre-half back by Brad Merrett.”
The home side went into quarter-time with a seven-point lead but the visitors fought back in the early stages of the second quarter to level the scores.
Penola continued to put the pressure on the Roosters in a low-scoring first half as the Eagles led 27-24 at the main break.
Poor kicking from Penola in the third quarter meant Bordertown went into the final break with a six-point lead.
The Roosters made the Eagles pay for their inaccuracy in the third quarter as they kicked six goals in the final quarter to seal victory.
“I was really proud of our efforts,” Maney said.
“For the first three quarters and the first 10 minutes of the final quarter, we were exceptional.
“The initial feeling after the game was disappointment that we couldn’t get the win, but I was just generally proud of the group.”
Maney spent Saturday’s game coaching from off the field which gave him an opportunity to analyse his side from a different perspective.
“It was a little bit different, I wanted to do that to get a better understanding of our structures and know what parts were working and what parts failed,” he said.
“The pleasing thing was that we played really good footy during that time so I was able to analyse it.”
Both sides had to adapt their game to handle the strong winds that were felt across the ground at Penola.
“We had to be really careful with how we set up,” Maney said.
“We were obviously missing a few players which hurt our ability to be too flexible.
“We looked at a few different things but at the end of the day, we just backed the boys in and it worked.
“But Bordertown’s legs were just too good in the end.”
This was the second game in a row the Eagles were unable to match their opponents in the final quarter.
Maney labelled fatigue as the main issue for the Roosters’ dominance in the final quarter.
“Bordertown is a very good country football side,” he said.
“They had a lot more bigger bodies than us and their class towards the end showed.
“I don’t think it disgraced or put a dampener on our performance for the day.”
Bryant was named best on ground for Penola after a strong performance.
“It was just a really consistent performance from him,” Maney said
“Anyone who knows Brad, knows how well he prepares his body to perform.
“He’s an ultimate professional playing country football and Saturday was a reward for his effort.
“It was a real captain’s performance to kick two very good goals at important moments.”
James Foggo impressed for Penola in his A grade debut.
“I thought he was really good,” Maney said.
“He’s a competitor and I know that I can trust him on and off the field.
“I feel like he was really up for the challenge and gave a lot to the group.”
