Ominous Pies Dominate Dees
Written by Alex FitzGerald
Glenorchy have leapfrogged into third place on the Tasmanian State League ladder after putting on a dominant display against a hapless North Hobart outfit at KGV on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies completely controlled the match from the first bounce until the final siren, booting 22.23 (155) to the visitors’ 1.5 (11) to walk off their home deck as 144 point-victors.
The hosts hit the ground running, piling on thirteen unanswered majors in the first half while keeping the Demons scoreless.
Ruckman Cameron Duffy gave the Glenorchy midfielders first use of the ball time and again with his tap work, with Rhys Mott and Mitch Rainbird taking full advantage of the silver service. Harrison Gunther was unpassable in defence, repelling a number of forward entries, with young wingman Ryan Banks-Smith also seeing plenty of the football on the grandstand side of the ground.
The second half saw more of the same, with only the Magpies’ inaccuracy in front of goal in the final term saving the visitors from a much greater losing margin.
The Demons finally kicked their sole major of the match from a set shot after the full-time siren, but it was little consolation given the lack of competitiveness dished up following a lauded performance against Clarence the week prior.
Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy took no delight in the severity of the winning margin, but was pleased with the discipline and effort his side showed across the entire afternoon.
“We wanted to be pretty relentless and ruthless with ourselves, and continue to play the way we want to play.
“We did what we needed to do, we didn’t relent through four quarters, so it was good.”
With finals approaching fast, Kennedy believes his side is playing the brand of football required to go deep into September.
While established players such as Duffy, Mott and Jaye Bowden (four goals) were among the Magpies’ best, Kennedy believes it has been the efforts of the less-experienced members of the side that have been crucial to the club’s success this season.
Inexperienced duo Harry Parker and Bayley Bester did their respective futures in the senior side no harm, combining for seven goals and showing confidence beyond their years.
“It’s been a good year for the club in that we’ve been able to give opportunities to a lot of young guys.
“As we get towards finals, positions tighten up in the team, and we’ll get to see which one step up and keep doing their jobs.”
North Hobart coach Richard Robinson could only shake his head post-match, paying tribute to the opposing side’s efforts.
“They were exceptional.
“I don’t think it mattered who they would’ve played today, they would have come away with a win.”
While it’s been a long season for Robinson, with his charges posting just one win to date, he was again quick to point out how young the North Hobart side taking the field were.
“We had fifteen teenagers, and it may sound like an excuse but it’s the reality.”
With former Melbourne defender Colin Garland signed on for season 2019 and a large number of players dominating underage state sides, it seems like only a matter of time before the club turns the corner.
On the other side of the spectrum, Glenorchy will be eying off a top-two finish, with the clash against fierce rivals Clarence in a fortnight’s time a telling one.
Glenorchy 7.3, 13.11, 18.13, 22.23 (155)
North Hobart 0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 1.5 (11)
GOALS
Glenorchy : H. Parker 4, J. Bowden 4, B. Bester 3, Z. Webster 2, J. Webb 2, A. Roberts, M. Walker, R. Mott, J. Geard, D. Joseph, B. Kamaric, M. Rainbird
North Hobart : J. Cleaver
BEST
Glenorchy : R. Mott, M. Rainbird, D. Joseph, J. Webb, B. Bester, H. Gunther
North Hobart : T. Reeves, H. Williams, B. Norton, N. Lee
