Longwarry’s long slide

By Ken Moore
LONGWARRY, early season improvers, suffered their first defeat and plunged to fifth spot on the ladder after a 48-point loss to Cora Lynn on Saturday.
The Crows only trailed by 10 points late in the second quarter when the match took a dramatic turn after tempers frayed and coach Grant McDonald was red carded after an incident with Cobra assistant coach Matt Robinson.
The incident followed a fracas, which halted play for several minutes.
This led to the home side playing a player short for the rest of the game and effectively ruined its chance of victory. McDonald’s departure precipitated an eight-goal run by the visitors, who enjoyed the luxury of an extra man, bombarded the goals and waltzed to a match winning 58-point lead by midway through the third quarter.
Early on both sides shared possession of the ball and squandered opportunities but drive from Jack Allen and Brendan Kimber gave Cora Lynn a 14-point lead at quarter-time.
Strong bodied Crow recruit Adam Pavlovic steered through two early second quarter goals to reduce the margin to only two points before replies from change Cobra ruckman Brad Horaczko, Anthony Giuliano and Mornington recruit Ryan Gillis gave the Crows a 27-point lead and the ascendancy at half time.
Three goals by elusive Beaconsfield recruit Sean Marchetti put the result beyond doubt in the third term. Allen and Kimber continued to make a big impact in the second half, along with wingman Jimmy Bradshaw and running defender Craig Taylor.
Under-rated stopper Tim Payne did a good shutdown job on key Longwarry forward Luke Serong and another of the Cobras’ lesser lights, Will Van Diemen, offered plenty of drive off the half back line.
The terrific early season form of small forward Anthony Giuliano continued, with the energetic goal sneak dobbing four majors and Ryan Gillis and Brad Horaczko provided a good target across the forward line.
Longwarry started and finished the game well and last season’s wooden spooners have definitely taken a series of steps forward this season. Utility Leigh McDonald attacked the ball hard and got the nod as the Crows best player, wingman Tom Metselaar offered plenty of drive and had good midfield support from rising stars Rhys and Dylan Holland.
Half forward Brock Neve, a fringe player last season, stepped up to play one of his best senior games and Mark Light pushed the ball forward regularly.
There was also a lot to like about the performance of 16-year-old Jake Serong, who made a number of good spoils and provided good run and carry off the half back line.