Stars bow to Jim

By Ken Moore
GARFIELD had to battle hard to see off its neighbour, Bunyip, by 21 points before a large crowd in the EDFL match of the day on Saturday.
It was a very physical game, featuring a number of momentum swings and players nursing bruises post-match.
Both teams went at the ball and the body hammer and tongs in the first half and only five points – in favour of the home team – separated the sides at the main break. The Stars can thank elusive forward Jim Bow for victory.
In a stunning third quarter, Bow broke the game open with five goals to set the visitors up with a match winning 28-point lead late into the term.
However, the Bulldogs refused to throw in the towel in the last quarter, but could only reduce the gap by seven points come the final siren.
Bunyip got off to a perfect start with three early goals against the wind, all by bustling utility Robbie Hughes as he threatened to play havoc with the Stars defence in the opening stanza.
The Bulldogs’ early ascendancy was largely due to good work by ruckman Marc Rotunno, who worked well in unison with coach Callum Pattie and fellow midfielders Ben Jostlear, Brad and Ash Walker. Doveton recruit Michael Laszczyk and Strathmore recruit Marcus Cleary both bristled around the field with energy and made many effective contributions. Eighteen-year-old ruckman Mitch Davies took a number of good marks and shapes as a fine prospect. In the third quarter, Garfield upped the pressure and while Bow proved to be the game breaker, the Stars were inspired by coach Brent Eastwell, who played as a loose man behind the centre, where he set up many attacks from defence. Eastwell received strong support from ruckman Tom Marsh and ruck rovers Ned and Ben Marsh.
Veteran Shaun Pickering left his mark on the game with four goals.
“I had to tell the boys a few home truths at half time and was pleased with their response, because we moved the ball a lot better after the main break,” a relieved Eastwell said.
Despite the loss, Bunyip showed it is a genuine finals contender.
“We had a crack and had our chances, but just fell a little short,” said disappointed coach Pattie. However, he refused to mention that his team incurred a number of injuries during the game that left them with no interchange bench in the last quarter.
The Bulldogs lost forward Robbie Dierickx (hamstring) and key defender Andy Henwood, one of the most under-rated stoppers in the competition, before half -time.