Calder Cannons find offensive firepower to smash Murray Bushrangers in NAB League clash

Calder Cannons produced its biggest offensive outburst in almost two years to claim a thumping win over Murray Bushrangers in Wangaratta and square its win-loss record.

Calder Cannons produced its biggest offensive outburst in almost two years on Saturday to claim a 50-point win over Murray Bushrangers in Wangaratta.

The 18.9 (117) to 10.7 (67) win was the first time the Cannons had scored more than 100 points since July 16, 2017, also against the Bushrangers.

In his first game of the NAB League season Francis Evans kicked three goals, as did Jeremy O’Sullivan, as 10 players hit the scoreboard.

Cannons coach Ross Smith revealed a tip from vice-captain Daniel Mott alerted the club to his Brunswick teammate Evans.

“Daniel Mott mentioned Francis’s name, you miss a few along the way or kids develop at different stages,” he said.

Ned Gentile in action for Calder Cannons.

“He’s been quite dominant at Brunswick this year and he’s been training with us for a month.

“By all reports he was a goalkicker and we certainly needed to kick some goals, he came in and kicked three and he’s also a very good mark.”

Smith said the forward line was more “dynamic” this week after struggling for much of the season.

“We’ve had issues with goalscoring, we’re averaging 5.7 goals a games, ranked 18th in the competition,” he said.

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“We’ve been working hard on ways to rectify that over the last few weeks and to kick 18 goals is probably the most we’ve kicked in the two years I’ve been here.

“We’ve been using Jez O’Sullivan part-time in the ruck and for probably the first time we played both Patrick Luckins and Josh Hotchkin together, which allowed him to play more time deep forward.”

Ned Gentile was outstanding in an all-round performance, gathering 24 disposals, four marks, four tackles, eight clearances and two goals.

Mott was the leading ball-winner on the day with 29 possessions and a goal and Brodie Newman collected 24 touches.

Calder Cannons coach Ross Smith.

Smith praised Gentile’s ultra consistency and believed he was starting to enter AFL draft calculations.

“He’s been really consistent, a very courageous player, and with Ned you know you’re always going to get an honest performance,” he said.

“He’s putting it all together at the moment and he’s really gone up in estimations at the club and who knows what AFL clubs will want down the track.”

The NAB League breaks for a week as Vic Metro holds a trial game with the Cannons set to return against Northern Knights on June 1 at Highgate Reserve.

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