Ovens & Murray: Corowa-Rutherglen slumps to 1-5 as young Wodonga ruckman Zac Harding stars
Hopes were high that Corowa-Rutherglen could climb the ladder under a coach with a track record of success and a swag of recruits. See what’s happened.
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Wodonga has destroyed what slim chances Corowa-Rutherglen had left to push for an Ovens & Murray league finals berth in Daryn Cresswell’s first season at the helm with a 21-point victory on Saturday.
Wodonga climbed to sixth on the ladder with a brilliant, seven-goal first term providing the platform for its latest victory.
Young ruckman Zac Harding starred in his first match for Wodonga this season and Adam Jorgenson, Matt Wilson and key defender Charlie Morrison also guaranteed there was no second half revival from Corowa-Rutherglen, which has slumped to ninth spot with a 1-5 record and reigning premiers Wangaratta Rovers and North Albury awaiting after the interleague bye.
Cresswell returned to the O&M this season after previously coaching Rovers and Wodonga Raiders and took both clubs to finals.
Armed with a swag of recruits, optimism was high Corowa-Rutherglen could also be pushing for September action.
But bedding down a new look team from last year when the club returned from 2023 in recess has become Cresswell’s biggest challenge in the O&M.
Three weeks ago Corowa-Rutherglen led Albury by 27 points at the last change, but faded badly in the last quarter to lose narrowly before being thrashed by Myrtleford.
One of the club’s recruits who played in a flag under Cresswell at South Cairns last year, Josh Clayton has departed and was best-on-ground for Kaniva-Leeor in the Horsham District league on Saturday.
Ruckman Nathan Richards, another recruit, was sorely missed for the second week in a row after battling a lower leg injury against Albury.
GIPPSLAND
Morwell emerged from a three-match losing streak that threatened to derail its finals chances to beat Maffra by three points.
Midfielder Burkeley MacFarlane collected 35 possessions, including 11 in the last quarter, to ensure Morwell scraped home after trailing by 17 points at halftime.
Maffra was poised for a repeat of its huge upset win against reigning premier Traralgon at home recently when young guns Jack McQuillen and Noah Christy were prominent in the first half.
Brandon McDonald helped turn the tide for Morwell with three goals and teammate Cohen Campbell regained the lead for the visitors late in the third term.
Morwell coach Boyd Bailey stretched the lead to nine points early in the final term of the match played in slippery conditions.
But Maffra stayed in the hunt when another youngster, Archer Watt, converted from 25m out to trim the margin to less than a goal.
Morwell had lost its last three matches to top-five teams Traralgon, Wonthaggi and Leongatha, and was desperate for a win.
Morwell has moved to fifth, but plays ladder leader Moe next round with the Lions pulling away in the second half to beat Sale by 34 points.
Recruits Alex Dijkstra, Nathan Scagliarini and Tom Murphy were named in Moe’s best.
Murphy is captain of VFL club Frankston which had the bye.
BENDIGO
Strathfieldsaye is in danger of being September onlookers for one of the few times in their short, but successful history after falling to Eaglehawk by 36 points on Saturday.
Storm has only win from the first five rounds with early season injuries to key players, Daniel Clohesy and James Schishka, playing a part in its slow start.
Eaglehawk was able to bounce back from its first loss of the season to Gisborne and plays reigning premier Sandhurst in a fortnight.
Ruckman Brayden Frost continued his great form for the Hawks, who kicked nine goals to four after halftime.
Eaglehawk co-coach Clayton Holmes was the most dominant forward on the ground with four goals and Sam Heavyside was again among Strathfieldsaye’s best players in his return this season from Kerang.
Originally published as Ovens & Murray: Corowa-Rutherglen slumps to 1-5 as young Wodonga ruckman Zac Harding stars
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