Harry Minton-Connell and Jake Sutton fire Calder Cannons to third straight NAB League win
Son of a gun Harry Minton-Connell and Jake Sutton produce eye-catching performances as Calder Cannons claim a third straight NAB League victory on the road against Bendigo Pioneers.
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A third straight win has Calder Cannons primed for a NAB League finals tilt.
The Cannons regained their Vic Metro guns for the trip to Bendigo and returned with four points after a 20-point win over the Pioneers on Sunday.
However, it was the performances of Harry Minton-Connell and Jake Sutton that would have grabbed AFL recruiters’ attention.
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Son of a gun Minton-Connell racked up 34 disposals (16 contested), 12 clearances and two goals in the 13.14 (92) to 10.12 (72) victory.
The 180cm forward isn’t father-son eligible with Simon Minton-Connell’s 46 games for Hawthorn the most he played at one of his four clubs.
Sutton, 186cm, stuffed the stat sheet with 18 touches, four marks, four tackles, seven inside 50s and three goals off half-forward.
Cannons coach Ross Smith praised his two youngsters.
“We played (Harry) forward in the third quarter and he kicked the first two goals,” he said.
“He was onball for the three other quarters … he was clean, he just makes things happen when he gets the ball.
“I think (his AFL chances) are pretty good but he didn’t make Vic Metro, so the reality is he might have to go the long road.
“I thought it was a real complete game from Jake in his second week back from a knee injury.
“He kicked three, he gave a few off, 18 touches for a forward was just fantastic, I thought he was a big reason why we won.”
Sam Ramsay continued his fine form with 28 disposals, nine marks and a goal, while Ned Gentile collected 18 possessions, five tackles and two majors.
Daniel Mott (19 disposals), Brodie Newman (17) and Harry Jones (two goals) were all “serviceable” in their return from Vic Metro.
“I think it will take them a while, they’ll admit they weren’t at their best,” Smith said.
“I suppose the tempo of the game is a bit different at this level compared to Metro.”
Calder sit sixth on the NAB League ladder, percentage behind Sandringham Dragons in fourth.
The Cannons face Greater Western Victoria Rebels in Ballarat this weekend before a bye and Eastern Ranges at home in the final round.
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