Dominant second half sees Ivanhoe secure big win over Reservoir

Reservoir unveiled a number of its big off-season recruits but Ivanhoe crashed the party with a dominant second half setting up a thumping win.

Wayne Schultz in action for Ivanhoe. Picture: Field of View Photography

All eyes were on Reservoir on Saturday after the Mustangs’ impressive off-season.

However, Ivanhoe showed it will be a force to be reckoned with this NFNL Division 3 season as it claimed a thumping 53-point victory at Crispe Park.

A dominant second half – booting eight goals to three – propelled the Hoers to a 16.12 (108) to 8.7 (55) win.

Both clubs had 15 new faces from Round 18 last year.

However, Ivanhoe were quick, clean and clinical for much of the match, while in contrast, Reservoir has work to do on fitness and connection but will be better for the run.

The Mustangs’ big summer arrivals such as Levi Greenwood, Aaron Edwards, Ricky Dyson, Tyle Williams, Josh Grabowski and new captain Joe Pallazzolo had moments but were inconsistent.

After an even first half, Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz praised his team’s ability to run the game out.

“We know with the competition, every week is going to be an arm-wrestle, we’re kidding ourselves if we think there’s going to be an easy one,” Schultz said.

“We spoke to the boys about riding out the storm early, we knew it would come – respect to Reservoir, credit to Rohan and the crew it’s amazing what they have done to recruit such great experience.

“We rode the storm around the contest and played a bit of territory and as the game broke open, with our fitness, there would be opportunities.”

Jamie Lay was given the task of tagging Greenwood and produced an outstanding opening term, to get his side up and running.

Schultz, Flynn Bergman and Charles Robinson impressed midfield.

Up forward, Greensborough premiership teammates Daniel McLinden (four goals) and Tristan Stead (three) proved too much to handle.

However, Schultz was impressed with his backline and how well his new recruits had settled in.

“LJ (Liam Jacob) our full-back gave us a lot, there were some powerful key forwards down deep for Reservoir and he always got a spoil in to half a lot of contests,” he said.

“Flynn Bergman, a young fella off the half-back flank, which was different for him, so he was great.

“The new boys settled in well, that’s one of the unknowns when you change the dynamic of the group.

“They play to our system well, Xav (Mitchell) was outstanding in the second half – we had him on a wing and we shifted him forward and gave us plenty.”

In an open first quarter, Ivanhoe booted five goals to take a 15-point lead into the first break.

The game remained close but the Hoers still managed to extend their advantage to 24 points at the half.

It was a different game after the break as the visitors did as they pleased, consistently moving the ball from defence to offence with little resistance.

A 40-point three-quarter-time margin threatened to blow out but Reservoir’s defence held up stoutly under pressure, which will please coach Rohan Davies at least.

Schultz was pleased with his team’s ability to transition and counter-attack.

“The pressure was amazing, it was part of our DNA last year,” he said.

“I guess the jury is out, we focused on defence first last year and getting that right to be competitive in the NFNL.

“We need to continue that, we protected the corridor really well and that allowed us to get going.”

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For Reservoir, Grabowski was named best afield, while ruckman Jaise Coleman battled manfully, Paul Scanlon found plenty of it across half-back, Rob Holland was busy and Williams and Palazzolo also stood tall.

The Mustangs will look to improve against Old Eltham Collegians next weekend, while Ivanhoe tackles Heidelberg West, which impressed in its Round 1 win over the Turtles.

The Hawks claimed a 35-point win to kick off their campaign in style.

Elsewhere, Fitzroy Stars welcomed Laurimar back to Division 3 with a 24-point triumph, Epping was too good for Mernda in a 31-point victory and Kilmore smashed Lalor by 122 points.