Hurstbridge too much for Whittlesea in NFL Division 1 Anzac Day clash

Joel Naylor kicked a miracle and star big man Michael Florance “wound back the clock” as Hurstbridge dialled up the pressure on Whittlesea.

Hurstbridge's Michael Florance in action. Picture: Nathan McNeill

Hurstbridge withstood a withering Whittlesea comeback to claim a critical four points on Monday.

The Bridges’ claimed the standalone Northern Football League Anzac Day clash by 24 points, repelling two final-quarter surges in a tense finish at Whittlesea Showgrounds.

Michael Florance “wound back the clock” with a best-on-ground performance, while Cooper Perrin was superb up front with four goals and skipper Lachie East was dominant in defence.

The Eagles only have themselves to blame, missing a host of golden opportunities, in the 16.8 (104) to 11.14 (80) defeat.

Hurstbridge’s manic pressure was too much for the home team, forced into a series of turnovers and disciplinary mistakes.

The Anzac Day ceremony at Whittlesea Showgrounds. Picture: Ben Higgins

Bridges’ co-coach Brayden Shaw said the team prided itself on pressure, from the smalls to the talls.

“That’s what we have to base our game on. We probably don’t have the quality of some other sides, so if our pressure is up – that’s how we kick high scores,” he said.

“We try to keep the opposition to under that 10-goal mark every week, we were probably a bit lucky today – if Whittlesea had have kicked straight it might have been a bit different – but if we’re pressuring them to miss goals then we’re doing our job.

“We’ve got four or five blokes over that 6’5 mark who really whack on the pressure and can tunnel in like a midfielder.”

“We’re really proud of the boys, to come up here, that’s a really hard win, especially on a special occasion.

“(Whittlesea) are a very talented, well-coached side, you don’t beat the double reigning premier for nothing, so Jarrod and I are really proud.”

Trailing by 19 points at three-quarter-time, Whittlesea dialled up their own pressure in the fourth term.

The Eagles kicked three of the first four goals to draw within seven points before Cooper Barbera slotted a gem from the boundary line to break the momentum.

Hurstbridge’s Ethan Taylor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

NFL footy: Macleod v Whittlesea Brody Bell attempts to mark for Whittlesea. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The home team came again in the dying minutes but will rue inaccuracy in front of the big sticks.

Returning to his junior club, Joel Naylor provided the highlight of the day, kicking a Goal of the Year contender.

Deep in the forward pocket, with a tackler hanging off him, the key forward threw the ball on the boot and it miraculously sailed through.

The Team of the Year star finished with two goals, playing sidekick to Perrin, while Sam House, Sunny Brazier and Barbera proved dangerous.

“I’ll tell him he was centring it but he’ll tell me he kicked it,” Shaw said of Naylor’s goal.

“It took Joel a while to get into the game, he was a bit nervy because he’s a Whittlesea junior, but he kept working.

“That’s the great thing about Joel – you might keep him down for two quarters but he’ll eventually wear you down – and he put the icing on the cake for us today.”

Florance shone in the ruck, combining well with Hurstbridge midfielders Ben Beaven, Liam Middleton and Bryce East.

“I thought our onballers really stood up after half-time – Ben Beaven, Bryce East, Liam Middleton and our two wingers Mitch Dale and Will Cookson – they were all outstanding.

“I take that group and we take it personally if we get beat, I gave them a serve at half-time, I thought we could go to another level, and we really whacked on the pressure.”

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However, the win was soured by a groin injury to key forward Bailey Jordan.

On a short week, the goalkicker is racing the clock to be fit for Saturday’s home clash against Bundoora.

Whittlesea captain Xavier Dimasi toiled hard in midfield, while Taidhg Bland, David Mennen and Mitch Andrews impressed.

The Eagles will look to bounce back when they welcome Heidelberg to the showgrounds.