The Nexus SWFL team have lost their opening round robin match in the Nutrien Ag Country Championships by a point to Peel at Sullivans Logistic Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The opening half was a free-flowing affair with seven goals kicked between the two teams, before both defensive units dominated the second half.
Cameron Gavin kicked the opening goal of the match in the opening minute to give Peel the lead, before the South West displayed some great passages of play, with Cooper Clarke-Dehring replying immediately after receiving a bullet like handball from Mitch Tenardi. Two minutes later Jarrod Cameron completed an end to end play and when Liam Creighton marked and goaled from 30m, four goals had been kicked in the opening six minutes, and the South West led by twelve points.
Riese Wilkey marked and goaled for Peel midway through the opening half, but the South West were able to extend the margin after Jace Cormack received a free kick. Tye Salter found himself alone and unattended late in the term to reduce the margin to five points close to half time.
Conversely, the second half was a dour affair and it took thirteen minutes for the first goal of the quarter, with Paul Rinder converting deep in the left forward pocket to give the South West a handy buffer. But when Cameron Gavin goaled on the run, the margin was reduced again to five points, with Riese Wilkey kicking the winner with 45 seconds remaining.
Match Centre
Peel 3.1.19 5.2.32
South West 4.1.25 5.1.31
Goals: Peel – Cameron Gavin 2, Riese Wilkey 2, Tye Salter 1. South West – Jarrod Cameron 1, Cooper Clarke-Dehring 1, Jace Cormack 1, Liam Creighton 1, Paul Rinder 1.
Best: Peel – Ira Jetta, Brett Hill, Jeffrey Carter, Riese Wilkey, Cameron Gavin, Joshua Smartt. South West – Connor Carbone, Liam Creighton, Jack Saunders
Ground: Sullivans Logistic Stadium
Umpires: Zak Schurko, Sam Verdon, Cameron Valenti
Coach Seth White addressing the team at Half Time. Photo courtesy of Matt Hislop