The NARA South West League team have started their title defence at the Nutrien Ag Country Championships with a solid victory over Avon, at Sullivans Logistics Stadium on Friday morning.
The South West started brillianty, kicking three goals in the opening six minutes to have their opponents on the back foot. Zac Trigwell would kick the first two goals of the game, and looked very dangerous, taking two good marks to set the tone for the Championship. Jozef Parkinson snapped a clever goal, as the South West led by 18 points, before Avon had a chance to take the ball forward of the centre.
Avon did eventually kick a goal, but it was immediately answered by Parkinson again, as Kade Szyszka and Tom Gorter started to dominate, getting plenty of possessions. Jye Clarke would kick the South West’s fifth goal of the half, again from a set shot as the defending Champions went to half time with a nineteen point lead. The shot was made possible courtesy of some brilliance by Ty Anderson, who got the ball to Clarke with a kick on the outside of the boot, while running away from the target.
Tom Lee reduced the margin back to thirteen points at the start of the second half, but again the South West answered with a goal to Baiden Parsons with a set shot. Despite fine conditions, many players were falling over on a very slippery surface, which resulted in turn-overs to both sides. The margin remained at thirteen points for the majority of the second half, but Matt Burton kicked a great goal on the run, to put the game beyond reach of Avon.
South West have one further game on day one at 2.00pm against Peel.
SCOREBOARD
NARA South West 5.2.32 7.8.50
Avon 2.1.13 4.2.26
Goals: South West – Zac Trigwell 2, Jozef Parkinson 2, Jye Clark 1, Baiden Parsons 1, Matt Burton 1. Avon – Tom Lee 2, Kane La Fontaine 1, Jordan Lee 1.
Best: South West – Luke English, Jozef Parkinson, Jack Fletcher. Avon – Corey Dixon, Rhett Lloyd, Thomas Lee
Ground: Sullivans Logistics Stadium
Umpires: Zac Schurko (Peel), Sam Verdon (Peel), Marc Worobec
