By Sally Heathcote
Centrals hosted South at Memorial Oval in the Indigenous Round on Saturday. Following a moving welcome to country from Taunoa Bugmy the home team kicked with the breeze in the first quarter and opened with long goals to Jack Crozier and new recruit Matt Westaway.
Central had the better of the early contest until a neat chain of disposals saw Codi Schorn bag his first for the afternoon.
South began to run the ball and looked good with Mitch Henderson providing first use of the ball in the ruck. Schorn was gifted his second goal after Rourke Turner rolled his ankle in a strong mark and was forced to the bench.
Dylan Browne was proving a very good target upfront for South stabbing his first goal through from 30 metres against the breeze.
Central hit back with a goal from Aaron Jory and another from Caiden Deckert after a diving mark. Brayden Beesley showed the way with some classy touches in his first game for Central. Quarter time and the game was evenly poised.
Quarter Time
Central 4.3. (27), South 4.0. (24)
South opened their account in the second quarter with two quick goals putting Centrals key defenders under immense pressure.
Their strong physical contest and accuracy by hand and foot were telling.
Deckert was swung into the ruck in an effort to reduce South’s dominance in the stoppages.
While Central defenders had repelled South’s attacks with a strong zone in the first quarter the twin spear heads of Codi Schorn and Dylan Brown were now threatening to take the game away.
South kicked 6 goals 3 for the quarter to break the game open going into half time.
Half Time
Central 5.3. (33), South 10.3. (63)
In the third quarter the battle seesawed back and forth with neither side landing a blow in the first fifteen minutes.
Relentless South pressure finally delivered the first major for the quarter through Codi Schorn. Central repeatedly blocked the path to goal with their strong defence filling the holes.
Conversely, each time Central took the ball forward South was able to turn the ball over and launch another forward raid.
The delivery into the South forwards was impressive whether they were on a lead or dropping back to goal.
Having limited Heath Caldwell’s influence in the first half, Aaron Jory was released and kicked long inside 50 on several occasions only for the mark to be spoiled with the 150 game milestone player Jordan Holmes controlling the backs.
The ground ball was roved well but the Central snaps on goal were all wide of the mark. In contrast, South’s forays were more telling.
Three Quarter Time
Central 5.6. (36), South 13.6. (84)
The fourth quarter opened with 200 gamer Mark Purcell combining with Heath Caldwell to drive South forward.
Codi Schorn was the complete footballer with outstanding forward pressure and sublime foot skills. Central were not able to capitalise on good work from Josh Hanford and Mat Sullivan.
At the other end Nick Devoy got into good positions but otherwise had a frustrating day. Heath Caldwell set up much of South’s attack and was rewarded with a goal from 40 metres out after a clever balk.
Schorn could not be contained and with South now dominating the centre Caldwell scored again from a blistering run onto a bouncing ball in the right half flank for a beautiful running goal.
Phil Neal found himself clear and goaled straight after coming on.
South underlined their dominance piling on eight unanswered goals in the 4th quarter to close out the match. To their credit Central fought to the end but it was South’s big day.
Full time
Central 5.7. (37), South 21.13.(139)
