Local Footy: Bigger things beckon for Barmera-Monash

By Nick Kossatch

Barmera-Monash easily defeated non-finalists Berri by 43 points in the final minor round in the RFL A-grade at Barmera Oval.

The Roos produced a scintillating eight-goal first quarter with ruck-rover Dillon Millard in rare form and Robert Price booting three goals.

Jack Selfe, Lachlan Middleton and Andrew Nunan dominated the stoppages for the home side.

Berri had no answers to the onslaught apart from determined efforts from Jake Langdon, Ty Allen and Kirk Harwood as it looked like they faced a massive thrashing but Daniel Dawson eased the Demons crisis with their first goal.

Barmera lead by 44 points at quarter-time but the visitors, courtesy of Dylan Brookes, halved that advantage by half time with a five-goal to two goal second stanza.

Salisbury North product Brookes produced a purple patch with a four-goal burst after a Murray Middleton six-pointer at the start of the second term.

The classy David Hankin was the perfect foil for Brookes as Barmera’s earlier momentum was stalled but ‘Mickey’ Millard had some 20 touches in the first half.

The Roos re-established their authority in the third quarter and Travis Wilson showed all that he is the quickest player in the RFL by burning off his Berri opponent to kick his second goal.

It is interesting to see if AFL talent scouts are aware of the silky-skilled Wilson.

Barmera captain Ryan Villis booted two goals as the wind increased making the game somewhat scrambly.

Price kicked his fourth major after terrific anticipation from Matthew Leigh intercepted a Hankin kick.

The finals-bound Roos enjoyed a seven-goal buffer at three-quarter time in a stanza highlighted by Brookes’ fifth goal and Dean Storic’s trademark hanger over fellow ruckman Brett Duffin.

Both sides booted two-goals each in the last quarter as they went through the motions.

Wilson’s major, after he weaved and sold the dummy to three Berri defenders, would be a ‘goal of the year’ contender.

If only it did exist in the RFL.

Dillon Millard was superb from start to finish, Selfe and Nunan were not far behind as contenders for the best afield honours.

WRITER’S AWARD VOTES

5: Dillon Millard (BM)

4. J. Selfe (BM)

3. A. Nunan (BM)

2. D. Brookes (B)

1. J. Langdon (B)

About Nicholas Kossatch

Tall and intelligent and athletically built who calls a spade a spade. Love sports writing and sending letters and texts to the editor about AFL and the Port Adelaide Power - win, lose or draw. I do not sit on the fence. Soon to be 40! I play basketball and over 35's supers football. Have played amateur footy and a bit of cricket and basketball when living in Adelaide. Do some writing for the Murray Pioneer,

Leave a Comment

*