Local Footy: Riverland Super Dogs give it to the Phantoms at Lobethal

By Nick Kossatch

Finally the Riverland Superdogs made it another win against Adelaide-based Phantoms at Lobethal Oval by seven points in the Master’s Football League on Sunday.

It was a keenly-fought and titanic struggle, especially by Paringa Independent Football League (and 99-game player) Paul Matthews, who let his contents show at half time.

He and a fellow tall and rucking team-mate suffered after the Miss Paringa Footy Show the previous night.

The ‘Dogs were off to a shocking start as the hosts established a solid lead at quarter time by 17 points.

Matthews, again, was amongst it, getting hard-ball wins.

Newcomer Don Gardiner had an enthralling clash with Elvis Presley clone ‘Leo’ – but ‘is Don was good against the Phantoms’ show-pony.

‘Elvis’ had almost left the playing arena as some Doggy players remonstrated with the side-burn-clad forward and he soon thought that hamburgers were a treat.

Jeffro Coates displayed nous up forward and a one-handed mark just underlined the Bridgestone tyre-fitter’s skill and ability to perform in front of a large crowd (and good-looking female customers at his work).

The Doggie’s made a change, courtesy of Brett Greenslade’s suggestion to coach Darren Tieste, at three-quarter-time.

It worked a treat with Peter Hoffmann switched to full-forward.

His goal from over his head was as flukey as it gets but the eagerly-fought (to ruck for Berri A-grade) ‘Hoffy’ has other ideas.

They are that he wants to remain in a winning club!

Whilst ‘Weeds’ Matthews coughed and spluttered through another brilliant game, Shane ‘Rowdy’ Healy made sure that the Superdog’s broke their losing streak with a neat goal from a Rick Frahn hand-pass.

It was a wonderful bus trip home high-lighted by Paul “George Clooney’ Arnold’s one-liners.

The Superdogs confront Portland on Sunday 23^rd August at Berri Oval.

SUPERDOGS: 6.17 (55) d PHANTOMS: 7.6 (48)

GOALS: J. Coates: B. Greenslade: P. Matthews: P. Hoffmann: J. Barrett: S. Healy 1

BEST: M. Wilksch, P. Matthews, P. Hoffmann, D. Gardiner, D. Francis, P. Arnold