Local Footy: Slick River Murray steam over Superdogs

 

By Nick Kossatch

 

The Riverland Superdogs failed to capitalise on their midfield centre clearance dominance to go down by 32 points against River Murray at Mannum Oval on Sunday.

 

 The under-strength visitors were off to a sluggish start but were encouraged by the efforts of East Murray recruit Dave Francis.

 

The big forward bowled a few of the host players over in a strong display.

 

A spectator told his mum; “Look, there are little people playing out there.”

 

That was in reference to the Superdogs Johnny ‘The Whiz’ Barrett as the small forward was lining up for a goal straight in front but only for the paramedic to miss!

 

He ended with two goals to be one of the better players.

 

Brendon Rowe, despite his baby-face looks, played a mature game at fullback.

 

A player who struggles in the mature nature in personality, Paul ‘Weeds’ Matthews, again was outstanding in the centre as was Brett ‘Greeny’ Greenslade.

 

He relished happy Port Adelaide supporter Nick Kossatch’s taps, but that is all ‘Kossy’ was useful at.

 

There was a passage of play between Trevor ‘Ted’ Faehrmann and the recovered Sid Norton where both players shared some 10 possessions between them before ‘coughing’ the ball up to the opposition.

 

Player-coach, Darren Tieste, finally played in a position where he had to man up out of a back pocket.

 

He was superb, often being out-reached (which is not hard to do), but was able to spoil and provide rebound.

 

That is what the Superdogs will be keen to do against Blackwood when these sides meet at Berri Oval on Sunday 19^th July.

 

RIVER MURRAY 10.8 (68) d. RIVERLAND SUPERDOGS 5.6 (36)

GOALS: J. Barrett 2, C. White; D. Francis; T. Faehrmann 1

BEST: D. Tieste, P. Matthews, B. Rowe, B. Greenslade, D. Francis, J. Barrett