Merbein 2.0 6.2 7.3 10.9 (69)
Imperials 2.1 4.2 7.4 8.7 (55)
GOAL KICKERS: MERBEIN: V. Rodi 3, A Rowe 2, A. Coluccio 2, M. Harradine 2, A. Arden 1. IMPERIALS: C Darby 3, B Hards 2, B Galbraith 2, D Hankin 1.
BEST: MERBEIN: V. Rodi, D. Tung, A Rowe, C Robinson, A Coluccio, M Rix. IMPERIALS: B. Hards, B. Galbraith, M. Mazzini, C. Derby, PJ Petrucci, R Burns.
By Heath Kendall
BITTERLY cold, windy conditions and sub-standard football don’t make for a very entertaining Saturday afternoon, but that was what spectators faced at Brian Weightman Oval as Merbein got the points against a depleted Imperials.
The Magpies’ persistence paid off, kicking four final-quarter goals to run out winners by 14 points, 10.9 (69) to 8.7 (55), but if they are going to press for a finals berth, a lot of improvement will be needed.
Imperials were decimated prior to the game, with several key players missing through injury, illness and work commitments, leaving them scarping the barrel and forced to elevate a number of reserve grade players to fill the numbers, highlighting a lack of depth in the club.
With key forwards Luke Hickey, Jarrod McNally and Jayden Fox missing, defender Reagan Scott out with a calf injury and classy mid-fielder Alex Douglas also watching from the sidelines, the green machine were always going to struggle.
Kicking against a strong breeze in the opening quarter, Merbein set their win up with two goals against the flow, while restricting Imps also to two majors.
In a game littered by skill errors, neither side was able to get the ascendancy, but eventually, kicking with the wind in the final term, it was the Magpies who drew clear thanks mainly to the class of small forward Vinnie Rodi, who provided a target in front of goal all day.
Rodi proved a handful for the Imps defenders, slotting through three majors in very difficult conditions as he led his side to victory. Ash Rowe, Anthony Coluccio and Michael Harradine kicked two each, while Andrew Arden hit the scoreboard once, in an even team performance.
David Tung was outstanding in defence for the Pies, his sure hands and excellent field kicking repelling many forward thrusts, while veteran midfielder Brad Hards showed age has no limits as led the charge for Imperials with a best-on-ground performance.
The win was the Magpies’ second for 2022, and in what is shaping as an even season, keeps them in touch with the top four, something not lost on Rodi.
“We knew with the way the conditions the way they were it was always going to be a slog and Imps are always one of those sides who just keep coming at you,” Rodi said.
“Something you just have to win ugly and I think we were able to do that today and credit to our back six, who I thought did a fantastic job all day, particularly in that first quarter.”
For Imperials, the loss hurt as they press for a top four position. But despite not getting the four points, coach Mark Wheatley had plenty of positives to take away from the game with the move of Ben Galbraith up forward proving a masterstroke.
Galbraith is one of the emerging stars of the competition, but he has forged his reputation in defence, but with a forward line lacking height and class, Wheatley threw his young charge to centre-half-forward and he didn’t let him down, providing a mobile target across four quarters as he worked tirelessly to lift his side.
His only blemish, not being able to hit the scoreboard enough, an area of his game he needs to improve if he is to become the elite player most expect he has the ability to become. His coach is a huge fan who thinks higher standards await if he wants to put the work in.
“I’ve been talking to Ben (Galbraith) about running through the mid-field and up forward for a while now, so it is something which has been on our radar for a while, but with so many missing today it was a chance to try a few different things,” Wheatley said.
“Ben has everything clubs in the AFL are looking for. He’s quick, tall and athletic, it really comes down to whether he wants to put the work in to take the next step.
“I certainly believe he can play and play successfully at a much higher level.”
