Holmes Fires Eight as Wildcats Topple Ladder Leaders
Holmes Fires Eight as Wildcats Topple Ladder Leaders
Woodside produced one of its best performances of the season to claim a significant 29-point victory over ladder leaders Cowwarr, prevailing 17.9 (110) to 11.16 (82) in a high-quality North Gippsland Football Netball League clash.
The final margin failed to tell the full story, with Cowwarr left to lament a wasteful afternoon in front of goal. The Saints actually had one more scoring shot than Woodside, finishing with 27 attempts to the Wildcats' 26, but costly inaccuracy – including several missed opportunities from close range – proved the difference.
Despite missing Michaelidis, Luke Johnson and Josh Morgan, while Thomas King remained sidelined, the Wildcats barely missed a beat. Askew, Wilson and Jeffs came into the side and played their roles in an impressive team performance.
Coach Hudson Holmes said the response from his players after disappointing recent performances was exactly what the group had demanded of itself.
"It was simple, we put it to the group to respond, especially after the Heyfield game and even our loss to Cowwarr in Round 2," Holmes said.
"We gave no excuses and played hard footy for two hours."
Woodside made an ideal start, spearheaded by Holmes. The captain booted the opening two goals of the match and helped create another as the Wildcats burst out of the blocks.
Cowwarr had plenty of early opportunities but squandered several gettable chances before eventually finding their rhythm. The Saints briefly looked capable of taking control, edging ahead 5.5 (35) to 4.3 (27) at quarter-time.
Woodside responded strongly in the second term, lifting its pressure around the contest and reducing the margin to just eight points at the main break, 7.7 (49) to 6.5 (41).
Holmes said the difference wasn't simply better finishing in front of goal.
"It wasn't necessarily composure or taking our chances. It was about our ball movement to allow good shots at goal. We worked the ball really well," he said.
The Wildcats then produced a match-winning third quarter, restricting Cowwarr's scoring while piling on five goals to establish a seven-point advantage at the final change.
Holmes said there were no major tactical changes at halftime, just a commitment to sticking with the team's structures.
"Not much changed. We just stuck with our structure and fought hard, and it went our way in the third quarter," he said.
From there, Woodside controlled proceedings, finishing strongly to record one of its most significant wins of the season against the competition's benchmark side.
Holmes who readily admitted that his game against Heyfield was one of his worst, led from the front with a magnificent eight-goal haul and was awarded the umpires' Best on Ground NAIDOC Medal.
"Well, I couldn't have played any worse (against Heyfield), but to be able to focus on my game as a player and then assess our coaching at the breaks helped a lot," he said.
Brody Stainer provided excellent support with four goals, while Cooper Ryan kicked two. Ryan Foat, Adam Janssen and Daniel Missen also added majors.
Foat was named Woodside's best player ahead of Adam Janssen, Riley Denovan, Rowan Missen, Ben Johnson and Stainer.
One v two lived up to all expectations with a huge crowd in attendance witnessing both teams going hard at it for the four quarters. There would have been many sore bodies on Sunday morning. Woodside Daniel Missen would have been one after he received two head knocks throughout the game.
The first came when he was driven into the goal post during the opening quarter and later receiving stay elbow which resulted in a free kick in front of goals.
For Cowwarr, Tristen Waack, Ben Coffey, Mitchell McMaster, Jack Johnstone, Timothy Johnston and Patrick Tainsh were their leading contributors.
