Recap

Big finish not quite enough against Lions

By Chris Gordon

Finally having good player numbers and playing at home looked to be good omens for the Dirty Reds, but they weren’t enough to secure a win against Wests Lions on Saturday.

Despite few people needing to back up, and the return of Dallas Brown and Brad Clements, all of the scoreboard traffic went to the Lions in the first half. By half time they’d run in three unconverted tries but what that figure doesn’t reveal is the outstanding defensive performance for the 20+ minutes between the first and second try in swamp-like conditions in their own quarter.

It was felt that running down to the bog like Addison Street end in the second half would be more productive, and it was. Dallas Brown scored a try, converted by Brandon Courts three minutes into the second half and he gap was reduced to 8 points. Wests scored an unconverted try five minutes later before Brown and Courts combined again 12 minutes into the second half, and now the gap was reduced to 6 points.

The tempo lifted for Goulburn and they spent much of the remainder of the match pressuring Wests line, but the Lions proved able to absorb it and even added another try for the final 27 to 14 result.

As with the reserve grade side, the result wasn’t what the side wanted but the progression is promising as they begin to build their combination and confidence.

Next weekend both men’s sides have the bye while the women play Uni-Norths at Griffith Oval.

Wests 27 bt Goulburn 14 (Dallas Brown 2 tries, Brandon Courts 2 conversions).

• Above photo and below gallery courtesy Peter Oliver Imagery. 

Best & Fairest Points

3 – Dallas Brown
2 – Campbell Kruger
1 – Jayde Coggan

Players’ Player

Henry Cooper

By the Clock:

8 mins – Wests try (0-5)
32 mins – Wests try (0-10)
34 mins – Wests try (0-15)

38 mins – Dallas Brown try, Brandon Courts conv. (7-15)
43 mins – Wests try (7-20)
47 mins – Dallas Brown try, Courts conv. (14-20)
58 mins – Wests converted try (14-27)