With both sides in similar positions on the ladder in the Kyabram District league this season, Rushworth was ultimately stronger in the battle between the two, extending their lead at each break before a stalemate of a final quarter meant the scoreline stayed below 30 points.
The Towners kicked 6.18 in the clash, with greater accuracy making it a closer contest, though Rushworth also looked quite wasteful, kicking more behinds than goals and finishing with 11.17.
Matt McCarty proved the Towners’ best shot on goal on the day, finishing with three majors to add to his tally of 24 this season, while Jayden Guppy continued his great form, being named best on ground.
Violet Town now sit 13th on the ladder after eight rounds, and will need to further challenge teams in the back half of the season if they are to add any more wins on the board.
They will face another tough challenge next round when they host fourth-placed Merrigum on Saturday, and will need to bring everything they have if they are to come away with a surprise win.
Final score: Rushworth 11.17 (83) def Violet Town 6.18 (54)
Goal Kickers: M. McCarty 3, N. Abley, J. Cripps
Best Players: J. Guppy, A. Duff, R. Jennings, M. McCarty, J. Bewick, A. Triffitt
Reserves
Violet Town’s reserve side recorded its most dominant win of the season on Saturday, whipping Rushworth by 159 points in round eight of the Kyabram District league.
The Towners were systematic in their game play, increasing the lead at every break, which included 40 points at quarter-time, 89 at half-time and 98 at three-quarter time, before piling on a whooping 61 points in the final 30 minutes.
Nick Papakalodoukas was again prominent for the Towners, kicking four goals to feature in the side’s best, and surely must be nearing a seniors berth after featuring in the seconds’ best in all seven of his appearances this season, which includes five best-on-ground honours.
Eddie Kozole also dominated down forward for Violet Town and finished with an eight-goal haul to go along with his five goals in the round-one win over Ardmona and four majors in the team’s round five win over Longwood.
Final score: Rushworth 4.6 (30) def by Violet Town 29.15 (189)
Goal Kickers: E. Kozole 8, D. Edwards 5, N. Papakalodoukas 4, J. Fox 3, J. Hynes 3, J. Silverii 3, D. Mulcahy 2, R. Dowell
Best Players: E. Kozole, N. Papakalodoukas, J. Hynes, R. Dowell, D. Mulcahy, D. Edwards
