Wodonga triumphed over Corowa-Rutherglen with a decisive 23-point victory in the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League on July 15, 2023. The final score stood at 15.7 (97) to 11.8 (74), showcasing Wodonga’s dominance in the second half of the match.
Key to Wodonga’s success was defender Gabe Crothers, who effectively contained Kaelan Bradtke, the leading goalkicker in the league. Bradtke, who had been performing consistently throughout the season, found it difficult to make an impact as Crothers applied relentless pressure. Additionally, Noah Spiteri, another crucial player for Wodonga, was closely marked, limiting his scoring opportunities.
Wodonga co-coach Jack O’Sullivan reflected on the match, stating, “They bought a lot of pressure around the ball. It was fiercely contested, but we broke the game open in the third quarter with 15 minutes of really good footy.” This pivotal third quarter saw Wodonga outscore Corowa-Rutherglen with an impressive 8.0 to 3.3, extending their lead from seven points at half-time to a commanding 34 points.
Wodonga’s offensive efforts were bolstered by contributions from Jett Cassidy and Jai Hymus, who each scored three goals. Further support came from Reuben Bourke and Tom Miller, both of whom added two goals to the tally. For Corowa-Rutherglen, interleague defender Cody Schutt, along with Jordan Foote and Angus Curry, also scored doubles, but it was not enough to swing the game in their favor.
Despite the loss, Corowa-Rutherglen’s Jordan Eyers stood out for the second week in a row, demonstrating his skill and determination. Other notable players for the Roos included Riley Irvin, Jack Rowston, and Josh Cresswell, who consistently performed well throughout the match.
In addition to the victory, Wodonga faced a setback with defender Rhys Venturoni sustaining a quad injury, raising concerns about his availability for their upcoming critical match against Myrtleford.
Overall, Wodonga’s performance solidified their position in the league, highlighting both their offensive firepower and defensive capabilities, while Crothers’ standout performance against Bradtke showcased the depth and talent within the team.
