NAVARRE Grasshoppers dominated all four quarters of their clash against Maldon in the Maryborough Castlemaine and District Football League.
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Navarre were able to keep their opposition goalless for the first time in many seasons and with that recorded their strongest win of the year.
While the scoreboard did not reflect the physicality of the contest, Navarre was always in control.
Navarre ran out winners 23.21.159 to Maldon’s 0.2.2.
Coaching panel member Louis Hannett said the fight for the football was tough and at times Navarre felt the pressure that was being applied.
“When the ball was in dispute, they certainly threw their weight around,” Hannett said.
“They had a couple of big bodies which we struggled to contest. For the first time Navarre looked to be the smaller team.”
While the game was physical, the skills and fitness of the Navarre players was on display as Maldon began to fatigue.
Plenty of Navarre’s younger brigade were forced to step up with senior players such as Daniel Parkin, Ash Driscoll and Brent Flood all missing.
Cody Driscoll took control of the forward line kicking five goals while Aaron Slorach played his best game of senior football to date.
Dale Ansell took over in the ruck from Josh Fowkes who suffered a knock to the shin in the second quarter and took no further part in the game.
Ansell was instrumental in keeping Navarre on top of Maldon as they won the majority of the centre clearances.
“Navarre really got on top in the midfield,” Hannett said.
“They have a couple of good midfielders so that was important for our team. Dale really did a great job standing in for Fowkes and rucking for three quarters.”
Other standouts included Jayden Fowkes, Billy Parry and Josh Driscoll.
Driscoll has played minimal football this season due to an ongoing back injury, but is getting better each week.
“It was great to see the younger players step up,” Hannett said.
Navarre reserves won easily with Ben Crichton again impressive in the forward line while the under 17s had the bye and the under 14s won by 19 points.
While Crichton kicked nine goals, it was Zach Parry who was named best on ground. Jordan Weidemann was best on ground in the juniors as Navarre were forced to work their way back into the contest.
