IT is not often that a 124-point win could be described as character building – more often a drubbing by a superior side against inferior and undermanned opposition – yet Leitchville/Gunbower’s massive win at Toolleen against Mount Pleasant on Saturday was a real test of character in more ways than one for Matt Hawken’s men.
Heading into the game, three of the Bombers leading players in Matt Perri, Daniel Couwenberg and Dan Meroli had experienced a tough week with the sudden passing of a good friend and ex-teammate – all could have been non-starters, but sport, and football in particular, can be both release and tribute rolled into one.
All were outstanding as the Bombers blitzed the Blues from the opening bounce. Couwenberg was a dynamo in the middle while Perri’s steely focus on scoring goals never wavered, with the forward maestro opening his account at the seven-minute mark.
Down back, Meroli nullified any Blues forward thrusts with now regulation intercept marking and with Matt Pollock and Joel Donehue dominant in the middle, the Bombers kicked eight goals to one in the first term with, fittingly, Couwenberg joining Perri in kicking the last two goals of the quarter.
Injuries though plagued the Bombers, with Daniel Coates, Blake Dye and Tim Lincoln all suffering game-ending ailments as the Blues compensated for their lack of possessions with increased vigour at the man.
The Perri show continued in the second term with four goals, with the full repertoire on display – leads, snaps, marks. Mount Pleasant had no answer to the onslaught and with Ryan Predergast and Michael Pilcher joining the goalkickers, the Bombers had established a 92-point lead at the main break.
Unfortunately for the Bombers, the injury count also increased with Mitch Bruns and Ayden Walton joining the extensive list of players unable to continue.
The home side came out firing after the break with three goals in five dominant minutes, whilst the Bombers were further disadvantaged as Steve Pretty slowly limped off with a hamstring injury.
Down to 16 players and the momentum with the Blues, incredibly the Bombers’ 74-point lead looked less than insurmountable.
Mount Pleasant’s ball use prior to this rush of goals had been poor and the sudden transformation was an indication that they were going to take full advantage of the visitors’ injury plight.
Leadership was required and in this the Bombers were not found wanting.
Lee Pollock and Prendergast led the way with a telling increase in work rate and right across the ground the likes of Matt Ladson, Jackson McEwen, debutant Shaun Turvey, Logan Prout and Brad Ladson won the ball time and time again.
Goals to Prout, Prendergast and McEwen stalled the home team’s comeback, then Perri added two more and Hoby Bussey ventured forward to claim a rare goal.
That the Bombers had extended their half-time lead to 114 points was simply extraordinary after the Blues’ hot start to the quarter – a fact not lost on their coach, Matt Johnson who wondered aloud whether his players had departed for some fried chicken at some point in the quarter.
Mount Pleasant failure to take advantage of the Bombers’ player shortfall was terrible, but in reality this was one of the finest quarters produced by the Bombers in the last few seasons.
The trend continued in the last term as well.
Mitch Bruns returned to provide an effective yet immobile decoy in the goal square, forcing the home side to tie up a player on guarding him as his teammates continued their rampage upfield.
Perri kicked two more to take his tally to 10 in a classy and courageous performance as the Bombers further dominated the hapless Blues to run out winners by 124 points.
The Bombers host Elmore at Leitchville this weekend and will no doubt have a raft of inclusions to replace this round’s casualties.
