By David Nagel
Bunyip possessed the super-heroes but Garfield was more than happy to play the villain when the Stars rolled the Bulldogs by 19 points in front of a huge crowd at Bunyip on Saturday.
The inclusion of Isaac Smith, Shane Mumford and Michael Ross was expected to give the Bulldogs the edge; but it also fueled a fire inside Garfield to ruin its arch-rivals party.
It would prove the theme for victory, with the Stars prevailing 6.8(44) to 3.7(25) in slippery – sometimes treacherous – conditions on a cold and rainy afternoon.
“That was the theme for everyone; to try and ruin the party,” said Garfield co-coach Rhys Murphy.
“One of our assistant coaches came up with the theme of picking your favourite villain, and trying to be that villain on the day.
“We were there basically to ruin the day and spoil the party.”
Murphy admits he was anxious heading in, despite Bunyip being the whipping boys of West Gippsland footy this year.
Injuries have taken their toll for the Stars, with Murphy (ACL), Will Cole (Laceration) and Joel Batson (Shoulder reconstruction) all high-quality players that will miss the rest of the season.
But Garfield had some tricks up its sleeve as well, with class acts Luke Tynan and Lincoln Withers making cameo appearances of their own
Tynan, who last played for Garfield in a 2010 final against Cora Lynn, has been a quality VFL player for over a decade, while Withers is considered one the greatest to have played in these parts.
“I was nervous going into it; with a few outs and them bringing in some big names, but having Luke Tynan and Lincoln Withers play for us was huge,” Murphy explained.
“Luke is a very smart player who didn’t make a mistake and led from the front down back, and Lincoln probably turned the game for us in the second quarter; just cracking in the way he does.
“His physical presence was huge, and helped us gain momentum.”
The contest didn’t start well for Garfield, who failed to score in the first quarter while Bunyip kicked three points.
Stoppages dominated proceedings, before things opened up slightly after quarter time.
Smith put his trusty left foot to good use, five minutes into the second, receiving a handball from Mumford and launching the games opener.
And when Tahj Murphy converted a chest mark from close range, the Bulldogs were up and about…16 to nil the score.
Withers then moved into the middle; defying father-time to have a huge impact on the contest.
He spiked the ball forward, before being cleaned up by Mumford, allowing Noah Rogers to kick the Doggies first, before Callum Tyler dribbled one through for a second.
The Stars had ever so slightly regained momentum; trailing by just one point at the major interval.
The Stars maintained that momentum in the third term, with unanswered goals to Will Pickering, Angus Emery, Lachie Spinks and Jonty Bow giving it an unassailable 25-point lead in the conditions.
Smith then once again got on the end of a Mumford handball in the last quarter; making the eventual margin 19 points.
“It was great how the players stood up,” Murphy said.
“Zac Soutar played in the ruck against Mummy, who had 69 hitouts, but Zac used his mobility and tried to work him over around the ground.
“Noah Rogers, a young bloke who came from Drouin, he took it upon himself to man up Isaac Smith.
“He (Smith) still a bit of the footy, but it was great how Noah just accepted that big challenge.
“I thought we had the depth to cover them; but with the town right behind them I was worried heading in.”
Murphy said the ‘Carlton Draft’ game was a memorable one to a part of.
“It was annoying at first, having their stocks bolstered by the blokes they had come in, but it ended up giving so much to what would have been just another game between two great rivals,” he said.
“It was something we could focus on for a few weeks; and it was good for them as well, they haven’t had much to celebrate for a couple of years.
“Putting the rivalry aside; it was good for their footy club…but I’m glad we got the win in the end.
“The atmosphere was grand final like; they had a massive crowd; our Garfield supporters were there making noise; it was great fun to be a part of and an awesome day for football.”
Garfield has now equaled its tally of four wins from 2023, with future games against Korumburra-Bena and Warragul Industrials now right at the top of the hit list.
“We had ambitions of getting six wins; we set our sights on Kooweerup and beat them in most stats, except on the scoreboard, so that one was disappointing,” Murphy explained.
“At the start of the year we would have been happy to have more wins than last season, but we won our first two and the feeling was great pre-season.
“But it’s been tough the last few years; so, if we could get six wins that would be great reward for this group, that we’re starting to see the maturity in.
“Jack Tenace-Greenall, he’s been outstanding this year; Angus Emery, he’s taken the next step as well, and our improvement will come from that young group of guys.
“It’s been a tough few years; but things are looking on the up.”
That’s not bad for a group of villains who spoiled one hell of a party on the weekend.
Garfield host Phillip Island this week while Bunyip remain at home and take on Kilcunda-Bass.
