Monteath boots eight in Bulls’ win

A dominant eight-goal haul from sharpshooter Kym Monteath propelled Mt Barker to a comfort-able 55-point victory over out-of- town rivals Denmark-Walpole at Sounness Park last Saturday.

An accurate Monteath booted half of the Bulls’ goal tally in the percentage-boosting win over the Magpies, leaving the home side only percentage from top spot, behind Royals, heading into a general bye. A five-goal to one third term broke the Magpies’ shackles as the Bulls piled on 10 goals in the second half to win, 16.15 (111) to 8.8 (56).

Monteath convincingly outpointed Ethan Burton to slot three of the Bulls’ four goals in the opening term and had four of his team’s six to half-time and loomed as a constant threat throughout, booting 8.3.

After trailing by 21 points at quarter-time, the Magpies responded with the first two goals of the second quarter through Jordan Rolt and youngster Codey Baxter but were constantly let down by skill errors in their defensive half.

Captain Luke Marley, clever midfielder Ryan Gaerth and youngster Hayden Parker battled hard for the Magpies but the Bulls capitalised on every blunder from the visitors. Parker, the son of 2005 Kleemann medallist Bill Parker, kept namesake Daniel Parker goalless on the last line of defence to be one of the shining lights for the Magpies in his third game.

The loss confined the Magpies to two games adrift of the top four, with a crucial encounter with North Albany to come. The only downer for the Bulls was a hand injury to captain Sam Lehmann, while Kleemann medallist was also not seen after half-time after suffering a blow to the eye in the first quarter.

Despite missing the key midfielders, the Bulls had too many winners across the ground, with wingman Brendan Wynne and veteran on-baller Nic Chidgzey providing endless supply.