Sport
20 May, 2025
Campbells Creek no match for Redbacks in the end
A venomous first quarter from the Carisbrook Redbacks was enough to put down a valiant Campbells Creek, finishing as 90-point victors.
The result has vaulted the Redbacks into second, setting the stage for a top-of-the-table clash against Harcourt this weekend.
After booting their highest score of the season against Lexton last week, the Redbacks certainly kept their shooting boots on, kicking seven goals from nine scoring shots in the first quarter.
Their goal prowess wasn’t the only thing they replicated from their round five victory, as the Redbacks kept their opponents scoreless in the first term for the second week running to lead by 44 points at quarter time.
Frustrated by their performance so far, Campbells Creek were emboldened coming out of the break, bringing the fight to the visitors out of the middle thanks to the ruckwork of James Martinovic.
However, the Redbacks’ defensive web remained as solid as concrete, allowing just one point in the term while sneaking three goals past the unwavering Magpies defence to further the gap to 63 points at half time.
The third quarter followed in a similar vein to the previous one, with teams forced to earn their points.
Despite some slightly wayward goal-kicking, three goals allowed the Redbacks to extend the lead to 83 points after allowing just two points in the third quarter.
Similar to their loss to Navarre last week, Campbells Creek found some inspiration in the final quarter, grabbing consistent clearances to register five scoring shots in the last term while limiting Carisbrook to two.
Unfortunately for the Magpies, all five shots were minor scores, finishing the game goalless while the Redbacks added two final quarter goals to their 90-point win.
Fresh off collecting a bag of five last week, Tim Rinaldi was as hot as a blowtorch at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve, with everything he touched turning into goals.
Rinaldi finished with seven goals to increase his season tally to 22, good enough for fourth in the competition.
The in-form forward was an easy selection for the Redbacks’ best players, joined by Blake Matthews, Bray Bartlett, Nicholas Wright, Darcy Bond and Lachlan Bursill, who has played well since his promotion from reserves football.
Magpies captain Kyle Gellatly continues to impress, named in his team’s best players for the third week in a row alongside Nicholas O’Brien, Harley Melrose, Billie Dunne, Martinovic and Joel Wootton.