The Rock-Yerong Creek celebrated Bryan Ball’s 250th in fine style on Saturday, with a 99-point win against Charles Sturt University keeping them within sight, if not probability, of a second chance in the finals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
If the fourth-placed Pies beat Barellan in their final home-and-away game next Saturday, they’ll then be hoping for CSU to cause a boilover against North Wagga (third) in the last round.
But they didn’t do the Bushpigs’ confidence much good at Victoria Park on Saturday.
TRYC started well to lead by four goals at quarter-time, stretched it out to 50 points at half-time and then finished off just as strongly for a 21.16 (142) to 7.1 (43) victory.
Forward Dale Hugo kicked six goals in the win, taking him to 22 in 10 games this year.
But it was Ball’s big day out, in the Pies’ last home game of the season.
“It was a massive effort – he played really well, Bally,” TRYC coach Tom Yates said.
“He kicked three goals and had a good day so it was good for the boys to get the win for him.”
A fortnight out from finals, Todd Hannam played his first game since breaking a finger against CSU last time, and came through unscathed.
“Toddy was good for us – he straightens us up a lot, he’s got a big motor and his work-rate’s second to none,” Yates said.
Luke Hillier and Mitch Leaver also played well.
Vas Seker was CSU’s best – kicking four of their seven goals to offer a reminder of what they’ve missed for much of the year – along with captain Tennyson Vance and Oliver Mangan.