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<\/a>Newington beat our boys last year by 140 points. Our boys were primed and believed they could compete with them. The game began fiercely, with Newington attacking early and securing two inside 50 marks, but they failed to convert their chances, managing only one goal in the first quarter and ending with just 12 points. Shore responded quickly, with Mitch D<\/strong> scoring the first goal of the season after some quick offensive entries. Captain Sam Walton<\/strong> and defenders Hamish Gilligan<\/strong> and Mack Fortune<\/strong> made crucial efforts, repelling attacks and attempting to rebound. By the third quarter, Shore’s midfielders\u2014Monte Cairns<\/strong>, Daniel Harvey<\/strong>, and Jamie Gandhi<\/strong>\u2014stepped up, creating more attacking opportunities. Mitch D added two more goals, while Matt Melville <\/strong>scored an exceptional snap, drawing Shore level at three-quarter time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weather turned as the sky opened up, transforming the game into wet weather football. Shore had several chances to take the lead early in the final quarter but couldn\u2019t capitalise, and Newington seized the opportunity with slicker play to break the tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, the Second XVIII faced Redlands in a challenging fixture. The game started with Redlands asserting dominance through relentless pressure and physicality, controlling their forward line with precision. Though the final result was a loss, the effort and attitude of Shore\u2019s team were commendable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another encounter, Shore’s Intermediate A team faced Barker, with heavy dew making the conditions resemble a fantasy battleground. Barker started strongly, leveraging their size and strength to dominate early. Shore gained ground as the quarter progressed, but execution remained a challenge. In the second quarter, Shore\u2019s defence stood resolute, repelling repeat entries. A highlight was a cohesive team move culminating in Shore\u2019s sole goal of the match just before halftime. Despite the tough loss, there were lessons to be learned and moments of resilience on display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The team\u2019s weekend concluded with a match against Waverley, a consistently strong opponent. The Junior A’s played admirably, maintaining an even contest through the first quarter with Waverley’s margin just 11 points. However, Waverley\u2019s superior skill and strength asserted themselves in the second quarter, pulling ahead. Despite the narrow margin and spirited effort, Shore was unable to match Waverley’s class, ending the game with a significant defeat. Nonetheless, the performance was a good effort against a challenging opposition, highlighting areas for growth and the team\u2019s promising resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a>