MININERA and District Football League coach Michael Jennings has described his team's WorkSafe Country Championship clash with Kyabram and District Football League on Saturday as a David versus Goliath battle.
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The MDFL was no match for its opposition, going down by a massive 95 points - 18.15 (123) to 3.10 (28) - at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton.
Jennings said Kyabram played the ultimate team game and the ground conditions perfectly.
"Right from the outset we knew we were up against a high quality team," he said.
"They had eight players that played in the GV (Golden Valley, ranked second) team last year who have come across the Kyabram league this season."
The opening quarter saw the Mininera waste chances in front of goal, kicking five behinds for the term, while Kyabram made the most of its opportunities to take a 22-point buffer into the first change.
While Mininera added just one more behind to its name by halftime, Kyabram produced a dominate second quarter performance to lead by 11 goals.
"I think if we had of kicked those goals our confidence would have lifted, but the guys went back into their shell and were a little bit overwhelmed by the strength of the Kyabram and District League." Jennings said
"It wasn't that the Mininera guys weren't trying, it was just the other side was really good."
It took until the 24th minute of the third quarter for Mininera to finally open its account, with Brenton Mckenry (Penshurst) kicking a much needed goal.
Jennings said the performance of Ararat Eagles' Tom Taurau was a highlight, with the North Ballarat Rebels listed player combining well with defenders Rhys Cronin and Tim McGregor during the third and fourth quarters.
"He rotated through the midfield from the half forward line during the first half and was then moved across half back during the third and fourth terms to try and restrict some of the damage.
Damian Cameron (Tatyoon) played in a number of positions throughout the four quarters and was also recognised by being named in the top six, while the team's captain Justin Eales (Penshurst) received the Victorian Country Football League medal, as voted by the umpires.
"It was a typical performance from Justin, he just racked up possessions and was the general in the middle, dictating to the players around him where to run and what to do," Jennings said.
"He used the ball really well and was to his high standard once again."
Despite the lopsided result, Jennings believes all 22 players took a lot away from the experience of interleague football.
