CLARENCE 10.14 (74)
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STORM 7.18 (60)
WESTERN Storm’s season of woe continued with a 14-point defeat at the hands of Clarence at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.
The Roos led all day after a four-goal-to-one opening quarter and in a game that never reached any great heights held on to defy the Storm 10.14 (74) to 7.18 (60).
Neither side impressed in a scrappy, low-scoring struggle, and it was hard to fathom how far the two combatants have slipped from last year’s preliminary final thriller.
The Storm’s skill level was poor with numerous turnovers by hand and foot, and their defensive pressure and work ethic were not up to scratch.
They fell down in the midfield and struggled to hit the scoreboard going inside 50, obviously missing Bart McCulloch from their forward structure.
Trailing by 22 points at the main break after an insipid first half, the Storm had chances to get back into the contest in the third quarter, but inaccuracy in front of goal plagued both teams with a combined return of 1.11 for the quarter.
In the last quarter, big Mitch Williamson stood up at full-forward, kicking three goals for the Roos to seal the deal, with the Storm left to rue missed chances late in the game.
Storm coach Mitch Hills questioned the desire and effort from some of his players.
‘‘That was our worst performance for the year – we didn’t do the things we wanted to do and allowed them to do what they wanted,’’ Hills said.
‘‘There was a real lack of effort from a few of the guys that was really disappointing. Our effort all year, despite the negative stuff that has happened and losses, has meant that we have been able to fight games out and be close.
‘‘That one hurts a bit more because there was a real lack of effort from a fair few blokes who didn’t seem to care about the result too much.’’
Clarence coach Matthew Drury thought the Roos had chances to put the Storm away during the game but failed to do so.
‘‘It was probably the best performance we’ve put in for a few weeks now,’’ he said.
‘‘We haven’t been tracking too well but it was our ability for everyone to play their role in the side that was pleasing today.’’
Standout players were hard to find on both sides, but Gabriel Chambers, Aiden Grace, Jake Cox and Mitch Hibberd did well for Clarence.
Jay Blackberry finished with three for the Storm, with Zane Brown impressing with two goals in the final quarter.