No wins as Burra buckles

KEYSBOROUGH became the only winless team in the Casey Cardinia League when it surrendered to fellow strugglers Hampton Park at Rowley Allen Reserve on Saturday.
Hampton Park held its nerve better than the Burra in the dying stages of the round-eight clash, running away to belatedly open its 2009 account with a 37-point victory.
The Burra unveiled new recruit, former Carlton defender Darren Hulme, but lost key forward Tyson King before the game, putting the goal-kicking onus on veteran spearhead Luke McGuinness.
Coach Greg Siwes said that luck had deserted the Burra this season.
“Tyson was set to play but pulled out on Saturday morning with asthma. We just can’t take a trick at the moment,” he said.
McGuinness did not let his team-mates down, booting two early goals – and six for the afternoon – to help his side to an 18-point lead at the first change. Redbacks coach Josh Taylor swung his top defender Ryan Simpson on to McGuinness soon after and the visitors started to work their way back into the game.
There was only four points in it at half-time, but it was the Redbacks who came out and attacked the game better after the long break. Burra big man Shaun Witherden had an enthralling ruck battle with Shane Moffatt, while Hulme, Travis Skidmore and William Gayfer gave their all for the home side.
But when the cracks started to appear, coach Greg Siwes had few options and the Redbacks took full toll, running away in the final term as the Burra stopped to a walk.
The result leaves last season’s grand finalists on the bottom of the ladder, with matches against top five sides Doveton and Berwick in the next two weeks.