With 13 goals after half-time, Marrar consigned Barellan to a winless first half of the year, held on to top spot on the ladder, and eased the nerves of stand-in coach Cal Gardner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The assistant was handed the reins for a week and had to earn his money, with Marrar kicking just three goals in the first half and fears of an upset not out of the question.
“We just came out pretty flat and they took us on and got around us,” Gardner said.
The half-time address did the trick as the Bombers went on to claim a 93-point win,16.6 (112) to 2.7 (19).
“I just said wipe the slate clean, pretty much, and luckily they responded,” Gardner said. “We started again, our intensity was good and a lot more free-flowing footy.” In the absence of Nick Molkentin, ruckman Matt Parks was Marrar’s best while youngster Adam Whyte impressed in his second game and Tyler Cunningham was good.
Gardner said the Bombers won’t argue with a top-of-the-table standing after the first eight games. “We set a goal for halfway through the season, we’ve achieved that and we've got to set some more goals for the back half,” he said.
Barellan’s day was compounded with Jack Hillman reported for allegedly striking Joel Kelly late in the fourth quarter. Matt Bernasconi, Oliver Delves and Malcolm Fernie were the Two Blues’ best.
