NULLAWIL kept their top-two hopes alive and ended Wycheproof-Narraport’s finals dream with a 42-point win over the Demons at the weekend.
The Maroons (third) and Donald (fourth) remain one win behind Birchip-Watchem and now appear destined to play finals, with the Demons needing to win both of their remining matches, including this Saturday’s clash against unbeaten premiership favourites Sea Lake Nandaly.
With their finals spot all but secure, Nullawil coach Brett Barker was looking forward to this Saturday’s encounter with Donald, following their 12-point loss to the Royal Blues in round 7.
“If we want to finish second, we need to win every game,” Barker said.
“(Donald) knocked us off at home last time, so we know we’ll need to be at our best to beat them.
“We’re still chasing second spot, but it was good to at least lock away a finals berth.”
Nullawil were quick out of the blocks against the Demons, with 10 scoring shots to two in the opening quarter helping them open up 23-point lead by the first break.
While Wycheproof-Narraport tried to work their way back into the game after quarter time, they were unable to reduce the margin, with Nullawil kicking clear to win 13.12 (90) to 7.6 (48).
“We’ve had a few issues with our starts over the last three or four games and we made a big point to the playing group of making sure we got off to a good start on the weekend,” Barker said.
“The boys were all keen right from the first bounce and it certainly showed, the pressure immediately put onto (Wycheproof-Narraport) was good.
“Our back line was good and they defended well, but we also rebounded well from there too.
“We made a big point of switching the play and transitioning the ball out of defence quickly and putting their defenders on the back foot instead.
“Pat Kelly was, in my opinion, our best player, along with Austy Hogan, who played a role down there, and Ben Brennan, who returned and played a great game as well.”
Midfielder-forward Dean Smith led the way in front of goals for the Maroons, finishing the afternoon with a game-high five majors, while Dane McLennan, Rick Allen, Kristian McNicol and Lachlan Van Schaik were among the Demons’ better players.
It sets up the game against Donald this Saturday, after the Royal Blues had a comfortable 103-point win over St Arnaud.
Last year’s grand finalists were never troubled and restricted the Saints to one goal in each of the first and second halves on their way to an 18.13 (121) to 2.6 (18) victory.
Sam Dunstan was the star for Donald up forward, kicking an equal season-high nine goals for the game. Veteran Ross Young, Hayden Geddes, James Wall and Jesse Wallin were among the Royal Blues’ better players.
Birchip-Watchem were made to earn their 10th win of the season, by 26 points over Wedderburn at George Cartwright Oval.
The Bulls dominated the opening term, piling on five unanswered goals while keeping the Redbacks scoreless.
Wedderburn’s slow start proved to be their undoingd, with the Redbacks finding enough of the ball to stay with Birchip-Watchem, but not enough to trouble them, as the Bulls ran out 15.10 (100) to 11.8 (74) winners.
Ben Edwards continued his good form, kicking seven goals for Birchip-Watchem to take his season tally to 58, while the Rippon brothers, Marshall and Nick, were also dominant out of the centre square against the Redbacks’ midfield.
The final game of round 15 went according to the script, with unbeaten Sea Lake Nandaly easily accounting for Charlton by 85 points.
Joint coach Billy McInnes led the way for the Tigers with five goals in the 21.14 (140) to 8.7 (55) victory, with Thomas Cox, Tyson McKenzie and Callan Noonan also among Sea Lake Nandaly’s better players.
