GOLDEN RIVERS FOOTBAL LEAGUE
ROUND 7 REVIEW
HAY v NULLAWIL
Nullawil continued their unbeaten start to 2021 with 52-point win over a determined Hay at the weekend, but not before the Lions gave them their first real challenge of the season.
After taking just a five-point lead into the main break, the Maroons eventually clicked into gear with a twelve goal to four second half to eventually run out comfortable 19.8.122 to 10.10.70 winners.
In an even start to the game, neither side was really able to gain the ascendency as both teams struggled to penetrate their half forward lines. Hay applied relentless pressure on their opposition, with the usually unflappable Maroons at times sloppy with their disposal.
Hay was without doubt the better team throughout the first half, as they outworked and outplayed Nullawil; and if they only made the most of their opportunities, they would probably have led their more fancied opponents at half time.
Unfortunately for the home side they were unable to maintain the rage in the second half, as the premiership favourites flexed their muscles, kicking with the wind and slamming home six majors in a dominant third quarter.
Matt Quigley was fantastic through the midfield for Nullawil, as was Grant Ford in the second half, while coach Kyle Doran and Rylee Smith continued their good form from the first six weeks of the season after the break.
One of the battles of the day though was between Mitch Farmer and Kenneth Jubb. Farmer was lively all day and posed a constant threat, finishing the afternoon with three goals. However, if not for Jubb’s closing speed and strong contested work he would have undoubtedly kicked a lot more.
Jack Cattanach impressed with his run off half back for the Lions, as did Sebastian Webb, while Jackson Ferguson was at times impassable in defence. Tim Zambon put in another four-quarter effort, as did Matt Giri to once again be among Hay’s better players, while youngsters Fergus Cattanach and Daniel Stewart also impressed in positive signs for the Lions future.
In what can often be a tricky assignment, the Maroons will be well pleased to head home with the four points, while Hay coach Lachie Cohen will no doubt be happy his team put in a solid four quarter performance, despite not earning the four points.
MOULAMEIN v MACORNA
Moulamein returned to the winners list with 61-point win over Macorna at Moulamein on the weekend.
Luke Smailes stepped up in the absence of Andrew Silva to boot a lazy ten goals for the Swans, as the home side put the Tigers to the sword after the main break kicking twelve goals to Macorna’s three.
Not to be outdone, Tigers coach Jaydon Stiles finished the game with seven majors of his own to stamp his claim as the leagues leading goal kicker. The difference in the game however wasn’t in the spearheads of each side, but in the spread of goal scorers, with Moulamein finishing the day with eight individual goal kickers compared to Macorna’s four.
In what was a highly competitive game, with neither side giving an inch after the four-week break, it was the Swans ability to make the most of their opportunities inside their attacking fifty, while having their defenders limit the influence of the Tigers forwards after half time, that in the end was the difference between the two teams.Jacob Thorne and James Shippen were adjudged to be among the home sides better players, as was youngster Will Gibson, who returned to the Swans side after missing their last game against Nullawil. Nathan Buckley was another who continued his good form of 2021, not only being in his team’s bests, but finishing the day with two goals as well.
For Macorna, Jacob McIntosh was sensational all afternoon, while on-baller Jordan Simpson tried his heart out for the yellow and black.
With seven games left, the season is quickly slipping away for Macorna, and if they have any hopes of wanting to see finals action then they need to start converting some of their good performances into wins. The problem they face, next week at least, is that they have to try and correct their season against the undefeated Nullawil. Moulamein on the other hand should go in as red-hot favourites when they travel to Ultima to face the Roo’s.
MURRABIT v WANDELLA
Wandella remain in the hunt for a top two finish after they defeated the Blues at Murrabit by 30-points on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a close and hard fought first half, the Bombers led at every change and eventually broke clear of their dogged opponents after the main break to win 12.5.77 to 7.5.47.
Chris Wilson continued his purple patch in front of goals with three majors for Wandella, while Logan Keighran also finished the day with three of his own. At the other end of the ground, Tom Hetherington booted four goals for the home side as he played virtually a lone hand up forward for the Blues.
Murrabit matched it with Wandella for endeavour across the afternoon, with an even contest around the stoppages and in contested ball. The difference between the two teams instead was the Bombers class and ball use, particularly their ability to spot up targets inside their attacking fifty.
Conversely, the Blues at times made too many skill errors or poor decisions, with their turnovers at times costing them valuable opportunities to stay in the game in the second half.
Nathan O’Toole and Marc O’Neill were fantastic through the middle of the ground for Murrabit as they both tried desperately to keep their team in the match. Michael Grant off half back was another solid contributor for the Blues, as he continues to find his feet at his new club, while Brody Green could also be well pleased with his days work.
For the Bombers, James Flack returned to the side after missing his teams win over Ultima with a best on ground performance in the middle, while Justin Robinson up forward and Alex Kirby, whose run off half back was once again on show, were also among Wandella’s better players.
For both sides though big games await next weekend, as Wandella will lock horns with Quambatook in a top four battle and Murrabit travel to Hay to take on the much-improved Lions.
ULTIMA v QUAMBATOOK
Ultima are still searching for their first win of 2021 after going down at home to Quambatook by 45-points at the weekend.
A goalless opening term from the Saints saw the home side take a sixteen-point lead into the first break; but from there Quamby were never headed as they piled on seven goals with the breeze in the second quarter; with the final scores of 15.13.103 to 8.10.58 a true reflection of where both teams are placed.
While the Roo’s held their own in contested ball and around the stoppages, it was the quality with which the Saints were able to use the footy that really hurt Ultima. It wasn’t the number of times that Quambatook were able to win a clearance, but the quality with which they were able to work the ball forward from them that really hurt the Roo’s.
The Saints were quite impressive with how they ran the lines and moved the ball forward through the likes of Gregor Knight and Tobie Cameron, which only benefitted the likes of Nick Mason and Michael Bradbury, who both finished with four and three goals respectively. Jordan Lampi was another Saint who had a day out in front of the big sticks with three goals, as he returned to the side after missing the last three games with injury.
Kyle Symons and Jack Baker had an interesting four quarter battle opposed to each other, with Baker keeping Symons to just the one goal for the afternoon, but with Symons keeping the usually dangerous Baker from having his usual influence on the game from half back.
Roo’s on-ballers Mitch Seton-Stewart and Tom Bull impressed, as did Josh Dwyer at half back, while Andrew and Brodie Bennett were both among their team’s better players in their first games for 2021 after both missed the start of the season due to injury.
