HAY v MURRABIT
Hay kept their hopes of a top four finish alive with a nail baiting three-point win over Murrabit up at Hay on the weekend.
After trailing the Blues by sixteen points at the final change, the home side turned it on with a four-goal final quarter to come from behind and record a 10.12.72 to 11.3.69 win, with the home side only hitting the front in the dying minutes.
Neither side gave an inch for the full four quarters, as both teams broke even in clearances and contested footy.
Both half back lines worked hard at providing run for their respective teams, with Jack Cattanach for Hay and Brody Green for Murrabit both important players on the day.
Inaccuracy in front of goal threatened to derail the home sides chances though, with the Lions registering eight more scoring shots than the Blues, despite the final margin being just three points.
Angus McSweyn finished with four majors for the Lions, while Hugh Crighton was the home side’s other major goal scorer with three.
Nathan Henry returned for Murrabit after recovering from his calf injury, with the Blues swingman kicking four goals playing down forward alongside Tom Hetherington.
The two key forwards provided a pretty potent combination at times as they both played out of the goal square; and if they only had a bit more consistent supply the result may well have been different.
In the end though it was the Lions who prevailed to keep their finals hopes alive and their confidence high ahead of next week’s game at Moulamein.
For Murrabit, they can now turn their attention towards season 2022, starting from next weekend when they host Quambatook.
NULLAWIL v MACORNA
Nullawil extended their unbeaten winning streak to eight with a 98-point win at home over Macorna on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a slow start, the Maroons quickly clicked into gear with an eight-goal second quarter to eventually run away with another strong win; the final scores being 23.17.155 to 7.15.57.
The home side didn’t have it all their own way however as Macorna jumped out of the blocks.
The Tigers were ferocious in their attack on the both the footy and their opposition and dominated the undefeated Maroons for the first thirty minutes.
The one area of the game they let themselves down though was the most important; on the scoreboard.
Macorna failed to take full advantage of having the wind at their back and their finishing in front of goal was disappointing to say the least.
The Tigers kicked two goals and nine behinds in the opening term and if they had of only kicked straighter, their lead at the first break would have been far greater than just one solitary point.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, normal service resumed in the second quarter, as Nully quickly got on top through the midfield.
Matt Quigley was simply unstoppable for the Maroons out of the centre, as was Grant Ford. Not only did Quigley dominate out of the middle, but he was also influential up forward for Nully, finishing the day with five goals.
Andrew Casey and Rylee Smith also spent most of the day up forward for the Maroons, with both of them contributing five goals each as well.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect to come out of the game for the premiership favorites would be have been their ability to boot 23 goals for the game despite their two leading goal scorers in Mitch Farmer and Andrew Oberdorfer being well held and contributing just two goals between them.
Macorna continued to play the game out and despite the margin could still be pleased with their effort, particularly Josh Stiles, Jacob McIntosh, Jordan Hutton and Shaun Haffenden, who were among the better players for Macorna.
QUAMBATOOK v WANDELLA
Wandella guaranteed themselves of a finals berth in 2021 with six-point win over a gallant Quambatook at Quamby on the weekend.
Despite leading for much of the first half, the Bombers had to come from behind in the last quarter and eventually held out the determined Saints to record a 12.4.74 to 10.10.70 victory.
With the scores all tied up at three quarter time, it was the Saints who looked the winners as they kicked the first two goals to start the final term.
But the visitors had other ideas, as Justin Robinson, Will Callow and Darren Rushton all hit the scoreboard to get Wandella over the line.
In what was always expected to be a tight contest between two very even teams, it was the Bombers who started the game the better and had it played on their terms.
Wandella were on top throughout the first half through the middle of the ground and around the stoppages, with Mitch Treacy and Darren Rushton both influential contributors for their team.
Quamby refused to go quietly however, and Tobie Cameron, Rikky Wild and Jordan Lampi started to get their hands on the ball in the second half to help the Saints draw level by the final change.
Jason Butty returned to the Saints line-up with a handy four goals, but played virtually a lone hand up forward, while Jarred Schlitz and Ashley Davis were solid contributors across all four quarters for Quambatook.
For the Bombers, Darren Rushton, Brodey Farley, Justin Robinson and coach Sam Taylor were all among their better players.
It wasn’t all good news for the Bombers however, with Logan Keighran suffering a fractured cheekbone and as a result looks set for an extended period on the sidelines.
Hopefully with a bit of luck however, Keighran should return before Wandella’s now inevitable finals berth.
ULTIMA v MOULAMEIN
Moulamein maintained their stranglehold on second spot with a 20-point victory over a desperate Ultima to round out the weekend in the Golden Rivers Football Netball League.
The Swans firepower up forward and their spread of goalkickers was ultimately the difference between the two teams, along with their accuracy in front of goal; with Moulamein eventually holding on to win 14.11.95 to 10.15.75.
Ultima will rue their missed opportunities, especially in the final quarter, with the Roo’s having six scoring shots for the term, but only managing to kick one goal and five behinds.
The other moment of the match the home side will look back on with regret is the final ten minutes leading up to half time.
Moulamein piled on four unanswered goals in what was a momentary lapse in concentration from the Roo’s, which upon reflection proved to be decisive in the final wash up.
Brady Fordham was a major contributor out of the centre for Moulamein, not only across the four quarters but also during that ten-minute burst when his team took control of the match.
Fordham’s ability to not only win the ball on the inside but then accelerate out of the pack and transition the ball to the outside enabled his forwards time and space to present.
Michael Morson was the main beneficiary, as the experienced forward finished with three goals and best on ground honours.
Andrew Silva was another big contributor for Moulamein up forward with five goals, while the usually dangerous Daniel Aarsman was well held by Roo’s defender Brad Gleeson Josh Dwyer and Heath Moloney had a great tussle in the ruck throughout the day, with Moloney just taking the points by the end of the four quarters.
Mitch Seton-Stewart and Tom Bull both continue to impress through the midfield for Ultima, but at times need more support from those around them.
The other costly area that the Roo’s need to address is their ability to cough up the ball with simple skill errors.
While Moulamein will no doubt be happy to have gone to Ultima and returned with the four points, the Swans still have plenty of work to do if they want to be a genuine contender.
The Roo’s on the other hand will know that if they can put in a performance like the one on the weekend on a more consistent basis, then their first win of the season surely can’t be too far away.
