MACORNA v NULLAWIL
Wandella took a significant step toward claiming the prized double chance with a 31-point win over the Tigers at Macorna in the NAIDOC Round marque game at the weekend.
The Bombers leapfrogged their way into second on the ladder following Moulamein’s loss to Quambatook, with the Bombers now two games clear inside the top four and almost guaranteeing themselves a finals berth.
Wandella didn’t have things all their own way however, with Macorna three points clear at the main break.
A seven goal third quarter from the Bombers quickly saw them regain the ascendency however and eventually run away with a 15.5.95 to 9.10.64 victory.
Macorna came out and attacked the game right from the outset, applying intense pressure around the contest and tackling their opposition like a team intent on causing an upset.
The Bombers still won plenty of the footy, but were continuously breaking down going forward.
Macorna had a strong defensive structure, with extra numbers sitting behind the ball, which Wandella were struggling to deal with.
Josh Cameron was influential for the Tigers, as were Charles and Matthew Hinks across half back; while James Flack was finding plenty of the ball in the midfield, along with Declan Hogg and Brodey Farley who were having great games in the red and black.
The Bombers made some structural changes after half time which turned the game on its head, with Wandella pushing their forwards further up the ground in order to create more space deep in attack.
Sam Taylor’s men also started getting on top around the stoppages after the main break and began moving the ball quicker into a more open forward line.
The other big move was that of Michael Condidorio from half back to the wing in the second half.
Condidorio had been playing well, but found another gear after the midfield shift; finding plenty of the footy and using it brilliantly going forward.
Chris Wilson with four goals and Justin Robinson with three were the main beneficiaries of the more open forward line for the Bombers, while at the other end Jaydon Stiles brought up his 50th goal of the season with five majors of his own.
NULLAWIL v MURRABIT
Nullawil’s absolute domination of the Golden Rivers Football Netball League continued at the weekend, with a 151-point hammering of Murrabit.
The Blues went into the game under pressure before the ball was even bounced, with Kyle Keane, Tom Hetherington and Leigh Millard all missing from last week’s team.
It didn’t get any better either, as the Maroon’s piled on six goals to one in the opening quarter, before opening up a 67-point lead at half time.
The home side eventually ran riot over the disjointed Blues, with a 25.23.173 to 3.4.22 win effectively sealing top spot on the ladder with four games still to play.
Nully completely dominated in every facet of the game.
Their midfield, led by Matt Quigley, once again ran riot; while youngsters Zac Kelly and Jordan Humphreys showed their class through the middle with another strong performance.
The Maroons registered a staggering 48 scoring shots for the game, yet kept the Blues to just 7, a staggering stat for any team. Mitch Farmer returned to form with seven goals to be the major goalkicker for the afternoon, while Andrew Casey finished with five and Andrew Oberdorfer returned to the line-up with three majors.
In fact, such was Nully’s dominance, that half the team managed to get their name in the goal column, with the Maroons ending the day with eleven individual goal scorers.
There certainly weren’t many positives for Murrabit to take away, apart from the fact they won’t play Nullawil again in 2021.
Marc O’Neill and Nathan O’Toole worked hard through the middle, while Michael Grant and Brody Green did likewise across half back. Ben Gillingham and Josh Bray were also among the better performers for the Blues, who will now be looking towards next week’s clash against Macorna knowing the worst is now behind them.
QUAMBATOOK v MOULAMEIN
While it’s not yet time to hit the panic button, the hand is certainly wavering over it after Moulamein’s disastrous 86-point loss to fellow finals contenders Quambatook at the weekend.
The Saints led from start to finish in what could well be a season defining game for both teams, with the final scores reading 20.10.130 to 6.8.44.
If the Moulamein faithful were wondering whether their team was good enough to match it with the better sides after last weekend’s capitulation at the hands of Hay, then they may well have received their answer on Saturday.
The Swans looked tired, lethargic and at times completely disinterested as they were unable to stem the unrelenting run and quick ball movement from the home side.
Quamby’s midfield, led by Tobie Cameron, ran riot over the disappointing Swans from the first siren to the last.
Jason Butty booted seven goals for the afternoon to continue his purple patch in front of goals.
The Saints have looked a far better side since Butty’s return from injury, with the full forward not only providing a strong marking target, but taking the oppositions best defender.
This then allows his fellow forwards, such as William Collicoat, a chance to get off the chain as well.
Quamby showed that their best is very, very good at the weekend; and proved that they are more than capable of mixing it with the better teams come finals.
They will only get better too, with Jordan Lampi still to return and add yet another quality midfielder/forward to the mix.
The real story to come out of the game though comes from the other side of the fence.
While Moulamein started the season with five straight victories, it’s all gone pear shaped since their 204-point smashing at the hands of Nullawil.
And it’s with that in mind that next week’s assignment couldn’t possibly come at a worse time; yep you guessed it, the undefeated Maroons’ once again.
ULTIMA v HAY
Hay made it three wins on the trot on Saturday afternoon with a 69-point defeat of Ultima to round out the weekend’s action.
The Lions kept the Roo’s goal less in the first term and led at every change to eventually run out strong 15.12.102 to 4.9.33 winners at Ultima.
As they saying goes, poor kicking is poor football; and the home side have themselves to blame for the final margin, after registering just four goals from 13 scoring shots across the afternoon.
Ultima did however hold their own in general play, with their willingness to compete overshadowed by their finishing skills.
In the end, that was the difference between the two teams, with Hay using the ball both in general play and in front of the sticks better than their opposition.
The Lions at times appeared to have more time and space with the ball in hand; and their ball use going inside attacking fifty was smarter as well.
Not only were the Lions forwards leading to the right spots, but their runners were also more prepared to hit up the short options going forward as well.
Kenneth Jubb played forward, along with coach Lachie Cohen, and both proved hard to stop for the Roo’s.
Jack Cattanach, Sebastian Webb and Jackson Ferguson all continued their good form in defence, while Daniel Gash and Dean Aylett were both dominant in the midfield.
Luke Arandt though trumped them all, earning himself best afield honors.
For Ultima, Josh Dwyer in the ruck continued his recent good form since returning to the center square, while Tom Bull and Mitch Seton-Stewart were again prolific on-ball for the Roo’s.
As good as their performance was at the weekend, the Lions attention would have already turned towards this Saturday’s season defining game against Quambatook; a game that is now a must win if the Lions are to have any hope of playing finals.
