HAY lost to MURRABIT
After leading by almost five goals mid-way through the third term, Murrabit withstood a fast-finishing Hay to record a controversial one-point victory.
The controversy came after the final siren, with the scoreboard originally showing the game ended in a draw – only for the goal umpires to confirm minutes later that the actually result was indeed a win to the Blues.
The win was Murrabit’s first of the season, with coach Leigh Millard describing the odd feeling that followed the result.
“It was probably one of the weirdest games of footy I’ve been involved in – firstly, with that weird feeling when the final siren went and with it came the realisation that it’s a draw and that all the energy and effort that both teams put into the game for four quarters had ended that way,” Millard said.
“They blew the siren again and updated the scores and all of a sudden we were in front – it was just a really weird feeling, it’s still hard to comprehend that something like that could actually happen.”
While the Lions finished the game full of running, earlier on it was Murrabit who had the ascendency with their class and experience through the midfield seeing them control the contest.
“We probably set the game up in the second quarter and early in the third – I think we were the better side through that period with regard to our ball movement and by out running them on transition and then defend going back the other way as well,” Millard said.
“We had a shot to put ourselves five goals up mid-way through the third and missed it, but it felt that we were in control to that point.
“Looking back, the difference was probably our midfield – we were able to get our hands on the ball in the middle and win a few pivotal clearances at crucial moments in the end.”
Marc O’Neill and Nathan O’Toole were at their consistent best in the middle, while Tom Hetherington went forward this week and bagged a game high four goals. Ben Gillingham played a pivotal role in the ruck – particularly in the last quarter – and was also among Murrabit’s better players.
For the home side, Fergus Cattanach was brilliant across half back, while Nathan Wilson, Hugh Crighton and Brad Pocock were also solid contributors.
MACORNA 10.11.71 lost to QUAMBATOOK 20.15.135
Quambatook secured their first points of 2022 with a commanding 64-point win over Macorna on Saturday.
The Saints kicked the first four goals of the game and effectively sealed the game before half time with an 11 goal to three half, before running away with a comfortable win.
It was an improved performance on round one, and while they are still a work in progress, there were plenty of positive signs to build on following the 20.15.135 to 10.11.71 victory.
The win was set up by Qumaby’s run through the midfield, and they cashed in up front with 12 individual goal scorers. Tristan Ramadge had one of his best games for the Saints, while Matt George was another solid contributor.
Jaydon Stiles kicked four majors but didn’t have his usual influence on the game as he was well held by Jarred Schlitz, while Nick Birthisel was a strong contributor across half back in his first game for the season.
For the Tigers, Josh Cameron was again good in defence, while Dylan Wright, Blake Forster, Jacob McIntosh and ruckman Nick Leach were among their better players, along with hard-nosed midfielder Malcolm Neiwand.
NULLAWIL 22.15.147 defeated ULTIMA 2.2.14
Nullawil continued on their merry way with a dominant 134-point victory over an undermanned Ultima at the weekend in the Golden Rivers Anzac Round feature match.
The Maroons did as was expected, extending their lead at every change to record a 22.15.147 to 2.2.14 victory, with Nully ruckman Dean Putt awarded the Anzac Medal as player of the match.
Kyle Symons was forced to play in defence as a result of Martyn Cooper and Daniel Fox’s absence through injury, with the Roos coach manning Andrew Oberdorfer (six goals) and experienced defender Jayden Kiel standing the dangerous Mitch Farmer (five goals). Considering the constant supply and makeshift back line, both players performed remarkably well to restrict the Nullawil pair to just eleven goals between them.
With Symons playing in defence – and Ryan Devereux also unavailable – it left the visitors with very little firepower up forward, which showed having managed just two goals of their own for the day.
Jordan Humphreys and Matt Quigley were once again dominant through the midfield for Nullawil, while Mitch Seton-Stewart was named Ultima’s best player on the day, alongside intercept defender Jamie Nicholas.
MOULAMEIN 16.7.103 defeated WANDELLA 11.8.74
Moulamein joined Nullawil as the only undefeated team after the first two rounds with a 29-point win over Wandella on the weekend.
The Swans led at every change to record a 16.7.103 to 11.8.74 victory, after blowing the game open with a six goal to two third quarter.
Josh Flight continued on his good form for Moulamein, following up his 10-goal haul against Ultima with another five-goal performance to be the Swans leading goal kicker for the afternoon.
Wandella were far from disgraced, with the young Bombers only lacking polish at crucial times. One player who wasn’t affected was Sam Sperling, who finished with a game high six goals and best afield honours for his team.
Beau Duggan-Hulands, Jack Jones, William Gibson and Ely Miller we’re all among Moulamein’s better players, as were midfielders Morgan Turvey and Nathan Buckley.
For Wandella, defender Tim Robinson was named in their better players, along with Kane Timmins, Adam McKenzie, Russell Rich and Jack Pay.
