MURRABIT 5.10 (40) lost to WANDELLA 14.15 (99)
Wandella moved a game clear in the top four with a convincing 59-point win over Murrabit on Saturday.
The Bombers were slow out of the blocks, trailing the Blues at the first break – but quickly clicked into gear, kicking 12 of the remaining 14 goals to run out comfortable 14.15 (99) to 5.10 (40) winners.
Wandella coach Logan Keighran was pleased with his side’s performance in the face of what has been a challenging few weeks for the red and black – with a number of players missing from their line-up.
“We were extremely happy with the result, particularly with how we went about it from quarter time onwards which was probably as complete a performance as we’ve played this year,” Keighran said.
“When you factor in the personnel that we’re missing at the moment, along with losing another four players before Saturday – for us to keep putting the wins on the board under the circumstances is a big positive and will no doubt hold us in good stead for later in the year.”
The Bombers lost Michael Rowe, Brad Delamare and Adam McKenzie from the team that defeated Macorna by 21-points a week ago – along with Jayden Crellin, who injured his quad in the same game.
Keighran himself returned to the Wandella line-up and had an immediate impact against the Blues, booting a game high six goals.
“The way the boys moved the ball out of defence and through the midfield really made life easier for us forwards – we were certainly getting the ball in quicker to one on ones and in to space which helped us up front,” Keighran said.
“Our backline was superb on the day – Tim Robinson and Ryan Lancaster were as reliable as always and Shannon Burton was exceptional as well.
“Alex Kirby was really good too and has hit a real purple patch of form again across half back – that’s where he plays his best footy so we’re just going to leave him there now.”
Kane Timmins and Russell Rich continued their strong seasons in the midfield – while Jack Pay, who started in defence before being shifted forward to nullify Murrabit veteran Simon Morton, was also a solid contributor in the Bombers win.
Marc O’Neill, Darcy Grant and Nathan O’Toole tried hard to keep the Blues in the contest through the midfield – while Tom Copland and Nathan Morrow in defence and Tom Hetherington up forward were among Murrabit’s better players.
NULLAWIL 24.15 (159) defeated HAY 5.8 (38)
Nullawil continued on their winning way with a comprehensive 121-point win over Hay.
The Maroons dominated from the opening bounce, with a seven goal to one first quarter effectively sealing the result before quarter time. To the Lions credit however, they fought back in the second, keeping the home side to just 3.3, while also registering two goals of their own – keeping Nully to their second lowest quarter for the season.
Hay’s joy didn’t last long, however, with Nullawil returning to their devastating best in the second half, kicking 14 goals to two.
It mattered little that Nully were missing both Mitch Farmer and Andrew Oberdorfer from their forward line – with their bevy of destructive midfielders taking the reins up forward in their absence. Daniel Watts led the way with a game high five goals – while Andrew Casey and Matt Quigley continued their recent good form, kicking four goals each.
Both Casey and Watts were among Nullawil’s better players, along with Josh Bamford, Kyle Doran, Zac Kelly and the in-form Jordan Humphreys. For the Lions, Hugh Crighton followed up his best on ground performance against Ultima last week with another impressive midfield display, along with Tim Zambon – while Nathan Wilson, Brad Pocock, Angus Gardiner and Cooper Scott also worked hard.
MOULAMEIN 11.9 (75) defeated MACORNA 8.13 (61)
Moulamein returned to the winner’s list with a hard-fought 14-point victory at home over Macorna.
With little separating the teams in the first half – it was the Swans who came out and attacked the game after the main break with a three goal to one third term helping set up the victory.
It was a tale of missed opportunites for the Tigers, however, with the visitors having more scoring shots than Moulamein but failing to capitalise on their opportunites in front of goal – costing them a much-needed win.
While the Swans possess one of the Golden Rivers most potent forward lines, it was their ability to spread the load that got them the win over Macorna – with nine individual goal scorers kicking their 11 majors for the day.
Youngster Zach Prentice had a breakout performance for Moulamein and was rewarded with best on ground honours – while Daniel Aarsman, Luke Smailes and midfielders Luke Shannon and Ely Miller were also among the Swans better players.
Macorna were well served by midfield bull Malcolm Neiwand, who continued to show why he arrived with such huge wraps on him this season – while Jacob Mcintosh, Kansas Varker, Lachie Ritchie, Fergus Bear and Joshua Walters also played well.
ULTIMA 7.5 (47) lost to QUAMBATOOK 12.18 (90)
Despite a lacklustre third quarter, Quambatook still managed to secure a 33-point win over a dogged Ultima at the weekend – further tightening their grip on second spot.
It was a much better performance from the home side than what they’ve showed in recent weeks however, with the winless Roos taking the game up to the Saints – with the game still very much on the line at the final break with Quamby holding just a 16-point lead.
That was as close as Ultima would get however, as the Saints put the foot down over the last 30 minutes with an unanswered four goal final term.
Ryan Devereux kept his team in the game with four goals for the day, while Angus Hinton, Lachie Edwards and Darcy Farrell competed hard, along with key position players Jamie Nicholas and Riley Haberman.
Quambatook on the other hand were well served in the midfield by Ricky Wild, Gregor Knight and ruckman Michael Bradbury, while Nick Birthisel continued his strong form with another big game off half back for the Saints.
