MACORNA set up a mouth-watering encounter with Wandella in a fortnight’s time with their dominant 53-point win over Ultima on Saturday afternoon.
The win puts the Tigers just one win behind the Bombers in fourth position on the ladder, with the two sides now scheduled to clash following next Saturday’s league-wide bye.
The Tigers extended their lead at every change, but it wasn’t until after the half time break that they put their foot down with a nine-goal to four half seeing the home side run away with an 18.14.122 to 11.3.69 victory.
Macorna coach Jaydon Stiles was pleased with his side’s output and their endeavour around the contest in setting up the victory – and keeping their finals hopes alive.
“(Ultima) stuck with us for the first half, but we kept grinding away and pulled away from them in the end – the boys really responded after half-time and put the foot on their throat, which was pleasing to see,” Stiles said.
“Our back line was pretty strong all day, but our midfielders were really good as well and gave us some quality entries into the forward line which helped Troy (Parker) and Josh (Walters) get off the chain.”
Parker and Walters each kicked five goals for the Tigers. Parker, in just his second game for the club, showed an ability to not only play key position forward but rotate through the ruck, adding an extra dimension to the Tigers’ line-up.
Shaun Haffenden was named one of Macrona’s best after a dominant midfield display with hard running and elite ball use that was a highlight for the yellow-and-black supporters – especially in the absence of midfield bull Malcolm Neiwand.
Even without Neiwand, the Tigers’ midfield dominated the game, giving their side first use around the ground, but also delivering the ball into their attacking 50.
Roos coach Kyle Symons was Ultima’s best performer by some margin, battling manfully in the ruck and marking everything that came his way when pushing deep forward.
Jack Delmenico was the Roos’ best performer in the midfield, while Martyn Cooper was solid in defence, especially after being switched to play on Parker after half-time.
NULLAWIL 16.18.114 defeated WANDELLA 6.6.42
AN 11-goal-to-one first half helped set up Nullawil’s ninth win of the season, the Maroons securing a 72-point win over Wandella on Saturday afternoon.
After trailing by 69 points at half-time, the Bombers fought back in the second half, but the damage had been done, with Nully recording a comfortable 16.18.114 to 6.6.42 victory.
Wandella dropped to fourth on the ladder, with the Bombers now just one win and percentage ahead of Macorna, who have won three of their past four games. It also sets up a desperate contest when play resumes after this weekend’s bye, with the Bombers set to host the Tigers to potentially decide who plays in the finals this season.
Nullawil’s midfield proved too strong on the day, with depth and quality unmatched against the Bombers in the first 30 minutes. Zac Kelly, Daniel Watts and Jordan Humphreys were unstoppable at times for the Maroons, while Andrew Casey and Mitch Farmer each contributed four goals and were named, along with Dylan Joyce, among Nullawil’s better players.
Wandella were well served by Dillan Treacy, whose return from an ACL injury continues to amaze, with the classy midfielder recording his third best-on-ground performance in a row since returning to the Bombers’ line-up in round 8.
Russell Rich, Mitch Collins and Darren Rushton all worked hard through the middle for the visitors in the second half. Tim Robinson in defence could also be happy with his afternoon’s work under pressure especially in the first half.
HAY 5.8.38 lost to QUAMBATOOK 21.14.140
QUAMBATOOK maintained their grip on the top two with a commanding 102-point victory over an undermanned Hay at the weekend.
The Saints led from start to finish, with a nine-goal first half helping set up the win. The Lions had to wait until the third quarter, when the match was well in Quamby’s keeping, to register their first major.
Ash Murray continued his good form since returning from injury with five goals, while William Collicoat (four), Jordan Lampi and Brady Tillig (three) were among a spread of nine individual goalkickers for the Saints.
Club legend Jack Baker pulled on the red, white and black jumper for the first time this season in a welcome sight for Quambatook supporters and showed that he will be a welcome addition to his side.
Fergus Cattanach returned to the Lions for his first game since round 2 and had an immediate impact, booting two goals. He was one of his team’s better players, along with James Eddy, Dean Aylett, Liam Whitbourne, Jack Miller and the reliable Kenneth Jubb.
For the Saints, the consistent pair of Ricky Wild and Nick Birthisel were again dominant through the middle and in defence respectively. Dylan Pascoe, Jonty Taylor, James Blackwell and Matthew George were also named among the Saints’ better players.
MOULAMEIN 12.8.80 defeated MURRABIT 9.11.65
MOULAMEIN were forced to hold on for a hard-fought 15-point win over a gallant Murrabit outfit who looks intent on making a statement in the second half of the season.
Playing in front of a parochial home crowd, the Swans jumped out of the blocks with a five-goal-to-one opening quarter. This proved to be the difference between the sides, despite the Blues pressing hard over the last 30 minutes of the match.
It was a performance that franked Murrabit’s form from seven days before, showing supporters that with a full side on the park, their best was good enough to compete with the better Golden Rivers teams.
The Swans will be pleased to have secured the four points and continue their push towards this year’s finals series. Heath Moloney’s men now sit two games plus percentage inside the top four with just six games remaining.
Beau Duggan-Hulands, with three majors, continued his strong form up forward in the absence of Josh Flight and Andrew Silva.
At the other end of the ground, Nathan Henry and Tom Hetherington also contributed three each. The difference between the two teams was the Swans’ midfielders’ ability to hit the scoreboard and contribute up forward, with Luke Shannon, Morgan Turvey and Nathan Buckley kicking two goals each and being named among Moulamein’s better players.
Another key contributor for the home side was Anthony Daw. The key position player was named among Moulamein’s best players after booting two goals in his debut in red and white.
Defender Michael Grant was Murrabit’s best, along with running half back-midfielder Brody Green, while reliable midfielders Marc O’Neill, Nathan O’Toole and veteran Nathan Henry were also strong performers.
