By Brook Shaune-Bould
BALRANALD kept their finals hopes alive with a 70-point win over Tooleybuc-Manangatang on Saturday.
The game was a scrappy affair, with both teams tackling hard.
The Saints maintained strong pressure throughout the game, particularly in the first and final terms. They went into the quarter-time break two points ahead, with the Roos having failed to kick a goal.
Balranald fought back in the second quarter, kicking seven goals to Tooleybuc’s two. They threatened to run away with the game in the third quarter, again kicking seven goals to two.
The Saints were able to limit the damage in the final term, kicking three goals to Balranald’s five.
Saints coach Dean Helmers said his team was showing positive signs and would keep improving.
“Everyone’s playing their role and starting to step up, but it’s not enough yet,” he said.
Tensions between the traditional rivals were high and scuffles broke out throughout the afternoon.
The Saints had a scare midway thought the first quarter, when key player Alex Powell dislocated a finger. But he received treatment on the sidelines and was able to return to the ground almost immediately.
Powell delivered a best-on-ground performance despite the injury. He kicked five goals and dominated almost every contest he was involved in.
Tom Carland also played well for the Saints, as did Shane Foley, who was returning following a week off with concussion.
Jordan Wilkins was Balranald’s best player, followed closely by Connor Soraggi and Jack Salau.
Benjamin Fuller kicked five goals for Balranald and played a key role in the game. His physical strength and accuracy up front made him a reliable target and his teammates sought him out at every opportunity.
Colin Andrews, Drew Lloyd and Jydon Neagle each kicked three majors for the Roos.
Balranald joint coach Jydon Neagle singled out Seth Connell for praise after the game, highlighting his contribution through the middle of the ground and his commitment to helping his teammates.
Neagle said the team should be confident heading into the back end of the season.
“We dropped off a little bit in that last quarter,” he said.
“But that was the most even performance across the board that we’ve had so far.”
VOTES
3 Votes Alex Powell (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
2 Votes Jordan Wilkins (Balranald)
1 Votes Connor Soraggi (Balranald)
MATCH RESULTS
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG 1.2 3.3 5.8 8.10.58
BALRANALD 0.6 7.8 14.10 19.14.128
GOALS – TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG – Alex Powell 5, James Downing, Shane Foley, Brayden Pitcher 1.
BALRANALD – Ben Fuller 5, Colin Andrews, Drew Lloyd, Jydon Neagle 3, Seth Connell, Aydn Herman, Jake Lockhart, Ryan Middlebrook, Connor Soraggi 1.
BEST – TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG – Tom Carland, Shane Foley, Sam Morton, Alex Powell, John Wardle, Peter Rothacker.
BALRANALD – Connor Soraggi, Jack Salau, Jydon Neagle, Drew Lloyd, Jordan Wilkins, Tom Salau.
