NORMAL service resumed in the Golden Rivers Football Netball League at the weekend, with Nullawil comfortably accounting for Quambatook by 105 points in a top-of-the-table clash.
In their second-last home game, the Saints were no match for the rampaging Maroons, who were clearly intent on making a statement following their two-point loss to Quambatook in round 8.
Quambatook were never really in the game, going goalless in the first half as Nullawil took complete control right from the opening minutes. The Maroons could well have had the game all sewn up at the first break if not for inaccuracy in front of goal, with the visitors registering an inaccurate 2.9 in the first quarter.
They very quickly settled into their rhythm, however, booting eight unanswered goals in the second term to take a commanding 66-point lead into the main break. While the home side fought back in the third quarter, kicking their only three goals of the match, they were no match for the premiership favourites, who continued to pull away in the second half to record a huge win.
Andrew Casey led the way for Nullawil with four goals, while full-forward Andrew Oberdorfer and Matt Quigley each contributed three and half of Maroons’ team were able to split the big sticks. Nullawil dominated the midfield battle, with Matt Quigley, Zac Kelly, Grant Ford, Daniel Watts and Jordan Humphreys all among the visitors’ batter players.
The Saints were well served by defenders Ash Davis, Nick Birthisel and Jarred Schlitz, along with Tobie Cameron, Michael Hahnel and Jack Baker.
WANDELLA 10.19.79 defeated HAY 9.7.61
WANDELLA claimed their 10th victory of 2022 with an 18-point win over Hay, despite their inaccuracy in front of goals making them earn the four points.
The Bombers should have had the match well and truly sewn up by three-quarter time, but their combined 4.13 in the second and third quarters left the door open for the visitors to come back. Hay trailed by just 20 points at the final break, despite Wandella’s complete dominance.
Hay battled hard over the last 30 minutes, kicking 3.5 in the final term, but couldn’t bridge the gap as the home side finished with a 10.19.79 to 9.7.61 win.
The Bombers’ midfielders were sensational, with Darren Rushton, Mitchell Treacy and Russell Rich starring around the stoppages for the home side, while Mitch Collins, Bradley Delamare and defender Tim Robinson were also among their team’s better players.
For the Lions, Cooper Scott finished with three goals and was good up forward, while James Eddy, Simon Darlow, Kenneth Jubb, Brad Pocock, Daniel Zambon and Dean Aylett could also hold their heads up for the losing side.
ULTIMA 8.5.53 lost to MOULAMEIN 14.12.96
AFTER a 14-year absence, Moulamein will this year play senior finals football after defeating Ultima by 43 points at the weekend.
The Swans guaranteed themselves finals action this season with an eight-goal-to-two first half, giving them a 44-point half-time lead and effectively ending the game as a contest within the first hour.
The home side fought back after the main break and outscored Moulamein by 10 points in the third term, but were no match for the Swans.
Daniel Aarsman and Luke Smailes led the way for Moulamein up forward with three goals each, while Sean O’Reilly led the way for the Roos with three of his own.
Corey Farrell, Daniel Aarsman, Mason Bailey, Ely Miller, William Gibson and Cody Storm were all named among the Swans better players, while Will Nelson, Jack Gervasi, Lachlan Edwards, Quinn Grey, Jayden Kiel and Darcy Farrell were among the best player on the day for Ultima.
MACORNA 8.4.52 lost to MURRABIT 12.12.84
MACORNA’S campaign for a finals spot was cut short at the weekend, with Murrabit recording an upset 32-point victory over the Tigers.
The Blues jumped out of the blocks in a competitive first quarter before putting their foot down with three goals to one in the second quarter, setting up a 21-point half-time lead for the visitors.
The Tigers came out hard after the break with their season seemingly on the line, but Murrabit were equal to the task, matching Macorna both in contested possession and on the outside – before putting their foot down in the final quarter to run away with the win.
Daniel Hovey was the chief destroyer for Murrabit, with an eight-goal haul singlehandedly sinking Macorna’s finals hopes. Marc O’Neill returned to form following his recent injury lay-off to lead the Blues’ midfield, while Dustin Blake, Cameron Hall, Ashton Wood and defender Michael Grant were also solid contributors for Murrabit.
Better players for Macorna were Lachlan Ritchie, Dylan Goulding, Grady Smith, Kieren Shelly and midfielders Shaun Haffendan and Toby Whinfield.
The loss brings Macorna’s hopes to a disappointing end, with the Tigers’ final home-and-away match against Quambatook now a dead rubber, while Murrabit will be hoping to end their season with three straight wins when they travel to Hay to take on the Lions on Saturday.
