DEMARIA’S Raiders have got themselves back on the winners’ list after their 57 point against Balranald at the Barham Recreation Reserve.
The 19.11 (125) to 11.2 (68) score has kept Koondrook-Barham in the top five, two games clear from Tooleybuc-Manangatang as the tri-coloured side continue their pursuit for finals this season.
Despite missing key midfielders of Benji Neale and Jack Thrum, Koondrook-Barham still managed to stay in control in the midfield and bagged their sixth win of the season.
The contest began and it was the Raiders who started off in quick fashion, with Bilton bagging the first two goal for the contest.
Koondrook-Barham’s vice captain of Atwell took his first goal of the contest shortly afterwards, then Balranald’s top scorer Ben Fuller would take two goals to end the first term.
The Raiders continued their ways throughout the second quarter with Atwell bagging an extra two goals in the second quarter along with Fuller getting an extra two goals for the Roos.
Koondrook-Barham would lead by 17 points by half-time, that would be as close as Balranald would get as the Raiders would go on a rampage in the second half.
Fuller was tagged rather hard in the second half, as he was not able to hit the scoreboard, which helped the Raiders push further away with the game in hand.
Roarke Smith did however continue to forward momentum for the Roos as he bagged three goals in the second half, getting five goals overall in the contest.
But it wasn’t enough unfortunately as the Raiders continued to overrun the Balranald defense, with Atwell and Goble taking three and two goals respectively in the second half.
The game would end and it was all celebrations for Koondrook-Barham as they kept their fifth place spot.
The Raiders’ head coach Marcus Demaria shared his thoughts after the game, stating that the game opened up after half time.
“Yeah the game essentially opened up after half time due to the lack of intensity and pressure of the footy,” Demaria told The Guardian.
“So that allowed for free flowing football movement.”
Demaria was happy how his boys were able to minimise Fuller’s influence as he looked like he was on a mission.
“We managed to minimise Fuller’s influence in the second half by not allowing quality, deeper entries,” Demaria said.
“However, Roarke Smith was the one who bobbed up in the second half to hit the scoreboard.”
There was plenty of praise from Demaria for vice captain Atwell and Goble who both bagged six and four goals by the end of the match.
“Yeah, these boys have been exceptional all season long, and they have made a massive impact for us in the centre forward,” Demaria said.
“I just love the way they are able to go out and do their business.”
Next week for the Raiders, they face up against Cohuna for the first time this season.
It’s going to be a big factor on whether or not Koondrook-Barham can take on big quality finals bound teams like the Kangas.
Demaria shared his thoughts for the contest, saying that if everyone stays together, then who know what could happen.
“It will definitely be a challenge for us and no doubt the Kangas are looking to make amends after their defeat to Woorinen,” Demaria said.
“We feel that if we all get on the same page, apply and maintain some good pressure on their prime movers then anything can happen.”
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Koondrook-Barham | 3.3 | 8.6 | 12.9 | 19.11 | 125 |
| Balranald | 2.1 | 6.1 | 8.2 | 11.2 | 68 |
VOTES
3 – Kye Atwell (Koondrook-Barham)
2 – Patrick Goble (Koondrook-Barham)
1 – Matt Bilton (Koondrook-Barham)
