NYAH-NYAH West United locked away a spot in this year’s finals series with a hard-fought 15-point win over a gallant Koondrook-Barham on Saturday.
It was the Demons ninth win of the season, with the 13.13 (91) to 11.10 (76) result two games clear of sixth placed Tooleybuc-Manangatang with three rounds remaining.
While NNW United will still need to beat one of Balranald or Tyntynder over the final two rounds to guarantee a finals berth, their superior percentage should see them continue their premiership defence into a third consecutive finals series.
In a match where the momentum swung continuously, it was the Demons who were first out of the blocks with five opening quarter goals helping them secure a 29-point lead at quarter time.
It didn’t take long for the Raiders to respond however, with the visitors booting five goals of their own in the second term to reduce the reigning premiers lead to just nine points at the main break.
Koondrook-Barham continued to hit the scoreboard in the second half and when forward Warren Lolicato booted his fifth goal two minutes into the final quarter to give the Raiders a 10-point lead, it looked like an upset was on the cards.
That goal would prove to be the last moment of joy for Koondrook-Barham however, with NNW United finishing with four unanswered goals to overrun the tiring Raiders in the final term.
It was a match marred by poor disposal from both teams, particularly in the first half, with Koondrook-Barham costing themselves three goals through turnovers in the opening quarter alone.
Not only were the Raiders missing targets by foot, but they were also turning the ball over in critical areas coming out of their defensive half which allowed NNW United to find marking targets inside their attacking 50 on the rebound.
The one area where Koondrook-Barham were on top however, was around the stoppages, with ruckman Jacob Barrington dominating all afternoon in a best on ground performance.
Barrington’s influence enabled Nathan O’Toole, Matt Bilton and Jack Thomas to find plenty of the ball around the contest, particularly after quarter time.
It was their ability to get first use around the contest which dragged them back into the match in the second term, along with NNW United’s ill-discipline, with two 50 metre penalties, along with a free kick for a late hit on Lachlan Bates, gifting the Raiders three goals.
Although kicking with the aid of a breeze, it was Koondrook-Barham’s ability to use the ball effectively going forward that enabled Lolicato and Kye Attwell to get dangerous deep in their attacking 50.
It was a trend that continued in the second half, with the Raiders deploying a loose man behind the ball to try a halt NNW United’s advantage kicking with the wind.
The Demons swung defender Joel Campbell forward to even up the numbers mid-way through the term, with Patrick Veszpremi and Alex Birch both looking more dangerous without having to compete against multiple defenders.
With a two-point margin heading into the final quarter it was anyone’s game, with Koondrook-Barham getting the early jump thanks again to the ruck dominance of Barrington.
With the game slipping away, NNW United steadied, with outside runners Dom Gallo, Riley Daniels, Brady Davidson and Nic Threadgold getting their hands on the ball and forcing it forward.
Veszpremi was once again the main target for the Demons, with the key forward finishing four goals in another solid afternoon.
Also among NNW United’s better players was Zack Threadgold, who was also the Demons most consistent four quarter performer with his run and carry helping to generate drive off half back for the home side, along with Nash Richman.
While the Demons finals aspirations appear more secure, the same cannot be said for Koondrook-Barham, who will host Lake Boga this Saturday before a season defining round 17 encounter with Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| NNW United | 5.6 | 7.8 | 9.10 | 13.13 | 91 |
| Koondrook Barham | 1.1 | 6.5 | 9.8 | 11.10 | 76 |
VOTES
3 – Jacob Barrington (Koondrook-Barham)
2 – Zack Threadgold (NNW United)
1 – Warren Lolicato (Koondrook-Barham)
