by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V HOPETOUN
Hopetoun ran out easy winners by 53 points against Jeparit Rainbow on Saturday.
The Devils always had control of this match without really dominating. Even with the majority of the play, their poor goal conversion kept the Lakers in with a chance for the first three quarters. Thereafter, Hopetoun kicked the first goal of last quarter and consequently powered away with the game.
Highlights have been rare for the Lakers in the second half of the season, but there was one statistic worth remembering in what was otherwise a disappointing loss against their local rivals.
When young Tom Clugston ran out to play his first senior game for the Lakers, he joined his three brothers Heath, Ashley and Simon as the four Clugston brothers played seniors together for the first time. Another highlight for Tom was kicking a goal in an altogether impressive debut.
Once again Kain Robins was the dominant forward for Hopetoun. He had a tough opponent in Ben Marra and had to work hard for his possessions. Luke Puckle and Scott Heath were solid through the midfield and halfback line while Tom Pridgeon racked up plenty of kicks with some hard running all over the ground. Luke Milroy also played well, but unfortunately ended the game heavily concussed.
This was one of Jeparit Rainbow’s more competitive efforts for a while and they did it without coach Luke Werner who was out injured. It seemed like every time the Lakers went forward, they were able to convert and if their onballers were more dominating, the result may have been different.
Justin Chilver had to play at full forward for a lot of the game, the Clugston brothers and Corey Waldron kept driving the ball forward, but their lack of key forwards was highlighted once again.
In defence Andrew Hiscock was solid at full back for the Lakers, the undersized Ben Marra played at centre half back and was competitive against Robins. Youngsters Adam Schumann and Nathan Cocks did well; Schumann was a good contributor while Cocks, joint Under 16s captain, kicked two goals.
It may have been unconvincing, but it was a much needed win for the Devils. They have plenty of work to do in the lead up to the finals and come up against the might of Beulah next week.
BEULAH V OUYEN UNITED
The drought broke at Beulah for Ouyen United on Saturday. In a stunning victory, the Demons were too good for the Blues winning against them for the first time since 2009.
The victory was set up in the first term. From the very first bounce United players manned up, stuck to their opponent and looked determined not to let the Blues get an early break as they have been doing in recent times. After that initial four goal opening term, Ouyen United was never headed and ended up comfortable 28 point winners.
‘We knew we had to stop Beulah getting a good start,’ said Demon coach Ryan O’Callaghan. ‘This was the most pleasing aspect of the win, plus the fact that we had so many players who could have figured in the best player awards. It was a great team effort and one that began with selection on Thursday night.’
United made some astute decisions. Andrew Jardine went to Peter Lehmann, Adam O’Callaghan was on his usual matchup David King and in somewhat of a surprise, young Joshua Langdon was given the role of following Jarred Combe. Langdon started on the wing, found himself forward at times and even kicked two goals.
The beginning of the third term was when United really put the game beyond doubt jumping the Blues and quickly racing to a six goal lead that stretched out to eight in the final term before Beulah saved face with several goals of their own at the very end.
O’Callaghan did a very good job on King who ended up with four goals, three of which came at the end of the final quarter when the match was well and truly over. One snap from the boundary line was a beauty, vintage King!
Beulah was in trouble early when they lost Steph Saunders before half time. They were already without Kim Hallam, Riley Lehmann and regular centre half forward Adam Carter.
Ouyen United will be concerned that Bradley Vallance went off in the second quarter with a shoulder problem and they were missing big man Brett Knowles.
The Demon midfielders are relishing the presence of Craig Deckert in the ruck. Glenn Joyce was best for United in the day, Peter Caldow has now played three great games in a row and Marc Hahnel is just as good as the other two. The result is that through Deckert, United are now getting the ball out of the centre on a more regular basis.
The body strength of Joyce combined with his uncompromising tackling make him a dangerous midfielder as he kicks long and straight to a target.
With Vallance out, Brenton Jardine was given the centre half forward role and he became a lively target with his pace, height and ability to leap. Other forwards were prominent for Ouyen United and they all scored goals, Sonny Lindsey with six, Dom Leach four and Wayne Grace two.
Rory Shannon started on Lindsey and Sam Martin picked up Vallance. Scott Smith was a terrier all day and never gave up trying.
Ouyen United forwards worked hard to keep the ball in their forward half, Demon defenders scrapped just as hard up the other end to repel the rare forays forward by the Blues. They have the ability to kill a contest and work well as a tight unit.
The monkey is off the Demon’s back. This was confidence building win, it remains to be seen whether they can translate this memorable win into a finals victory, but the signs look good for the Dees. We will have to wait a few weeks for the next chapter in the story.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers proved too good for Walpeup Underbool to win by six goals at Underbool in a good lead in to the finals. Scores were almost even at half time, the Tigers were two goals up at the final break, but ran away with the game in a seven goal to three final term. Mark Duscher’s seven goal haul proved to be the difference between the two sides. It looks like the Roos are out of finals contention as they are two games and percentage behind the Tigers who are now clear in fourth spot.
Walpeup Underbool got off to a good start with the first goal to Kane Munro who was playing out of the goal square. They could have been further ahead, but missed gettable shots and allowed Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers back into the game to level the scores.
Both back lines were on top early and both were running the ball through their respective centrelines. Kane Munro was a focal point up forward for the Roos and he would end up with six goals for the day.
Col Durie was a prominent ball winner for the Tigers. When he went off the ground with what looked like a leg injury, the Roos took advantage of his absence, got the ball to Kane Munro who goaled from tight in the pocket to give the Roos handy start to the second quarter. When Durie ran back on, he wasted no time in setting up a vital goal for the Tigers to get them back in the game.
Luke Nathan was playing well on the ball for the Walpeup Underbool, but disaster struck when Jeremy Rowe came from the ground with a hamstring injury. Rowe is having a shocking run of injuries and would not return for the rest of the game.
Nevertheless, when first Kane Munro and then Matt Brown goaled from long distances out from goal, the Roos went into half time just ahead mainly due to their strong backline lead by Chris Lynch and Travis Latta.
Seas Lake Nandaly Tigers came out firing early in the third term and they continually pushed the ball forward. After this initial pressure, Walpeup Underbool fought back through sheer hard work resulting in a goal to Joab Mead.
Suddenly the game opened up and this seemed to suit Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers who were able score a quick goal through Mark Duescher who snapped truly from a boundary throw in to give the Tigers a handy two goal break leading into the final term.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers got the start they wanted in the final term kicking the first for the quarter only for the Roos to fight back and score one themselves to keep in touch.
Unfortunately that was to be it for a gallant Walpeup Underbool as Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers found themselves four goals clear after another two good goals from Mark Duescher who was by this time on top of Jim Wakefield.
The Roos needed to stand up, but it was too late as the Tigers ran out victors after a top last term. Durie was his usual classy self, with Duescher finishing off his hard work. Luke Martin was a good player in the second half in the backline for the Tigers. Luke Nathan and Kane Munro both had good games for the Roos
Last Modified on 31/07/2011 19:45