by Jim Gordon
Jeparit Rainbow v Ouyen United
Jeparit Rainbow had a resounding win against Ouyen United at Jeparit on Saturday. The 58 point margin was an accurate reflection of the difference between the two sides. United did well to keep up with the Lakers until half way through the third quarter when Jeparit Rainbow finally got completely on top and ran out easy winners.
The Lakers really should have had the game won by half time, but inaccuracy in front of goal kept the Demons within striking distance. Jeparit Rainbow were well disciplined, they have a very experienced lineup and with Troy Moncur, Alex Erlandson and Ben Mole all missing from Ouyen United’s lineup, the Lakers had a height advantage that they were able to exploit. They outmarked the Demons all over the ground for most of the day.
‘I was very pleased with the four quarter effort from the team,’ said Jeparit Rainbow coach Luke Werner after the game. ‘Our players showed great character to rebound so well after last week’s big defeat.’ Werner was one Jeparit Rainbow player to miss the game through injury and Heath Clugston was another.
Jeparit Rainbow’s ascendancy began in the centre where Justin Chilver is in great match winning form. He dominated the ruck with over 30 hit outs and he had about twenty more possessions around the ground. It has been many years since Laker supporters have seen such a dominant display by a ruckman. Chilver’s ruckwork was clean and precise making it easy for his quick running team mates to gather and deliver deep into Jeparit Rainbow’s forward line. Jeparit Rainbow dominated the centre line clearances in the second half.
Skilful and talented newcomers Aaron Beer and Sean Bayzand were in everything for the Lakers and were well backed up by Ben Marra and Lucas Edelsten, but it was Ashley Clugston who really stood out. Clugston was all class and it was his great first quarter that set up Jeparit Rainbow for the rest of the match. The Demons seemed intent on playing wide of their opposition for much of the game and Clugston was one who was left to his own devices playing across half forward and in the midfield. If any of his opponents were in the vicinity, Clugston usually out marked them and his accurate delivery into the full forward line was snapped up by team mates.
Jeparit Rainbow did not have to rely on one player to score their goals as goal kickers bobbed up everywhere in a forward line that was well on top by the end of the day. Joel Schulze and Mick Henderson kicked three goals each, Simon Clugston fought back after a poor game last week to provide a target up forward and kicked two. James Phillip bounced back with four goals, running hard to provide a target after an ordinary game last week. Phillip was a constant threat to the Ouyen defence.
Apart from some spectacular individual work by Demon Mitchell Taylor, the Laker forwards were on top for most of the game, set up by their dominant centre line players. Ryan O’Callaghan and John Jackson tried hard all day to plug the gaps whether up forward or in the backline, but were overcome in the end by sheer weight of numbers.
Peter Caldow was a welcome return for Ouyen United this week. Caldow was lively early and kicked two goals. Bradley Summerhayes continues to impress and Cameron Roberts did well in his first senior game for the Demons providing some run out of the backline. On a day when United regularly failed to hold routine marks, Roberts took a strong overhead contested mark in the third term to temporarily hold up the Lakers when they were in full flight.
Other Demons to play their first senior game were Kyle Monaghan who was lively on a wing and flank and Travis Hogan who came on after half time to do battle with Chilver. He will be all the better for the experience.
This was a very young Ouyen United team that came up against an experienced side, at home, smarting after a disappointing loss the week before. At one stage in the third term it looked like the Demons had regrouped and were on the way back as they were within two goals of Jeparit Rainbow. However, their come back was short lived and from then on the Lakers were on top after quick goals to Ashley Clugston, Beer, Marra and Zac Webb.
There will be no respite for either of these two sides next week, Jeparit Rainbow come up against Hopetoun and Ouyen United face Beulah.
Walpeup Underbool v Woomelang Lascelles
Walpeup Underbool won what was at times a scrappy affair by 51 points against Woomelang Lascelles at Underbool on Saturday.
In cool and sunny conditions with a light breeze from the south west, the Roos played well enough to comfortably hold the Cats at bay despite losing Wade Champion and Simon Brown early in the game. Champion had been dominating up until that point and already had kicked three goals from centre half forward.
The Roos were too strong, they were far too talented and experienced for a gallant, but in the end overwhelmed Woomelang Lascelles who have yet to win a game after three outings this season.
Walpeup Underbool began the game well with Wade Champion dominating the half forward line. In fact, the whole Roo forward line was playing well and their strong pressure and ability to hold the ball in, created numerous scoring chances. Towards the end of the quarter the Cats fought their way back into the game and were only thirteen points down at the first break in what was a gruelling affair, high in intent, low in skill.
The second term began in much the same way and it was early in this term that the Roos lost Champion and Brown to injury and just when it looked like the Cats might be in with a chance, Walpeup Underbool kicked clear through two quick goals to the classy Kane Munro who was leading from the front, marking and turning well, and finishing off with long kicks deep into the Roo forward line or scoring himself. Walpeup Underbool had lifted their intensity to kick clear late in the second term and went in at half time with an unassailable ten goal lead.
The Roos extended their lead after the break, scoring the first three goals in the third term. Joshua Charles was on top at the centre bounces and at boundary throw ins and David Piasente was combining well with Charles in and around the centre. Others to do well for Walpeup Underbool were their more experienced locals in Travis Latta, Matthew Brown and Scott Munro.
Woomelang Lascelles worked hard to stem the flow of goals through the likes of Chris Foott and Jayden Lonergan in defence. They were able to share the scoring with the Roos for the remainder of the game, but the final result was a mere formality even though the Cats won the final term.
Walpeup Underbool struggled with injuries towards the end of the game, but overall they would be happy with the win. The Roos will be tested next week as they travel to Sea Lake whereas the Cats have a chance to lick their wounds as they have a bye.
Last Modified on 29/04/2012 14:16