END OF PERFECTION
By Louie Bulzomi
Although Bambill haven’t been themselves this season, it seemed inevitable that they would eventually defeat a top side. And they did, ending Werrimull’s unbeaten run by 43 points, 21.16 (142) to 15.9 (99) at Lake Cullulleraine.
Showing high intensity and getting first to the ball, the Saints were on from the get-go. Even without Luke Hubble, Danny Auricht and Nathan Davis, they held the wasteful Magpies to one goal and led by three themselves thanks mainly to Michael Hickey, Simon Dean and Robbie Morgan.
Despite the best efforts of Adam Thomson and Ben Chatfield, Werrimull couldn’t get closer in the second. Mark Duscher and Ash Bates were well held, while David Hall and Luke Stanbrook did everything from kicking goals to creating crumbing opportunities as Bambill moved further ahead.
A better third term by Werrimull kept them alive with Jay Savage, Dan Smith and Paul Jenkins leading the fightback. However, the deficit was still 31 points.
In the end, the assignment of catch-up footy was too difficult for the Magpies, as the Saints answered everything to win well. Hall and Hickey finished with five apiece as Bambill welcomed back Paul Newton in successful fashion.
At Nangiloc, the Demons were great but not great enough, as they went down to Cardross by 23 points, 12.21 (93) to 10.10 (70).
Up against compounding injuries to key players, Nangiloc were superb in the first term. Scott Golding and Ben Crosbie provided great run from defence and served up a feast for David Keens who kicked five, as they opened up a 30-point break on the turnover-riddled Lions.
Solid defensive pressure (exemplified by Luke Stone and Shaun Cummins) and inaccurate goalkicking (1.7 for Cardross; 2.4 for Nangiloc) summed up the second quarter. The main highlight was Ben Ransome’s long bomb for Cardross’ second goal.
Unfortunately (again) the Demons fell into a lapse as the Lions slammed on 8.6 to 0.2 for a 52-point turnaround in the third. Among the goals were Ben Ransome with four, and Andrew Ferguson and Brady Dalla Santa with two each.
Nangiloc got back within two goals in a tense opening to the final quarter. But Cardross steadied to eventually take the points and enter the top four. Keens and Ben Ransome both kicked seven, while Ben Mansell and Jake Zoch gave plenty.
Euston’s away record continues to get uglier; this time copping a 113-point belting from Gol Gol, 25.15 (165) to 7.10 (52).
There were skill errors aplenty in the opening term with the Hawks sneaking ahead by nine points. Clint Burdett, Dion Collins, Tony Albert and Darren Brown were the cleanest ball movers for the Hawks, while Toby Quirk-Meeks was providing a good forward foil for the Bombers.
After a tight start to the second, Gol Gol rollicked away with 8.4 to 0.5 to sound the alarm bells for Euston. Sonny Lindsey booted five, and Burdett, Collins and Albert continued to dominate.
Cleon Hannah, Josh Healy and Phil Connell fought hard in the third as the Bombers sought redemption. But the Hawks still won the quarter by three points, with Mel Ficarra, Tim Murphy and Corey Walsh standing out.
The last stanza signalled party time for Gol Gol, who piled on 10 goals to one to roll Euston out of the top four. The Hawks had 11 goalkickers (Lindsey the best with 10), while the Bombers only had three (Quirk-Meeks the most with three).
Next week, Cardross play Gol Gol at Henshilwood Oval, while the other sides have a bye.
Last Modified on 21/05/2012 19:21