In a hard fought contest Barooga seniors posted their most significant victory of the season to date with a 22-point win over one of its main contenders for finals supremacy, Moama, at the Barooga Recreation Reserve. In front of a good crowd that included many members of the 1993 senior premiership team led by Glenn Carroll, the Hawks made a solid start and managed a comfortable lead at half time. The Mowers mounted a predictable comeback in the third stanza but with the likes of Mathew Hyde, Ryan Forsyth, Tim ODwyer and Martin Brooks keeping cool heads, Barooga steadied with help from Sean Harrap ,six goals, to set up a very satisfying win. Keiran Hill and Tom Crapp were solid in defence whilst Brennan Mills and Matt Hendry directed traffic out of the middle on many occasions.
Barooga and Moama reserves have maintained a competitive rivalry over the last few seasons and this continued in great vein on Saturday. The Mowers were quick out of the blocks and posted a 31 point lead just after half time. The Hawks led by Brenton Hunt, Trav Nye, Matt Connors and Jonothan ODwyer clawed their way back into contention. Goal by goal the lead was pegged back and just as the siren was to sound Zeke Bunges shot for goal drifted over the back of the pack with Barooga only 5 points down. Alas, the ball bounced towards the goal mouth only to deviate sideways and hit the main upright for a behind. Seconds later the final siren signalled Barooga twos first defeat in a 32-game winning streak.
Moama was too big, too strong and too talented for the Barooga thirds. The accomplished Mower combination used the ball extremely well under wet and greasy conditions. Baroogas best player was Tom Butler who has shown steady improvement all season. He racked up lots of telling possessions around the stoppages with support from Conor Ryan, Peter Connors and Sam Gough.
Barooga fourths was triumphant in a one-sided match against an under-manned Moama. Jake Russell continues to thrive as one of the teams key play makers. Lachlan Wrights progress took another step against Moama whilst Dion Metzner and Jake Jenkins also continued this theme as bright young prospects with a future on the football field.
The netball courts saw some keenly played matches with the scoreboards in several games providing some close calls. The under 15s could not be separated at final siren time with both Barooga and Moama locked together on 23 goals apiece. Best on court award went to the highly skilled Taylah Hazelman. Barooga B grade and C reserve both lost thrilling contests with only a handful of goals between the two sides. Winning teams for the Hawks included the under 13s, under 11s in the juniors and A and C grade in the seniors. Award winners on the day included: Bec Bryce (A grade); Gemma McGaw (B grade); Kelly Wright and Hannah Kelly (C grade) and Emily Fisher (C reserve) in the senior divisions. Better juniors included: Mikayla Bowden and Helena Sanderson (under 17s, Sonya McCarthy and Hannah Bray (under 13s) and Steffi Vogel (under 11s).