Seniors

With home ground advantage and another perfect autumn Saturday the senior boys were jumping out of their skins with the possibility of an upset in the making, we got off to a wonderful start. We certainly had more than our share of the footy with a seven shots to three at the first quarter break. Unfortunately five of those shots were behinds and two of those hit the posts. The first break huddle was buzzing with plenty of pat on the backs from both players and spectators. Sadly our second quarter become perhaps our worst for the year with Barooga kicking nine goals to our one point, one can only think they still haven’t forgiven us for raining on their parade the last couple of years. We then managed two more goals for the third quarter but again were kept goaless in the last. Although soundly beaten it was easy to find some great contributions from the purple players. Scotty Miles found himself playing at the other end of the compass and appeared more than comfortable with some nicely timed big man marks and plenty of run out from the back fifty. As I have written in probably every write up this year Danny Bourke and Adam Quarrell are showing no signs of slowing down. Two of our younger guns Billy Hutchison and Mitch Curtis got both their share and a lot of their opponents share of the footy. Billy certainly enjoyed the freedom of playing at half forward after spending his games previous as a main backman.   

Final score: Barooga 23. 7 (145) d. Nathalia 4. 10 (34) 

Goals: M. Elborough 2; B. Ross 1; D. Liddell 1.

Awards: Mug/Past Players: Scott Miles; Mick Hogan Excavations: Daniel Bourke; Middle Hotel: Adam Quarrell; Brereton’s Bakery: Billy Hutchison; Club: Mitch Curtis.

Reserves

It was a tough day at the office against one of the top sides in the competition. Whilst Barooga were far too good, our boys fought it out right to the end. Some pleasing signs were that we kicked 3 goals, not much by most standards but goals have been hard to come by. Darren Hindle was superb and has goal of the year with his 5 bounces and long running goal. Chris Hindle’s tackling and pressure was great to watch. Sean Mortimer and Daniel Nave were solid across half back and Jason Bell was very creative across half forward. Matt Van Luenen celebrated his first goal of the season (with the help of a 50 metre penalty) and Marcus Walsh coming off a best on ground and two goals in the under 17s earlier also helped himself to another goal.

A big thankyou to Wayne Burrows for umpiring after a last minute pull out of our scheduled umpire.

Final score: Barooga 19.11 (125) d. Nathalia 3. 1. (19).

Goals: M. VanLuenen 1; M. Walsh 1; D. Hindle 1.

Awards: Past Players’ Mug: D. Hindle; Blake St Butchery: C. Hindle; Middle Hotel; S. Mortimer; Club awards; D Nave; J Bell.

Under 17’s

We got off to good start in the first half as we were linking up well. However we lost our way in the second half but fought on all day.

Goals: M. Walsh 2; C. Hicks 2; H. Adkins 1.

Awards: Salon 12: M. Walsh; Lowy’s Farm Fencing: B. Nichols; TJ’s Supermarket: C. Hicks; Al’s Café: H. Atkins; Rex James Stockfeed: I. Kolundzija; Tony Ryan Best 1^st Year: A. Armstrong.

Under 14’s

The Under 14’s boys started positively and looked dangerous with an attacking structure of Kodi Hicks and Jared Laffy up forward. Josh Bolger was competing well in the ruck and Hayden Tyrell using his strengths around the packs.

We kept persisting and lifted our talk after half time. Logan Mortimer and Anthony Bourke-Hunt were standing tall in defence and Dylan Bell was very creative on the wing. Connor Terry zipped in for a couple of touches and we went to three quarter time in a positive frame of mind.

Tom Nihill and Alex Hicks continued to work hard around the packs and Todd Stringer rebounded out of the backline. We were able to push the ball forward and get the ball to Kodi Hicks for a goal to finish the game on a high and outscore Barooga in the last quarter.

Goals: K. Hicks 1.

Awards: Al’s Café: T. Nihill; Salon 12 hairdressing: T. Stringer; TJ’s IGA Supermarket: A. Hicks; Rex James Stockfeed: D. Bell; Lowy’s Farm Fencing: A. Bourke-Hunt; Al’s Cafe medal: L. Mortimer, Past Players’: K. Hicks; Nathalia Printers: H. Tyrell; Tony Ryan Best 1^st Year: C. Terry.

Netball

B Grade: We had a bit of slow start but lifted in the second half. Katryna shot some great goals and Nicole Walpole was good in defence. We nearly had them with 30 all but Barooga were able to shoot a goal in the last 20 seconds. Great game girls and good luck for this week. Awards: Nathalia Pizza, Katryna Van Luenen; Nathalia Tyre & Brakes, Jakara Henderson; Brereton’s Bakery, Nicole Walpole.

C Grade: Good first half but once again our fitness let us down. Great defence work by Jo, resulting in lots of turnovers. Good shooting by Caitlin and Amy. Awards: Nathalia Pizza, Jo Terry; Kinnards Retreat, Tanya Bell; Casual Step, Tracey Curtis.

C Reserve: A good first quarter but we them game slip Need to practice passing. Good defending by Bern and Sam. Awards: Kinnards Retreat, Sherelle Smith; Fastway Courier, Bern Brooks, Brereton’s Bakery, Sam Butler.

17/U: Fantastic game girls! We didn’t get to eighty but we had a good go. Rachel played a great game in the middle with Jordan shooting from everywhere. Another hero effort from Gemma. Go Purps!!! Awards: Cameron’s Lawyers, Rachel Quinn; Lowy’s Farm Fencing, Jordan Will-Holland, Al’s Café, Gemma Cusack.

15/U: Great team effort by all the girls. Barooga was just too strong in the end. Meg and Margot offered excellent passes every time and Erin played a good defensive game. Marni used her voice well! Good Work. Awards: Casual Step, Meg Byrnes; Al’s Café, Margot Craig; Lowy’s Farm Fencing, Erin Michel.

13/U: A good game against quality opposition. We still have a bit of work to do with our passing. Great shooting by our goalers. The defenders were strong with the mid court offering a lot of assistance. Awards: Nathalia Supporters, Jemma Bell; Al’s Café, Nakea Maddigan; Lowy’s Farm Fencing, Amy Cusack.

11/U: Great defence all up the court. Didn’t miss many goals either but struggled to throw over the big girls. Great game girls. Thanks to Nicole for you enthusiasm with umpiring. It’s great to see. Awards: Nathalia supporters’, R. Hicks, Lowy’s Farm Fencing, P. Bourke, Canteen Voucher, M. Gemmill.

Ø NFNC to thanks all of the members who offered support in any way with the Deb Ball, either by decorating the hall, cleaning up on Sunday, working in the kitchen, waiting on tables, working behind the bar, helping with security, organizing the rosters or supplying the delicious supper.  Well done on a great team effort! A special thanks to Moira Bourke and Maryse Quarrell for coordinating the delicious and plentiful supper. To the rest of the Deb Ball Committee, namely Trudi Scadden and Pam Limbrick, thanks for all your support and expertise with the finances.     ~ Narelle Ryan