by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
In a very good four quarter effort, Jeparit Rainbow comprehensively defeated a disappointing Walpeup Underbool by over 100 points. It was one of the Lakers’ biggest wins for many years and puts them in fourth spot and sets the team up to push for a finals spot.
A dominant mid field was able to feed off Justin Chilvers’ ruck work. Ash Clugston, Heath Clugston, Corey Waldron and Lucas Edelsten ran hard all day and won lots of the ball and in doing so they provided the forward line with lots of opportunities.
The Lakers had prominent goals scorers with Ben Zanker scoring eight, Adam Roll playing up forward this week kicked six and Peter Weir four. They proved to be too talented for the Walpeup Underbool back half even though the Roos had contributors in Jim Wakefield, who has been amongst Walpeup Underbool’s best all year, Nathan Jones-Cubillo and Chris Lynch, another competitive Roo this season.
Small Jeparit Rainbow forward Brian Harrison played his best game so far for the Lakers. His pace, tackling and an ability make quick decisions kept the Walpeup Underbool backs under pressure all day.
It would have pleased the Laker selectors to see youngsters Simon Clugston and Justin Cozens return to the side after missing several weeks due to injury, especially as both were solid contributors to the win.
With a percentage less than the other two sides vying for a place in the final four, Jeparit Rainbow might have to win their final two matches to play finals football. With the form they displayed against Walpeup Underbool, it looks a distinct possibility as they will defeat the Cats next week and then they have the Tigers at home in the final round.
As far as the Roos are concerned, they have little to play for as they lost contact with the top sides several weeks ago, and they cannot finish on the bottom. Even so, this was a dismal display as they seem to have the talent, experience and recent success to put up more of a fight than was evident in this game … and they come up against the rampant Blues next week.
HOPETOUN V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
Hopetoun came away from this match with the much needed four points, a boost to their percentage and return to form for some of their better players. Yet it took them until half way through the third quarter to really get on top of Woomelang Lascelles who once again put in an honest, if not classy performance.
The first half was sluggish football played at a stop-start rate and did not provide much of a spectacle for the spectators. Once Hopetoun broke loose and stamped their authority on the game, it was a much better game to watch.
Hopetoun’s Marcus Burdett was one who dominated all over the ground, but particularly on the forward line where he booted five goals. Clint Burdett and Coleman Schache were two others also instrumental in the Devil‘s big win. Once again the backline for the Devils were solid repelling many Cat attacks. Scott Heath played well, as did Stephen Hallam and Zac Robins.
Woomelang Lascelles coach Daniel Quinn was their best player, Joel and Trent Donnan played well, Clayton Lee was once again a contributor and Dylan Bett and Daniel Rogers tried hard all day.
Next week Hopetoun take on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in what will be a vital game for both clubs. The Devils have a two game break over the Tigers, but with a final game against Ouyen United, a win against Sea Lake Nandaly will be enough to assure them of finals action.
OUYEN UNITED V SEA LAKE NANDALY
In what turned out to be a very one sided affair, the Demons played a very impressive brand of football and dealt with the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers with a ruthless efficiency. Ouyen United would have come away satisfied that they know they are able to cope with anything that the next three sides can come up with.
A four goals to one lead at the end of the opening quarter grew as the game progressed so that by the end, the Dees came away with a 14 goal victory.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers had some good passages of play. Luke Martin in the ruck won the ruck duels, Matt Elliott marked well and kicked a good goal in the first quarter and Mark Roberts was prominent. Unfortunately for the Tigers, at no stage in the game could they match Ouyen United’s quick handball, accurate kicking to position or their ability to run so that team mates would often have more than one option when going forward.
It was an interesting exercise to compare the two forward lines, Nathan Wight and Ryan Dowdy have scored nearly 100 goals between them this season, but this is where Ouyen United really came out on top. Utilising the strength and body work of Sonny Lindsay at full forward, the Dees will try to get him one out against the full back, in this case Taylor Hannig, and kick the ball high because they know Sonny can out-body most full backs in this league. This is not to say Hannig was comprehensively beaten, he was one of Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers better players, he played close and tight and often denied Lindsay the ball. Nevertheless, Lindsay was always a target for the Dees and at the end of the day, he came away with a casual seven goals.
The United forward line boasts other fine players. Wayne Grace and Robert Miller use their pace and will often play wide. Both are good marks, both will feed off to running team mates and both are beautiful kicks for goal. Grace finished with four and Miller two.
Corey Gregg was a welcome addition to this Demon side. Back after a long spell out with a hand injury, he has the ability to draw others into the game whilst providing a target himself and another forward option with his run and well positioned play. His field kicking is controlled and accurate.
The Demon defence was on top, even without the leadership of Kieran O’Shannessy. Adam Moore, Adam O’Callaghan and Jarrod Munro did well, but it was Corey O’Callaghan who was a standout in the Demon backline. Down a little on form lately, O’Callaghan played a great game. He marked well, punched the ball when necessary and often ran off his opponent to kick accurately to a team mate downfield.
Other Demons to do well were Todd Barker, whose great run through the centre at the beginning of the third quarter resulted on a good mark and goal to Lindsay, Glenn Joyce is a class act and Ryan O’Callaghan could be named in the best every week, his game against the Tigers was no exception.
Ouyen United are playing an outstanding brand of football and if they can keep improving going into the finals they are going to put up a strong show against Beulah. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers can still make the four. They didn’t play last week due to the bye, they had several players back from injury for their first game in a while. Their future is in their own hands with games against the Devils and the Lakers in the next two weeks.
Last Modified on 08/08/2010 13:30
