by Jim Gordon
OUYEN UNITED V JEPARIT RAINBOW
This encounter between last year’s second and third sides ran pretty much to script. Ouyen United won, but were only able to shake off the determined Lakers in the final term. United were better able to utilise the breeze in the second and final terms, they were able to rotate more players through the midfield sharing the load and had two key forwards who scored ten goals between them. The Demons at home looked like they were going to win for most of the day, as Jeparit Rainbow just weren’t able to kick enough goals when they had the scoring end.
Ouyen’s experienced players proved to be too strong for the youthful Jeparit Rainbow. It was a very tight Ouyen United defence lead by Adam Moore at full back and with both Ouyen key forwards in Bradley Vallance (four goals) and Sonny Lindsey (six goals) coming out on top, the Demons had too much firepower. Lindsey didn’t have it all his own way against Daniel Greigg, but his six goals and telling second half put him ahead in the contest.
It was a great battle for midfield honours and this was where the Lakers did come out ahead. Justin Chilver may have just had the better of a gallant Todd Barker, but the signs are positive for the young Demon ruckman as there were times in the second half when he outjumped Chilver. Heath and Ashley Clugston gave the Lakers a lot of drive around the packs and they seemed to do the bulk of the work for their side whereas Ouyen United ran several players through their midfield. United will be hoping that Ben McCleary’s injury is not serious, but it was not a good sign seeing him limp off in the third term. The Lakers reported no major injury worries.
There was youth aplenty on both sides. Alexander Morrish did well for the Demons on a wing, particularly in the first and final terms with his precise use of the ball. Jeparit Rainbow would have been pleased for Nathan Cocks coming up from the Under 16s for his first senior game. In fact, Jeparit Rainbow’s four recruits Ben Marra, Daniel Greigg, Andrew Jackson and Luke Byrne all played well and should improve further as they settle in.
‘As expected this early in the season,’ said Ouyen United’s coach Ryan O’Callaghan, ‘it was a scrappy affair at times so I was pleased that the boys fought out the game well and it is great to win first up.’
For Jeparit Rainbow, it looks like they are in for a good season as there were positives for them to take home. Their very young team with only a handful of players over 25 stood up well against the experience of Ouyen.
Turnovers hurt the Demons, but they would have been pleased to have a first up win behind them as they travel to Beulah next week.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V BEULAH
A big preseason, some astute recruiting and a far more determined attitude resulted in an upset first round win for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers over reining premiers Beulah. Nearly five goals down at three quarter time, it would have been a brave person to predict that the Tigers would win, much less run all over the Blues in a dazzling final term display hold Beulah to one goal and scoring eight themselves.
Over the course of the first three quarters, Beulah seemed to have the Tigers’ measure. After an even first quarter, Beulah gradually increased their lead to seemingly have a firm grip on the game at the final change. The breeze had more of an influence on the game than it may have appeared outside the fence.
Nathan Wight’s seven goals provided the Tigers with a great target up forward, new comer Joshua Longeri chipped in with four; Raymond Hender and Luke Martin backed up with a goal each. New players Matthew Vinning and John Foskett performed well for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, but it was the experienced Liam Barry who was their best player on the day.
For Beulah David King kicked three goals without being dominant, and it was left to the experienced Kim and Garry Hallam and Scott Smith to do most of the work. Gareth Hose played another good game for the Blues to be their best player.
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
Cat supporters had almost forgotten what it feels like to win so this first round upset had them cheering with delight in what turned out to be a great result for the Mallee League as a whole. Last year Woomelang Lascelles couldn’t take a trick; they were decimated through injury and winless for the season. Over the summer they went out and recruited in numbers with the result that they have vastly improved their depth and won both seniors and reserves against a competitive, but ultimately disappointing Walpeup Underbool.
Joshua Rattcliff going into the ruck gave the Cats a big bodied presence which in turn helped them to get the ball out of middle. With Trent Donnan doing well around the packs and Jason Kreuger using the ball well up forward Woomelang Lascelles suddenly found themselves on the offensive for long periods of play, rather than on the defensive as they were last year.
When Anthony Foott was sent off half way through the first quarter, Walpeup Underbool took advantage of having an extra man and they were able to get back in the game with an eight goal second term. When Foott returned, he seemed to be a man on a mission and more than made up for lost time when he came back onto the ground in the second half.
Woomelang Lascelles will be hoping that Trent Donnan is able to play a few games for them this season as he was their best player in an outstanding performance. Donnan was brilliant all day most notably in his work around the packs where he looked very strong. He will be missed when required by the Pioneers. Several new players to the club were also prominent for the Cats. Jason Kreuger ended up with five goals and Jayden Lonergan four to be amongst their best.
Walpeup Underbool may be all the better for his shock loss. The have the classto mix it with all teams and will be out to redeem themselves as the season progresses.
For the Cats, this was a big day and marked the end of a run of 38 games without a win at the club. Things are definitely on the up and it looks like they will chalk up a few more wins before the season is out.
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Last Modified on 04/04/2011 22:48
