by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V BEULAH
In a significant result for the rejuvenated Jeparit Rainbow, an undermanned Beulah went down to the Lakers by sixteen points in ideal conditions on Saturday.
Missing five players of their own, it was a great win by Jeparit Rainbow and a positive sign for the future because the players promoted from the reserves, all played well.
It was an even first quarter around the ground, but Beulah’s poor kicking for goal left them behind at the first break. From the same number of shots on goal, the Blues could only manage seven behinds whilst the Lakers took advantage of their forward entries with three goals four behinds.
The second quarter started off evenly in general play with Beulah finally managing to get goals on the scoreboard, until the Lakers broke away just before half time.
It was goal for goal in third term. The Blues made a valiant last quarter effort to try to catch up, but they couldn’t bridge the gap. Despite holding Jeparit Rainbow goalless for the term, they ultimately failed by sixteen points.
Nevertheless it was a great last quarter. The tension in the air was palpable and it made for an enthralling 30 minutes that saw the Lakers just hold on when they really had several chances to seal the game, but could not deal the killer blow.
After playing well early in the season without reward, it was not surprising that the Lakers were jubilant in victory. When the final siren sounded, players and supporters alike vented their joy long and loud. This could prove to be a significant win for the Lakers. They have been wanting to prove that they can match it with the cream of the competition and they have finally done so.
The Clugston brothers were simply outstanding for Jeparit Rainbow. Ashley marked well all around the ground, he ran all day and kicked two goals. Heath managed one goal and was prominent whether playing in defence or on the ball. Corey Waldron was inspirational in winning the contested ball in the pack, Lucas Edelsten and Andrew Jackson used their pace on the wings to give great drive.
The Laker defence once again kept the opposition to a low score and with Adam Roll moved to fullback this week, they were able to increase their marking power down back.
On the forward line, Laker youngster Jake Parry ran hard to make good position, in turn opening up the forward line. Luke Oldaker up from the reserves played his first senior game since coming from Nhill and he was another who added strength and marking power up forward.
There was a great duel in the ruck between Justin Chilver and Stephen Saunders with Saunders winning the centre bounces, but Justin contributing with his play around the ground and up forward.
Jeparit Rainbow coach Luke Werner praised the efforts of his players. ‘They put great pressure all day on Beulah and showed that they are adapting to our new game plan.’ He also stressed that this was only one win and that the players need to now concentrate on next week’s game against the powerful Walpeup Underbool lineup.
HOPETOUN V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
In perfect conditions for football, Hopetoun’s good early season form came to a grinding halt as they were comprehensively beaten by a Walpeup Underbool side that is currently boasting one of the best forward line set ups in the League.
For the third match in a row, Wade Champion has been named the Roos’ best and his eight goals, combined with Matthew Brown’s seven, was all too much for the Devils. They could not match those two despite several positional changes during the game including at one stage using Kain Robbins on Champion.
The opening was fast and free flowing and it wasn’t long before Champion was prominent kicking the Roos’ first goal for the game. This was quickly followed by one from Joab Mead with a great confidence boosting snap from the forward pocket.
With their half back line repelling Hopetoun attacks, the Roos were getting on top and when they snuck out to a three goal lead, Hopetoun made the move, putting Robins on to the dangerous Champion. When Hopetoun goaled late in the quarter through Reuben Vesikuru they were still in touch at quarter time.
Things looked good for Hopetoun as they got off to the perfect start with a quick goal at the beginning of the second term. This seemed to rouse the home supporters, but when Champion replied after marking strongly shortly after, and great rebound football from Jeremy Rowe saw another Walpeup Underbool major, the crowd were quickly silenced. By the time Matt Brown had kicked his second the Roos had skipped out to a four goal lead.
In a frantic effort to get back in the game, Kain Robbins was moved to half forward, but the Devils were only plugging leaks as not long after, Ross Stone bobbed up and was rewarded with a goal after some hard running off half back. The Devils were in serious trouble.
Both sides were running hard with the ball and this gave forwards plenty of chances. Hopetoun were able to kick three goals in the third term, but unfortunately for them, the Roos were able to answer with six of their own. Lucas Puckle was prominent for the Devils, but Matt Brown continued his dominance after a four goal second term to kick his sixth and seventh for the match this term.
Hopetoun needed more out of their on ballers and forwards to get back into the game. They were doing well in the ruck, but were unable to get the ball out of the centre or away from the packs. The Devils tried hard and kept pushing the ball forward, but the Walpeup Underbool backs were making scoring very difficult. Jeremy Rowe, AJ Wisneske and Kane Munro ran and repelled with dash if the Devils started to look even slightly dangerous.
In the end the Devils had no answer for the dominance of Wade Champion. They found it difficult to penetrate a rock solid Walpeup Underbool defence and they were beaten around the packs.
With the likely return of Leigh Hutchinson, Dan Young and Zac Taggert next week, Hopetoun will be keen to return to winning form against the Cats at Woomelang.
OUYEN UNITED V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
A large and expectant crowd watched in ideal conditions as a rampant Ouyen United systematically tore apart an ultimately disappointing Woomelang Lascelles at Blackburn Park on Saturday.
A lot was expected of this match as the Cats were previously undefeated and the Demons needed a good win after succumbing to the Blues in their previous game.
Unfortunately for the crowd, and Woomelang Lascelles, apart from a brief patch in the first term when the Cats got to within 10 points of the Demons, it was all one way traffic.
Ouyen United looked ominous. They were too big, too strong and too highly skilled for the Cats. Their forward line set up meant that they had several avenues to goal rather than relying totally on Bradley Vallance and Sonny Lindsey, who nonetheless both played outstanding games.
Woomelang Lascelles were easily brushed aside and even though their endeavour could not be questioned, their lack of body strength meant that United players all over the ground were able to break tackles, take on their opponent and usually run away from them. The Demons used handball and precise field kicking to great effect.
If the Cats did go forward and had the chance to score, they often missed gettable goals that would have kept them in some sort of range. When Ouyen United were scoring eight straight in their stunning second quarter, the Cats could only manage four behinds in their rare forays forward. Two periods of play summed up the difference between the two sides. Towards the end of an entertaining and competitive first quarter, Woomelang Lascelles kicked behinds. Jayden Lonergan had chances to goal, but twice missed after taking good grabs, Rohan Coburn missed and worst of all Clayton Lee sprayed a shot after running into an open goal from10 meters.
Early in the match the Cats were able to get the ball forward but were thwarted by a tight United defence lead by Andrew Jardine and Kieran O’Shannessy. United were getting a good go from the umpire but it was because they were playing smart, they were playing in front and tackling with skill.
The Ouyen United forward line set up was different this week. By pushing the likes of Adam O’Callaghan, Dom Leach and Peter Caldow closer to goal, centreline players suddenly had more options. These three kicked six goals between them, not a bad effort when your full forward bags nine and the centre half forward dominates with five.
If the first quarter belonged to Bradley Vallance, the second quarter and arguably the rest of the match was Brett Knowles’. This is not to say that Brad was any less effective, it is an indication of the midfield dominance of Knowles.
Rotating through the centre, Knowles worked in tandem with other united midfielders Glenn Joyce and, until he limped off in the second term, Marc Hahnel. It didn’t seem to matter that Woomelang Lascelles were winning most of the ruck contests, these three were able to shark the ball, handball once and the Demons were away.
Another area of interest for Demon fans was the improving form of its younger brigade who rotated off the bench and onto the wings all day. In the second quarter Bradley Summerhayes twice grabbed a lose ball cleanly, sped away from the pack and delivered long and cleanly to his forwards. His smother at half forward in this same quarter resulted in one of Lindsey’s many goals. It was only one small passage of play, but it helped set the tone for a match that United was clearly more desperate to win.
Joshua Coates was involved in a brilliant solo passage of play in the third term gathering and running down the scoreboard flank. This also lead to a goal. Alexander Morrish continues to make position, mark cleanly and pass with precision. He knows where his forwards will lead. Experienced United players look for the youngsters, they are not afraid to give them the ball, thus drawing them into play.
And then there was Sonny Lindsey … simply unstoppable at full forward. Several times he was penalised for holding or pushing out, but this did not seem to bother him. He simply waited for his next opportunity, held his ground, usually marked and goaled. His accuracy was something the Cats could have done with.
Mark Charleson did well for the Woomelang Lascelles, Jason Kreuger kicked two goals including one off the ground in the first quarter when the Cats were still with the Demons and they won in the ruck. Apart from that, there was little to cheer about for Cat fans. They sorely missed the skills and talent of Trent Donnan.
In the long run it was the class of Ouyen United’s best players that was the difference between the two sides.
Last Modified on 01/05/2011 14:05
