by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
Jeparit Rainbow’s seven goal loss to Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers makes it look very unlikely that the Lakers will figure in this year’s MFL finals. They are not a patch on the team that started off the season so well.
Yesterday’s game followed the same pattern of many Jeparit Rainbow games this year, competitive at times, but hopelessly outclassed for long periods of play. Once again poor decision making and poor disposal skills hurt the Lakers badly. Too often Jeparit Rainbow players reverted to kicking the ball long to a contest where it was often two against one, instead of passing short to a player on their own and in a better position.
The Lakers have been carried by the same group week after week. Heath Clugston is always named as one Jeparit Rainbow’s best and he just keeps winning the hard ball all over the ground. Corey Waldron, Ashley Clugston and Ben Marra likewise are consistently effective in the packs and they are hard running players all day.
Andrew Hiscock was once again solid at fullback, taking some good contested marks.
Daniel Greig was the only forward who looked dangerous for the Lakers. Grieg scored three goals by leading up the ground and he also took a couple of spectacular marks.
This was a pleasing win for the Tigers and keeps them in touch with the top flight and the reward of a final four spot. Liam Barry was terrific, Mark Duscher kicked four goals and Joshua Longeri had a great game and kicked two goals. Next week they take on ladder leaders Beulah and a chance to replicate their opening win of the season against the Blues at home.
It is going to be a long few weeks until the season ends for the Lakers. The task doesn’t get any easier next week when they take on Ouyen United at Blackburn Park.
HOPETOUN V OUYEN UNITED
On an overcast day with little or no wind, an impressive Ouyen United won well at Hopetoun to maintain the big gap between second and third on the MFL ladder.
The Demons were never in danger and at times they played a brilliant brand of football to overcome a gallant, but in the end a Hopetoun side that is not in the same class as the top two sides in the MFL.
Early in the match United were kicking long, but haphazardly to their forwards giving them very little chance to outmark a persistent Hopetoun defence. Once they started to hold onto the ball and look for the best option out of the centre instead of randomly kicking long, United looked a much better outfit.
At the 20 minute mark of the first quarter, the Devils were ahead when both sides had three goals on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for Hopetoun, that was it. By the time Kane Robins found Clint Castleman for Hopetoun’s fourth goal in the second quarter, Ouyen United had kicked nine goals to be fifty points ahead.
The Demons kicked four goals in the final ten minutes of the first term; it could have been five as coach Ryan O’Callaghan missed one that he would usually nail. Nevertheless O’Callaghan played a great game for United. He was often found deep in defence retaliating Hopetoun attacks, he then could be seen running forward and even had shots on goal. O’Callaghan is always prepared to put his body on the line and plays with a determination that should be an inspiration to younger players.
Under that Demon onslaught at the end of the first term, the Devils quickly fell away to a rabble. When Kieran O’Shannessy passed to Glenn Joyce who bombed the ball deep into the United forward line, two Hopetoun defenders ran into each other, causing the ball to spill free for Dom Leach to run in, pick it up and snap a goal.
United are not afraid to move the ball around. Coming out of defence they will change direction and go across the ground setting up a forward fray that allows their highly skilled centreline players plenty of room to display their speed and prowess. United will hold onto the ball in order to look for the best option.
Damon Healy was on fire early. He seemed to be everywhere and was given far too much latitude and allowed to roam free. With his evasive skills, his attack on the ball and his ability to run, he was in a lot of the play. Healy not only found others with his accurate passing, he would often run forward to receive a second time. Healy slowed down somewhat in the second half, but he had already caused a lot of damage.
Kane Robins and Andrew Jardine had a great battle. Both were effective for their sides, but unfortunately for Robins, he suffered from the fact that the ball was mainly in the United forward line. In a one-on-one battle, Jardine was often able to get to the front and outmark Robins, or punch the ball away. When Robins did get the ball, he usually found himself too far out from goal to cause United too much worry.
With Robins often covered, and Bryce Wellington closely monitored by Jarrod Munro, Clint Castleman became an effective foil. Several times he was allowed the space to make position, mark and kick accurately.
Leigh Hutchinson was another who did quite well for the Devils. Hutchinson took a couple of screamers during the game including one beauty on the outer wing in the second quarter. Hopetoun was unlucky to lose Ben Reid who had to come off early with a serious ankle injury.
Ben Reid started on Bradley Vallance, Devon Mill took over in the second term and although both tried hard, Vallance still managed to break free to claim six goals in an awesome display at centre half forward.
In probably his best game for the season, Peter Caldow saw a lot of the ball and was dangerous around the gaols. Wayne Grace kicked a beauty in the second term and Glenn Joyce did a lot of damage in and around the centre.
One to watch is big man Craig Deckert. No wonder the Demons have been after him for quite some time. When he was on the ground, the whole United side lifted. Deckert did not always win the tap at the centre, Simon Cook did well in this area, but where he came into his own was his work around the ground and his ability to organise those around him.
Deckert is a strong presence on the ground. He looks for others and they look for him. His effect on the likes of Glenn Joyce, Marc Hahnel and Damon Healy is palpable. At one stage in the second quarter he spent time in defence talking to a couple of the United youngsters before he sprinted back to the centre to contest the next hit out. In two weeks we will get to see Deckert take on Beulah’s big Steph Saunders.
BEULAH V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
Woomelang Lascelles lost no friends in this gallant loss to league leaders Beulah at Beulah. The final result blew out to 70 points, but not before the Cats clawed their way to within 16 points of the Blues in the third term.
Beulah got off to a good start kicking into a slight breeze and with a four goal break at quarter time, it looked like it could have become a one horse race. Yet the Cats kept going and only fell away in that final term that saw Beulah slam on ten goals to Woomelang Lascelle’s three.
A key move in turning the tide Beulah’s way was putting big Steph Saunders into the centre bounce contests in the third term. He was able to give Beulah first use of the ball resulting in the Blues scoring three quick goals to severely dint the Cats’ enthusiastic comeback.
Jason Krueger had another stand out game for the Cats, being close to best on the ground for the third week in a row. His second quarter was good as Woomelang Laselles came to the party and started using the ball better than Beulah. Kreuger kept up his fine form in the second half to cause Beulah a few headaches.
Woomelang Lascelle’s Andrew Lolicato played his best game for the club
Jackson Quirk is giving Woomelang Laselles good run from the back line, playing a similar role to Garry Hallam and proving to be just as effective. Tom Hallam had a great second half for the Blues and he was one reason they were able to finally get completely on top of the Cats and run away in the final term.
Woomelang Lascelles continue to be plagued by injury. Chris Foott dislocated his shoulder in the first three minutes of the game, Rohan Coburn went off with a knee injury and by three quarter time the Cats were left without anyone on the bench.
There are many positives to come out of this game for Woomelang Lascelles. In the end, they just ran out of legs. They take on the Roos next week at home. They are not without a chance to make the finals, but they are going to have to win that game.
Last Modified on 17/07/2011 13:52
