by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
A ten goal second term set up a very good win for Jeparit Rainbow in their opening game for the season against Woomelang Lascelles at Rainbow. The Cats outscored the Lakers in three of the quarters, but the damage was done in that stunning thirty minutes of all over the ground domination by Jeparit Rainbow.
‘I am very pleased with the efforts of all players,’ said Jeparit Rainbow coach Luke Werner after the match. ‘The most pleasing aspect was that every player contributed at some stage of the game.’
The last quarter turned into a nail-biting affair when Woomelang Lascelles got to within a few points of the Lakers. However they steadied through goals to James Phillip and Ash Clugston who stood up when needed and they went on to record a good win to start off the season.
In warm, sunny conditions, the game started slowly and even though Woomelang Lascelles had most of the play in the first quarter, they wasted shots at goal and should have been further ahead than 23 points.
Right from the start of the second quarter Jeparit Rainbow played a fantastic brand of football to set up a match winning lead that the shell-shocked Cats could not claw back. It started in the ruck where Justin Chilver got on top giving first use of the ball to onballers Aaron Beer, Andrew Watson, Ben Marra and Lucas Edelsten
In a best on ground performance, Ashley Clugston played a scintillating second quarter to set the Lakers alight up forward. Clugston finished with four goals from several great marks and his explosive pace made him difficult to match up against.
With James Philip getting on top at centre half forward after quarter time, the Woomelang Lascelles defence was continually under pressure. Phillip’s mobility for a tall player made him another player hard for the Cats to match up against.
Woomelang Lascelles fought back well in the third term. Anthony Foott, Rohan Coburn, and Trent Donnan were in plenty of the play and Jason Kreuger was probably the best Cat with a good performance over the whole day.
Jeparit Rainbow’s Tyler Edelsten in his 50th game for the Lakers gave away an advantage in height and weight to his opponent, but held the defence together when they were under pressure in the second half. Other youngsters to do well for Jeparit Rainbow were Adam Schumann, who also played his 50th, Brett Jenz and Simon Clugston also defended well.
Jeparit Rainbow entered the game without their captain Heath Clugston who had a marriage to organise - his own! Andrew Watson from Nhill was a late clearance on Friday and was able to play for the Lakers. Other new recruits were Andrew Watson, Aaron Beer and James Philip who all played well.
The Lakers will approach next week’s game against the Tigers with a lot of self belief after this good win. Two out of two will set them up nicely before taking on the Demons at home. The Cats will need to win against Beulah next week to get their season on track.
HOPETOUN V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
In a classy early season display at Hopetoun, the Devils sounded out a warning to all other Mallee Football League clubs that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
The Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers had no answer to the all over the ground domination by Hopetoun in conditions that were warm and were always going to test player fitness.
After an even first term during which both sides scored four goals, Hopetoun used the ball with fast and accurate movement all over the ground and played a direct brand of football that the Tigers just could not match.
They had a match winner in the unstoppable Kain Robins who finished with three goals in a Hopetoun forward line that was dominant. If Robins wasn’t able to mark, he got the ball to ground for his running forwards to mop up and do the damage. Deek Roberts scored five goals from half forward, the dynamic Lucas Puckle four and Bryce Wellington three after a great battle with Jarrod Alderton.
Ben Reid gets better for Hopetoun with every game. Reid is showing plenty of maturity at half back and Zac Robins has also started the season off well. Jake Roberts and Kyle Gainsford are locals who have returned for the Devils and they also showed that they will be handy inclusions for the season.
Tom Pridgeon was the Devils’ best on baller along with Liam Price. Anthony Baker did his job very well and can only improve as he learns the ways of his new team mates.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers would be disappointed with this effort after some big name recruits over summer including coach Jarrod Arentz who finished with three goals. The Tigers will be hoping for more in the not too distant future from Arentz. Jarrod Alderton, Daniel McEwan, Col Durie and John Guthrie were three contributors for the Tigers in what was a disappointing ten goal hiding.
The Tigers were outplayed for the majority of the day and could only get momentum going for short periods of time. It was a disappointing loss which was worsened with injuries to some key players. They lost Mark Roberts early with a knee injury.
The Tiger defence was under pressure all day and it was no surprise that Jarrod Alderton stood tall at full back and he was ably assisted by John Guthrie playing in the pocket beside him. Dan McEwan in his first game for the club was another rare winner for the Tigers, whilst wingers Jason Campbell and Billy Price were only slowed by cramp in the gruelling conditions.
Hopetoun lost David Baulch in the first half with an ankle injury, but he should be right for their next game against Ouyen United.
Hopetoun travel to Ouyen next Saturday to see the Demons unfurl their 2011 Premiership flag. This should be incentive enough to face United with a lot of confidence after this outstanding first up win against the Tigers.
BEULAH V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
It was a case of too little too late at Beulah on Saturday when the Blues went down by over four goals to a rejuvenated Walpeup Underbool who had their best win in three seasons. Beulah outscored the Roos by seven goals to two in the final term, but by that time Walpeup Underbool had the game well and truly won and seemed to ease off the pressure and run out the game knowing they had a lead that the Blues had no hope of pegging back.
Both teams took a while to settle in to the game, with scores difficult to come by until Walpeup Underbool were able to convert several chances late in the first quarter to finish the term strongly.
Right from the start new recruit David Piasente was giving the Roo forwards plenty of opportunity by continually clearing the ball out of the centre. The Walpeup Underbool backline was teaming up well, using the pace of Simon Brown, Jeremy Rowe and Ryan Anderson to clear the ball and push forward.
Walpeup Underbool began the second quarter with two quick goals after once again taking advantage of a winning centreline. When Luke Nathan twice marked strongly and converted, the Roos had opened up a handy lead. It was the relentless pressure that Walpeup Underbool was able to put on Beulah that was creating chances for the Roos … and they were making the most of their chances.
Beulah fought hard late in the second quarter to get a couple of goals back, but the damage had been done and the Roos went into the long break with a handy six goal lead.
Walpeup Underbool jumped out after half time with just as much enthusiasm as they showed in the first half and were able to score a quick goal to extend their lead before Beulah began to start to claw their way back into the game and narrow the margin. Both teams continued to run hard in the hot conditions and whether or not the Roos tired, Beulah still showed plenty of fight late in the game, but the gap was far too great.
Beulah’s seven goal final term was mainly due to the work of Bradley Shannon, Scott Smith, who finished with five goals and Gareth Hose. They were three who were at least showing some resistance, some class and respectability for the Blues.
In a best on ground performance, Chris Lynch played a terrific game for Walpeup Underbool. Lynch rucked most of the day and with David Piasente gaining plenty of possessions around the ground and Kane Munro a strong marking standout up forward, the Roos have a lot to be happy with this rare win at Beulah. This victory was also achieved without the services of Wade Champion who was a late withdrawal.
Walpeup Underbool have the bye next week before facing the Cats at home and Beulah are away to Woomelang Lascelles. The Blues’ last quarter against the Roos will give them some sense that they are on the right track to still be a force in the MFL; a win against the Cats, and they are right back in the mix.
Last Modified on 15/04/2012 14:03
