Birchip-Watchem v Donald
Scores Donald 11-6 =72 def Birchip-Watchem 7-10= 52
In an even first quarter both the Royals and Bulls were hard at the contest and set the stage for an interesting contest. Both sides injecting new players into their team’s, were hoping that these players could lift their stocks in 2012, and it was the Donald recruit in Bell who stood out, winning many possessions and setting up many attacking moves which would result in the visitors holding a six point lead at the first change.
The second quarter turned out to be a scrappy affair, with only one goal being kicked for the term, that being kicked by Donald’s Blake Grant. Birchip-Watchem could only manage four points in this quarter and went to the half time break trailing by 9-points.
After the break it was the Royal Blues who would do all of the attacking and with the support of their backline opened up a match winning break to take a 35-point lead into the final quarter.
The Bulls had a mini revival early in the last quarter and added some much needed goals, but their run was halted when the visitors posted another major to seal the game and take the points with a 20-point defeat of their old rivals.
Both sides will show some improvement in the coming weeks when some key players return and add much needed strength to both squads.
Best for Donald, B. Grant, T Bell, D. Harrison, R. Funcke, A. Grant and C. O’Rourke.
Goal kickers; B. Grant 4, N. Dunstan 3, R. Funcke, R Givney, B. Jennings and J. Hogan 1 each.
Best for Birchip-Watchem, Brenton and Cam Hall, J. Noonan, L. Foott, Z. Holmes and J. Hogan.
Goal Kickers, L. Foott 3, S. Fiora 2, M. Smith and A. Hutchins 1 each.
Boort v Charlton
Scores Charlton 9-17=71 def Boort 7-9=51
Boort under new coach David Cox were first to strike in the opening term, in a quarter of football which seen no side able to take advantage of the perfect playing conditions. Boort held a seven point margin over the Navy Blues at quarter time.
Goals were hard to come by in the second quarter with both side only able to raise the both flags on one occasion. Charlton could have held a nice lead at the main change but their inaccuracy in front of goal cost them dearly and the went to the half time break trailing by 2-points in what was a very scrappy game.
Boort broke the shackles in the premiership quarter and looked as if they might run away with the game, but the Navy Blues rallied late in the quarter to reduce the Magpies lead back to 14-point when they went to the final break, this setting up a winning chance for both sides in the final term. The standard of football in this quarter lifted as players started to regain some much needed skills.
Looking to have the job in front of them, Charlton, who to this point could only manage four goals’, lifted their work rate marginally and this resulted in early goals to reduce the Magpies lead to just 2-points. The Charlton side appeared to get their second wind and quickly added to their tally and took the lead for the first time in the game. Once again it was their inaccuracy around goals that prevented them from taking out the game by a bigger margin than 20-points, as they doubled their score of the first three quarters, in this final term, while their backline held firm, only allowing the Magpies one scoring shot that being a minor score.
Best for Charlton, D. Thiesz, T. Finlay, A. McKenzie, P. McCormack, A. Judd and J. McLean.
Goal Kickers, D. Thiesz 2, J. McLean, B. Roberts, Joe McGrath, C. O’Brien, A.Judd, T. Finlay, R. wellington.
Best for Boort, J. Baker, K. Wilson, C. Chalmers, B. McDonald, J. Smith and T. Rhook.
Goal Kickers, R. Easton 2, M. Hodoras, N. Gooding, M. Kane, M. Rice, J. Smith.
St Arnaud v Wedderburn
Scores Wedderburn 24-22=166 def St Arnaud 9-6=60
St Arnaud entered their contest against the reigning premiers with a new look strip and a buzz of excitement with the hopes that their recruits would lift them off the bottom of the NCFL ladder.
In the opening term the new look St Arnaud matched it with the Redbacks and showed good signs for their supporters and when Ezard marked and converted for the Saints the St Arnaud faithful went up as one. Wedderburn responded with goals to Barnes and Benaim. Needs and Goglan added majors for the home side before Feeny Medallist Ben DeAraugo and Cam Perry put the Redbacks in front at the first change, in what was an entertaining first quarter for both sides.
Wedderburn took control in the second quarter and added eight goals to the Saints one for the quarter and broke out to a 57-point lead. Although outplayed in this term there was still plenty of spirit in the Saints team, which showed some good signs that will see them get their rewards in the near future. Herdman and Barnes set up plenty of opportunities for the Redbacks, which was a major factor in the half time lead held by the Redbacks.
In the third quarter the Saints moved the ball into their forward line often, only to see the ball rebounded back by the solid Wedderburn backline. The Saints were breaking down up forward where new recruit Goglan was being well held and the Saints not offering any other major focal point, while the visitors had many options up forward which was resulting in plenty of scoring opportunities and at the final break seen the Redbacks lead stretch out to 81-points.
At the three quarter time break the Saints made some positional changes, which seen coach James McNamee move into the forward line, this resulting in immediate success when he was able to bring up both flags for the Saints. Although Wedderburn were able extend their lead in the final term, there would be some concern with their inaccuracy in front of goal where they would compile 22-points for the day. Herdman, Barnes and Benaim capped off good days with goals in this quarter. For the Saints, Stewart, McNamee and Pickthall turned in solid games. Although well beaten by the reigning premiers there were plenty of signs that the Saints will improve and cause opposition sides havoc in the near future, it is only a matter of time when the players get to know each other’s strengths that Saints supporters will get to see the results that will have them back on the winning list.
Best for Wedderburn, B. Herdman, B. Strange, D. Benaim, S. Barnes, B. Rose and R. Tonkin.
Goals, S. Barnes, B. Herdman 6, D. Benaim, B. DeAraguo 3, B. Strange 2, R. McHugh, R. Tonkin, C. Perry and C. Taylor.
Best for St Arnaud, L. Stewart, D. Pickthall, J. McNamee, L. Cunningham, B. Batters and T. Petrie.
Goals, B. Ezard, J.McNamee, L. Cunningham 2, N. Goglan, D. Needs and B. Organ 1 each.
Next Week
Wedderburn v Birchip-Watchem
Charlton v St Arnaud
Donald v Wycheproof-Narraport.
Last Modified on 16/04/2012 17:37