by Jim Gordon
OUYEN UNITED V JEPARIT RAINBOW
On a cold clear day at Blackburn Park, Ouyen United kicked with the aid of the breeze in the opening term. The first goal of the day was scored by Jeparit Rainbow’s Jake Parry after good play by Heath Clugston; the Lakers’ second goal came in the third term when Ashley Cook marked and goaled. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Ouyen United completely dominated the play in between these two goals. By the time that second Jeparit Rainbow goal came, United had 15 on the board.
This was a very good display by the Demons, they comprehensively overwhelmed the Lakers reversing the result from earlier in the year at Rainbow.
United were on top early, although goals were initially hard to come by. Jarred Erlandson twice and Bradley Summerhayes missed shots that should have been goals and if it wasn’t for a couple of late goals to Casey Stoeszer and Erlandson, United could have been accused of wasting what was the scoring end.
At quarter time coach Ryan O’Callaghan told his troops that whilst they had clearly won the first term, they needed to win the second quarter kicking into the wind to stamp their authority on the match. As it turned out, they had no trouble in doing so kicking eight goals in the process and holding the Lakers to a measly four behinds.
Play was nevertheless entertaining early for the supporters who turned up to watch two sides well outside the four attempting to get their seasons back on track. Mistakes were made by both sides, but the first quarter in particular had some great passages of play by both teams. After quarter time, all of the good play came from the Demons.
Watching John Jackson, Glenn Joyce and Ryan O’Callaghan link up and run the ball from half back to half forward is what this game is all about. Through their skill and talent, they are able to bring in those around them and they seem to be able to lift the whole team. Those three know how to position themselves and instinctively know where each other is on the field.
Jarred Erlandson delights with his marking, running and kicking to position, Mitchell Taylor was on fire early and played with a deft light touch all day. Ben Mole stole the limelight with individual cameos of magic and seemed to take spectacular marks when you least expected. Casey Stoetzer made the most of his opportunities, took a couple of good grabs and kicked accurately. Nevertheless, Tyler Edelsten was able to defend well against Stoetzer to prevent him from being even more damaging.
But it was John Jackson who stood out on the day. An unlikely looking star who runs low to the ground, Jackson is quick, astute and above all he is loud and demands the ball, always using it to advantage with his deep, penetrating kicks.
Jeparit Rainbow played with a lot more determination in the third quarter and managed to score goals, but the highlights were all red and blue. Within minutes of each other, two of the best goals of the day were kicked by the Demons. The first by Jackson from the boundary line at the scoreboard end twenty metres out, the second, only minutes later, was from the same spot, but from the unlikely boot of backman Dean Jardine.
The other highlight for the quarter was a great running gaol from Summerhayes. After Peter Caldow got the ball out of the centre, Summerhayes broke away, took on the opposition, ran hard and kicked accurately from 50m. He was a lively, skilful presence all day around the forward line.
Jeparit Rainbow were well served by their more seasoned players who tended to play in the midfield or dropped back to try and stop the forward thrusts from United. Ashley Clugston was their best, he did well whether playing on the ball or up forward where he took some very solid marks. Aaron Beer tried hard all day and got a lot of the ball as did Ben Marra and Heath Clugston. Sean Bayzand uses the ball very well and was another who tried hard. The last time these two sides met Justin Chilver was a dominant player, but he was quiet this time against the Demons although he took a couple of good marks up forward.
Next week Ouyen United travel to Beulah in what is now a must win game if they want to make the four. The Lakers take on Hopetoun at Rainbow and will need to play a lot better than they did against the Demons if they are to have any chance to win.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V BEULAH
In a very good display of team oriented football, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers ran out 35 point winners over Beulah at Sea Lake. Holding the ascendancy for most of the day, this win puts the Tigers second on the ladder ready to take on ladder leaders Walpeup Underbool next week.
The game was even in the first quarter, but gradually Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers got on top of the Blues and increased their lead at each break before breaking away in the final term kicking four goals to Beulah’s one. Coach Jarrod Arentz’s seven goals was highlight for his side, but they had many good players on the day.
Beulah looked dangerous early, they were winning the clearances and they had a focal point in Tristen Walker who was marking strongly deep in attack. Not to be outdone, the Tigers kept plugging away and kept the pressure on the Blues and gradually worked their way into the game.
After quarter time the Tigers began to dominate play and they ran with the ball to drive it into the leading Arentz. Matt Elliott was unstoppable in a best on ground performance and Luke Martin dominated the ruck.
In a tough and tight affair, both sides needed to be right on top of their game. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were able to gain an advantage from some uncharacteristic undisciplined Beulah play that saw them give away three 50m penalties in the first half.
One of the penalties was almost game deciding as it took Steve Lyons took from half back to 55m out directly in front and saw him kick a great long goal. Beulah never seemed to recover from this setback.
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
In what was a heartbreaking loss for Woomelang Lascelles, the Cats fell just nine points short in a great game against league leaders Walpeup Underbool. To get so close only to fall away at the final hurdle is shattering for a side that played a huge game. Woomelang Lascelles would be proud of the efforts of their team and this game showed they are capable of playing a very good brand of football belying their position on the ladder.
Walpeup Underbool kicked the first goal for the day, but from then on the opening term belonged to the Cats. They jumped the Roos right from the start and stuck with them all day. Woomelang Lascelles put a lot of pressure on the opposition and at times it looked as if an upset was on the cards. Their tackling was fierce and relentless and they probably had more of the play, but could not convert on the score board because once again the lack of a key forward was the difference between winning and losing.
Kane Bannam was prominent early presenting well, as was Mark Charleson. The Roos coming off the bye had started slowly. The second term opened with the Cats continuing to play well, they had a lot of the play and were unrelenting in pushing the ball forward. The Roos needed a lift and eventually got one through the efforts of the dangerous Luke Nathan who kicked three goals for the term helping Walpeup Underbool to kick four unanswered goals to hit the front going into the half time break.
Woomelang Lascelles bounced back from a disappointing end to the first half and they were able to edge their way in front in the third term. The pressure from the Cats was causing the Roos to make mistakes as both teams dug deep in what was turning into a top contest between sides that are top and bottom of the ladder.
The hard slog continued into the last term. Woomelang Lascelles were desperate in front of their home crowd, but unfortunately for them, the Roos seemed to find just enough when it mattered most to take the win in the end.
Kane Munro showed a lot of class and composure for Walpeup Underbool. Leading from the front, Munro took some terrific marks in a best on ground performance.
Joel and Trent Donnan were best for Woomelang Lascelles and joint coach Aaron Lonergan is having a very good season. Lonergan was inspirational with contested marking under a great deal of pressure from the Roos and finished with two goals for the day.
Brodie Adcock played well across half back, he is able to use his foot skills to great advantage and 17 year old Willy Simpson played his best senior game for the club so far. Simpson was played deep in defence and managed to hold down his position no matter who was on him.
This was all together a great team game from the Cats, but unfortunately they come away with no points as the Roos were just that bit better on the day. It has turned out to be a disappointing month for Woomelang Lascelles as they have played four solid weeks of football and only come away with one win. This match proved that they do not consider themselves a spent force yet and no doubt at looking forward to playing the Tigers after their bye next week.
Last Modified on 24/06/2012 19:26
