Wycheproof-Narraport v Charlton
Wycheproof-Narraport won the toss and elected to kick with the aid of the wind in the opening term. As the results will show they did not capitalise on the wind assistance and could only register the one goal for the term. Charlton were unable to kick a goal but were still only in arrears of the Demons by 7-points at quarter time.
Charlton used the wind better than their opposition in the second quarter but were unable to put any big gap between themselves and the Demons. Wyche-Narraport fared better on the score board into the wind and only for their bad kicking could have taken an advantage to the long break, but it was Charlton who took a slender 1-point lead to the main break, and sensing that they may be able to cause what most would consider an upset by defeating the Demons, something which they have not been able to achieve in recent times.
After the break things went from bad to worse for the Demons, when they could only add two-points to their half time score. Corey Jones was yellow carded early in this quarter and the Navy Blues took advantage of the extra number and kicked two late goals to give them a thirteen point lead at three quarter time. While the 13-point margin was nothing huge, it was enough to lift the spirits of the Navy Blues. Neither side was doing anything spectacular nor did the game reach any high standard, it was a pretty ordinary game to this point, with time running out for both sides to show some improvement.
Charlton was able to add to their lead when Rhys Thompson kicked his fourth goal for the day in an unusual role for the Navy’s regular backman. Jones kicked the Demons only goal for the final term and when Wellington answered for the visitors the Demons could sense that this game was slipping away. They say that bad kicking is bad football and the Demons would qualify as they kicked 17 points for the day.
Charlton kicked the last goal of the game which extended their lead out to 23-points and this win would give them second spot on the ladder, replacing the Demons who now sit third.
Scores Charlton 9-10=64 def Wycheproof-Narraport 4-17=41
Best for Charlton: R. Wellington, P. McCormack, T. Finlay, M. Laffin, J. McGrath and C. Thiesz.
Goals: R. Thompson 4, L. Kyriakides, R. Wellington 2, C. Obrien 1.
Best for the Demons: Boe Bish, Jesse and Josh White, J. Turner, T. Rumbold, N. Elliott. Goals: K. McNicol, J. Pardella, C. Jones and Josh White 1 each.
Donald v Wedderburn
Both the Royal Blues and Redbacks started this game at a hectic pace, with neither side able to take any advantage. It took until the 10-minute mark of the first term before either side could register a major score. Leading goal kicker Barnes broke the deadlock kicking one of his 10-goals for the day. Herdman (2) and Rose kicked goals for the Redbacks just prior to the first change and the league leaders shot out to a 29-point lead.
Donald controlled the play early in the second quarter and was able to kick a couple of goals through Hogan and Dunstan. The Redbacks fought back through Barnes and McHugh, both kicking two goals. McHugh read the play well and from his half back post followed play into the Redbacks forward line on both occasions to bring up much needed goals for the Wedderburn side. At half time the Redbacks lead had reached 44-points and with the visitors starting to get some system into their game the chances of the Royals causing any upset was rapidly disappearing.
Wedderburn turned on some champagne football in this third term when they were able to add 9-goals and restrict the Donald side to just one major. Barnes was again hitting his straps which would result in a further four goals to his tally in the quarter. Wedderburn’s Nathan Holt and Postle got into the act and when Gash, Benaim and Perry goaled to cap off a top quarter of football for the Redbacks. When the siren sounded the lead of the Redbacks had stretched out to 96-points.
It looked like the Royals had a point to prove in the last quarter as they booted three unanswered goals. Wedderburn didn’t take kindly to the Royals renewed spirit and were able to get the ball into Barnes who finished of the good work of the mid-fielders. Strange was again in peak form controlling the centre bounces all day and mopping up down back as required winning many contests and halting the Royals forward moves. Wedderburn rounded off a good day with five last quarter goals. Donald played their best football in the last quarter but was outplayed all day by the leagues reigning premiers. At full time the Redbacks lead was 101-points, this was mainly due to Barnes who kicked 10 goals for the day.
Scores Wedderburn 22-14=146 def Donald 7-3=45
Best for Wedderburn; S. Barnes, R. Tonkin, B. Strange, R. McHugh, A. Postle and H. Polglase.
Goals: S. Barnes 10, D. Gash, B. Rose, R. McHugh, B. Herdman 2, N. Holt, C. Perry, D. Benaim and A. Postle 1 each.
Best for Donald: R. Funcke, T. Bell, J. Newell, A. Flood, R. Maatman, R. Harberger.
Goals: N. Dunstan 3, B. Grant 2, E. Guthrie and J. Hogan 1 each.
Birchip-Watchem v Boort
This game between the Bulls and the Magpies had plenty riding on it, Birchip-Watchem after suffering two loses in a row, looking to regain a spot back in the top four. For the Magpies a loss would virtually finish any chance of finals for2012.
The home side were quickly into attack and put the first major score on the board through Messer. Boort were having trouble getting the ball past the centre with the Bulls back line and mid-field players defending any forward moves from the opposition. Foott goaled for the Bulls late in the term, in a quarter of football that didn’t have much spark in the contest. Birchip-Watchem went to the first change holding a thirteen point lead, Boort was restricted to just one point for the quarter, and this was not the sort of start they were hoping for.
Birchip-Watchem again struck early with Hallam kicking accurately, Boort pushed forward and were rewarded when Jacob Fitzpatrick snapped a nice goal for the Magpies first goal of the day. With scoring opportunities almost dried up for both sides this contest was doing nothing to get the crowd involved, Messer goaled for the Bulls just prior to the main break to give the home side a twenty-three point lead.
Compared to the first half it was raining goals in the premiership quarter with both sides scoring freely. The Bulls was able to add a further five goals and the Magpies put on three more goals to make their score look reasonable and come three quarter time the Bulls lead was 64 to 28 a lead of 36-points.
Boort pulled out all stops in this final quarter to try and pull back the Bulls lead, this they were able to achieve up to midway through the quarter, when the Bulls restarted their motor and answered the Magpies challenge to their lead. With the Bulls looking to have secured a very important 35-point win for the club, both sides played the game right out to the final bell with both displaying their best football in this term, in a game that had very little highlights or atmosphere. By winning the Bulls return to the top four, but for Boort their chances of finals action in 2012 looks to be all but gone.
Scores Birchip-Watchem 14-11=95 def Boort 9-6=60
Best for Birchip-Watchem J. Hogan, C. Hallam, C. Hall, Z. Holmes, L. Foott, P. Messer
Goals for the Bulls: L. Foott 5, P. Messer 3, C. Hallam 2, T. Walder, M. Smith, J. Phelan, J. Noonan 1 each.
Best for Boort: J. Baker, N. Gooding, K. Wilson, R. Easton, Jacob Fitzpatrick, C. Hatcher.
Goals for Boort: Jacob Fitzpatrick 5, N. Gooding, K. Smith, L. Newell, L. Van Schaik 1 each.
Next Week’s Matches
Boort v Wycheproof-Narraport
St Arnaud v Birchip-Watchem
Charlton v Donald
Wedderburn has the Bye
Last Modified on 01/07/2012 13:52