by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
Jeparit Rainbow’s spirited 23 point win over a flat Woomelang Lascelles was a great win for a club whose last victory was way back in April. The Lakers were switched on from the first bounce, they ran hard and put lots of pressure on the Cats who just could not respond when it really mattered.
‘This was a really pleasing win,’ said Laker coach Luke Werner. ‘I have stressed to the players the importance of finishing the season off well and they responded today with a great result.’
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, Jeparit Rainbow started well and built up a handy three goal lead at the first break. They took their positive start with them into the second term and although outscored, the Lakers managed to hold onto a thirteen point lead at half time after Nathan Cocks kicked his second goal and Jeparit Rainbow’s seventh just before half time.
In the second quarter Jeparit Rainbow defended well and their tackling was fierce. Aaron Beer returned to the team after missing last week and dominated at centre half back. Beer not only defended well, but he also gave his team lots of run out of defence setting up play really well by hand or by foot.
Full back Tyler Edelsten was another defender to play well and Brett Jensz also was solid in defence.
Jeparit Rainbow dominated in the third quarter holding the Cats goalless and kicking six themselves. Ash Clugston ran hard and Sean Bayzand not only won lots of the ball, but he used it very well. Both of these key Laker playmakers kicked goals when they rested up forward ending up with two each.
Bayzand roved to well to Chilver’s hit outs and it was this combination that was partly responsible for the Lakers moving the ball so well going forward into attack. This was a great improvement on their form week when they were mauled by the Roos. Andrew Watson playing up forward this week was dangerous all day and he was one forward to benefit from his side’s accurate short passes into the forward line.
With the game well in their keeping, Jeparit Rainbow did not have to do a lot in the final quarter. In fact Woomelang Lascelles did not threaten to get close to Jeparit Rainbow’s score and a couple of late goals to the Cats made the final result appear closer than the play suggested.
HOPETOUN V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
In a remarkable turnaround Hopetoun brought their best game to the football this week to comfortably defeat Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. This is the third time this season that the Devils have accounted for the Tigers.
Who would have thought that they could win so well given recent form and they were without star Kane Robins. Last week Hopeotun could not handle bottom placed Woomelang Lascelles and this week they were up against a confident Tiger side that had won four of their last five games including a very good win against an inform Ouyen United side last week at Berriwillock.
The game was even in the first term and although Hopetoun had more opportunities, accurate kicking by the Tigers meant that they took a nine point lead into the first break. From then on it was all one way traffic as the Devils kicked thirteen goals to five in the next three quarters.
Kain Robins’ late withdrawal was a blow for Hopetoun, but they were strengthened by the inclusions of Deek Roberts, Coleman Schache and Jackson Fisher. These three were able to provide the penetrating run that the Devils have lacked in previous weeks.
Simon Cook was great once again on Jarrod Arentz keeping him to four goals. Cook has beaten Arentz the three times that these sides have met this season. He has the wood over the Tiger coach. In fact, the Hopetoun side has the wood over Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, they have won all three encounters in 2012.
Anthony Baker was superb in the midfield for the Devils and had his best game of the season. Baker relies on his strength and skill around clearances to get in and attack the ball and he was regularly dishing it out to team mates as the Devils did well in and around the centre clearances.
With Robins out, Hopetoun had to rely on Bryce Wellington up forward and he continues to kick big hauls for his side including seven against the Tigers. Hopetoun need Wellington to fire and when he plays well, the whole team lifts. Not only did he score gaols, but they had another ace up forward in Luke Milroy made the most of his opportunities to finish with four goals.
After the first quarter Hopetoun had winners all over the ground. Quentin Willmott toiled hard in the ruck while Luke Carr and Liam Price continued their solid form on the ball and around the ground.
Maybe Hoeptoun can settle in to some consistently good form for the rest of the season. They are going to have to soon with finals just around the corner. For Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, it seems like they are going to have to attack the premiership from third or fourth position without the double chance.
BEULAH V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
In a tight and entertaining tussle at Beulah, Walpeup Underbool eventually came away with the four points at Beulah to consolidate their position on top of the MFL ladder.
There was nothing much in this game all day and after a tight ten minutes of play in the final quarter Walpeup Underbool goaled to stretch their lead to two and a half goals. When Beulah replied, they were to be the final two goals for the match. With the home crowd cheering for a come-from-behind victory, the Roos were just able to hold onto their slim lead and gain a hard earned win.
Kicking with the breeze, Beulah began the game well. Steph Saunders was giving them drive out of the centre and Walpeup Underbool were ruing costly turn overs that resulted in the Blues taking a two goal lead into the first break.
The talented Jarred Coombe was dangerous early for Beulah. Playing on a wing, Combe not set up goals for his forwards, he was also able to score one himself as the Blues took an early lead.
David Piasente was working hard for the Roos, steering the ball forward as the Roos looked to score against the breeze
The Roos began the second quarter well as they worked hard trying to bridge the gap. Beulah looked dangerous when they ran out wide, switching the ball from the backline into the corridor as the shortest way home.
Gaining some drive out of the centre where Josh Stone was playing his best game for the year, Walpeup Underbool started to take control of the game. Stone was running hard and giving the Roo forwards plenty of opportunities. Matt Palmer was able to take advantage of Stone’s dominance and he broke clear and scored two critical goals lifting the whole Walpeup Underbool side.
Beulah were not out of it. Both teams were applying great pressure and as the game tightened up, it turned into a real arm wrestle for supremacy. When the Roos finished the half scoring back to back goals they had got back to be within a kick of the Blues at the main break.
It was probably in the third term that Walpeup Underbool won the game. They needed to work hard against the breeze and were able to do so outscoring the Blues by four goals to two.
David King was one Blue who was on top in the Beulah forward half. King kicked four goals for the day, his final goal coming in the third term to at least keep his side in touch with the opposition.
Roo Chris Chubb was a live wire all over the ground. Chubb seemed to revel in the tight contest marking strongly and winning plenty of contested possessions. He was one player who was not going to slacken off in a tight last quarter made all the more enthralling as it was evident that both teams were desperate for the win and were not going to give in without a fight.
Both teams can take plenty of positives from this game. Beulah now know that they can match it with the ladder leaders and Walpeup Underbool are getting back to some of their best early season form.
Last Modified on 29/07/2012 13:41
