Donald v Wedderburn
Top side Wedderburn, were keen to stamp their authority on their game against Donald as early as they could. Herdman kicked the first of the Redbacks seven goals for the quarter when he slotted through the first goal at the two minute mark.
Barnes got amongst the goals early and finished the term with four goals. Wedderburn were dominating the game and late in the quarter Blake Grant broke through for two goals for the Royals. At the first change the Redbacks held a commanding lead, 44-points to 15-points.
Kicking with the aid of the wind, Wedderburn could not capitalise and were held to four goals, while the Royals could only raise the double flags on one occasion. Wedderburn’s key forwards were not able to continue their free flow play and goal kicking, that was available in the opening term, the Royals had done a good job of holding out the visitors and were unlucky on many occasions not to be closer than the final margin at half time, where the Redbacks were held to some degree, but the Royals were not able to reduce the margin of the Redbacks who would take a 59-point win to half time.
In the third quarter, Donald turned in their best quarter of the day kicking five majors for the quarter, but the Redbacks still advanced their lead and by the end on the term the visitors held a 109 to 55 point lead.
Donald were hoping to continue their good form of the third quarter, but they would be denied with Barnes kicking five last quarter goals and holding the Royal Blues to just two goals. Wedderburn run out big winners and some were asking if the Mercy Rule applied to the Senior grade, the Redbacks finished off a good day and run out winners by 110-points, with Barnes kicking thirteen goals for the Redbacks.
Best for Wedderburn: Sam Barnes, Brett Strange, Jacob DeAraugo, Jake Hayes, Cam Perry and Brady Herdman. Goals: S. Barnes 13, B. Herdman 4, D. Benaim, B. Rose 2, L. Freeman, C. Perry, C. Taylor, B. DeAraugo and R. Tonkin 1 each.
Donald’s Best: D. Pearce, B. Grant, R. Maatman, T. Bell, G. Beckham and James Burke. Goals: J. Burke, B. Grant 3, G. Beckham 2, N. Dunstan and R. Maatman 1 each.
Birchip-Watchem v Boort
With plenty riding on this match for the Bulls they were keen to come out with a positive result. In the opening term they frequently moved the ball into the forward line and were rewarded with four majors and held the Magpies to two. At the end of the first quarter the home side held a twelve point lead.
In the second quarter with the assistance of slight breeze the Bulls were able to take full advantage and started to put a gap between themselves and the Magpies, Foott and Smith got amongst the goals and at the main break the Bulls lead had extended out to 33 points.
With a finals berth up for grabs the Bulls were not going to let the Magpies back into the game and keep their chance of playing finals alive. Holmes was leading from the front and combining well with Carland and Hutchins and at the last break their good work had allowed the Bulls to put a bigger lead over the Boort side and at three quarter time they would hold a 42- point lead, a good platform to take into the final quarter.
Boort rallied early in the last term to try and pull back the home sides lead but on each occasion the Bulls were able to answer and would run out winners by 43-points. Garvey-Hawke and Rice were doing their bit for the Magpies but their opposition who had combined well all day were sensing finals action and were not going to let that chance slip. This win now gives the Bulls a slight edge over their next opponent in the Saints, and a win next week would reward them with a finals berth.
Best for the Bulls: A. Hutchins, Z. Holmes, T Carland, M. Smyth, C. Postlewaite and T. Walder. Goals L. Foott 4, M. Smith 3, J. Tyler, C. Postlewaite 2, the rest were all singles.
Best for Boort: J. Garvey-Hawke, M. Rice, R. Easton, C. Hatcher, L. Van Schaik, D. Johnston. Goals: D. Stewart 2 the rest was all single goal kickers.
Wycheproof v Charlton
Wyche-Narraport kicked of the scoring in the opening term with Dillon bringing up both flags within a minute of the game starting. Charlton answered through James McGrath and the score change many times in this quarter. At the first break the Demons held a slender 5-point lead over the Navy Blues.
Charlton took advantage of some wind assistance in the second quarter and slammed on four goals and were able to restrict the Demons to just two second quarter goals. At the main break the Navy Blues had taken an 8-point lead, with McGrath being on target up forward. Dillon and Jones were amongst the best for the Demons in a game which kept the large crowd involved.
The third term would prove to be vital for both sides but the visitors were able to take their advantage a bit further as they took a 23-point lead to the final break. Charlton were desperate to keep their finals position in check and were playing real desperate football.
In the last quarter the home side gave their all to reduce the lead of the Navy Blues, this they were able to do but could not head them and at full time the fell 15-points short. This win now puts the Demons and Charlton on equal points with only percentage favouring the Demons as they retain second spot on the Ladder.
Best for Charlton, A. Judd, James McGrath, J. McLean, L. Mulquiny, L. Kyriakides, A. McKenzie. Goals: James McGrath 7, Joe McGrath 2, the rest were all single goal kickers.
Best for the Demons: B. Bish, Josh White, Jake White, C. Jones, James Coatsworth and Matt Dillon. Goals: M. Dillon 3 C. Jones, L. Borthwick, K. Prestidge 2 with the rest being singles.
Next Week
Boort v Wycheproof
St Arnaud v Birchip- Watchem
Charlton v Donald
Wedderburn Bye
Last Modified on 06/08/2012 12:41