Birchip-Watchem v Wycheproof-Narraport
With second place on the North Central Football League ladder up for grabs, both the Bulls and Demons had plenty to play for. Birchip-Watchem was the first side to get on the scoreboard and never looked back from that point onwards. The Bulls with Hallam and Messer in top form were causing the Demons plenty of problems which they were unable to stop. Leading by 28-points at the end of the first quarter the home side was looking the goods and the Demons had some serious thinking to do at the first break.
Wycheproof-Narraport was able reverse the roles of the two teams in the second quarter as they got their game together. Borthwick and the Bulls Hallam were having a great duel in the middle with both gathering many possessions. The Demons were able to reduce the Bulls lead back to near even late in the quarter but the Bulls managed to kick two late goals that would give them the edge and a 14-point lead at the main break. Wycheproof-Narraport had done enough in this quarter to signal that they were not going to hand up that second spot without a fight and the Bulls brains trust were well aware of the Demons capabilities.
In the third term the home side was again able get the scoreboard ticking over with Messer again proving to be a hand full for the Demons backmen kicking three goals for the term and having a part in a couple of others. Jones, Borthwick and Coatsworth were working overtime to keep the Bulls lead back to a manageable level, but was only able to kick the one goal for the quarter and this would mean they would be going to the last break trailing by 44-points and the double chance was slipping away from them.
The last term became a bit of a stalemate with neither side worrying the scorers although the Bulls were keeping the minor score tallying up with goals hard to come by. The Demons only added two goals for the term and held the Bulls to the one goal, but he Bulls first three quarters had earned them the right to claim the double chance and send the Demons to next week’s first semi against St Arnaud.
Final scores Birchip-Watchem 14-14=98 defeated Wycheproof-Narraport 8-10=58
Best for the Bulls: A. Hutchins, C. Hallam, Z. Holmes, B. Hall, P. Messer and J. Tyler. Goals: P. Messer 6, L. Foott 3, J. Hogan 2, T. Walder, M. Smith and J. Tyler 1 each.
Best for the Demons: L. Borthwick, C. Jones, Josh White, J. Coatsworth, B. Brennan, and Jake White. Goals: C. Jones, G. Turner, M. Dillon 2, J. Bish and J. Coatsworth 1.
St Arnaud v Donald
Donald led this game for all but two minutes of the game and looked like causing a minor upset. The Royals were taking some good winning form into this game, which had so much riding on it for the Saints, who were looking to overtake Charlton for the remaining spot for finals action in 2012. With an injury to Saints player Brad Organ, which requiring him to be stretchered off, holding up play for a few minutes, it took the Saints every bit of the 43 minutes of the last quarter to hit the front for the first time for the day. Donald held a twelve point lead at the first change and was looking good. Funcke was solid down back and turned many Saints forward moves back to where they came from. The form of Donald was causing the Saints plenty of pain, as the Royals controlled the game on all points.
Continuing on from where they left off in the first term Donald managed to extend their lead out to 27-points by the main break. St Arnaud was not able to bridge the gap at any point and were held to just the two goals for the quarter. Jennings and Funcke were the main problems for the Saints and their work rate was flowing through to their teammates who also lifted their level of involvement to the point where the Saints could not match them.
It would make or break for the Saints in this quarter, but once again the Royals were denying their opposition any free moves. Bell turned up the heat in his centre position and drove the ball into the forward line with plenty of authority but some poor kicking up forward was letting his good work down and could have sealed the game for the Royals. St Arnaud had reduced the Royals lead back by 1-point at three quarter time, but was not playing well enough to overtake the visitors.
With 30 minutes of season 2012 to go for the Royals and the same time for the Saints, unless they could recap some form, which had only appeared on rare occasions throughout the day their season would also be drawing to a close. Funcke who had been brilliant for the Donald side, unfortunately had to leave the field with an injury that would not see him return for the day. The departure of Funcke appeared to free up the Saints forwards and they made a late charge to get on top of the Royals but they were still finding it hard to break the Donald backmen control of the game. Saints forward Brad Organ went down with a shoulder injury mid-term and loss of their teammate, who had been good for the Saints appeared lift the Saints and it was not long before they had reduced the Royals lead back to under a goal as time looked to be running out for them. With the term going an estimated 43 minutes it would take the Saints all of that time to hit the front and advance through to their first finals since 2007.
Final Scores St Arnaud 10-13=73 def Donald 9-14=68
Best for St Arnaud: K. Flanagan, S. Motlop, J. McNamee, Baldwin, S. Dyke and Brad Organ. Goals: N. Coglan 4, B. Organ 3, K. Flanagan, J. McNamee and J. James 1 each.
Best for Donald: R. Funcke, B. Jennings, A. Grant, T. Bell, H. Maatman and R. Harberger. Goals: J. Burke, D. Harrison, B. Grant 2, E. Guthrie, R. Harberger and D. Pearce 1 each.
Boort v Wedderburn
This game was the only match which didn’t have anything riding on it Wedderburn on top of the ladder and Boort on the bottom. Wedderburn needed to run this game right out as this was their last hit out before they start their finals campaign. Boort went into this game with some depleted numbers with players from the reserves game doubling up into the senior match as well. Wedderburn was always in control all over the ground with Strange leading off from the centre bounces with a fine display of ruckwork. Wedderburn received a bit of a scare went Brady Herdman left the ground with what appeared to be a leg injury and he would not return for the day. Barnes was in top form at full forward and finished the day with 11-goals to bring his seasons tally to ninety and with a minimum of two games to go is a good chance to bring up his hundred goals during the finals series. Easton was the Magpies leading player as he tried in vain to keep the Redbacks scoring to a minimum but lacked support from his younger teammates. Wedderburn led at every change, leading by 23, 68, and 105 and by games end 118-points. Boort played out their last quarter for 2012 as best they could and they wasted many scoring opportunities kicking 1-9 for their last term. Jarrod Fitzpatrick was best for the Magpies and he and Rick Easton and Jackson Garvey Hawke could hold their heads high as their performances on the day would have given all of them a pass mark, against a pretty handy opposition.
Final scores Wedderburn 22-17=149 def Boort 3-13=31
Best for Wedderburn: S. Barnes, C. Taylor, B. Strange, B. DeAraugo, D. Gash, C. Perry and B. Rose. Goals; S. Barnes 11, B. Rose 4, S. Terhell 3, N. Holt and Perry 2 each.
Best for Boort: J. Fitzpatrick, R. Easton, M. Rice, J. Garvey-Hawke, J. Rieniets and A. Jackson. Goals: R. Easton 2, C. Hosking 1.
Next Week’s 1st semi-final at BIRCHIP
Under 13’s 9.45 am, Donald v St Arnaud
Under 16’s 11.10 am, St Arnaud v Boort
Reserves 12. 45 am Donald v Boort
Seniors 2.30 pm Wycheproof-Narraport v St Arnaud
Last Modified on 27/08/2012 09:17