Wycheproof-Narraport v Charlton
As in previous weeks the Navy Blues raced out to a handy lead early in the opening term. Ben Walklate led the way as the visitors took a first quarter lead of 13-points to the first break. Charlton went into this game with a couple of their key players missing through injury, Coach Reece Collins and Aaron Walklate both being sidelined for this match against the Demons.
In the second term neither side was able to gain any advantage, this quarter had plenty of pressure on both teams backlines and scoring opportunities were limited with both sides kicking three goals and at the half time break only 12-points separated them. Walklate and Dillon were staging a great battle in the mid-field with both gaining many possessions. Shawn Lawry and Carl Thiesz were also featuring well for the Navy Blues while for the Demons, Ricky Allan and Boe Bish were putting solid performances.
Charlton were keen to put a bit of space between themselves and the Demons and this was evident early in the quarter as they slammed on early goals. Wycheproof-Narraport was having difficulty in holding the Navies forwards and at the other end their forwards scoring opportunities dried up as they could only manage two points for the term. Charlton went on to kick 5-2 for the quarter and at the last change held a comfortable 42-point lead, mainly due to a complete team effort that had many positional winners to this point.
The Demons set about reducing the deficit with early goals to Jones and Lourey to reduce the margin back to 30-points before Charlton responded with a goal, which would be their only major for the term. Late in the term the Demons brought up both flags but time was running out and this seemed to fire the Navies back into action to defend their lead and at the final bell they were able to keep their winning form in tact with a 30-point win over the Demons who have only greeted the judge on one occasion out of their three starts.
Final Scores: Charlton 14-6=90 def Wycheproof-Narraport 9-6=60
Best for Charlton: C. Thiesz, R. Thompson, B. Walklate, K. Sait, A. Judd and Joe McGrath.
Goals: S. Lawry 3, B. Walklate, B. Roberts, A. Judd, S. Rogan 2, R. Thompson, J. McKee, C. Thiesz 1 each.
Best for the Demons: M. Dillon, R. Allan, Josh White, Boe Bish, Brock Bish and J. Coatsworth.
Goals: C. Jones 3, D. Lourey 2, M. Dillon, R. Allan, K. Prestidge and J. Coatsworth.
Wedderburn v Donald
Donald won the toss and elected to kick with a fairly strong wind and they took full advantage of the assistance as they proceeded to set up a good lead by the first break. Donald was able to achieve their lead mainly due to all players being very committed to the cause and by siren time they had kicked out to a 37-point lead and had held the Redbacks goalless with only 2-points being credited to their score tally.
The second term seen the Redbacks attempt to cut back the lead which the Royals had set up in the opening quarter Herdman and Reiffel posted goals for the home side and it looked like the Redbacks may achieve their aim but the Donald side which was combining well together answered with goals to Clifford and Hogan to shut down the Redbacks run. By the half time break Wedderburn had reduced the Royals quarter time lead back from 39-points to 24-points. Even at this early stage an upset was looking well on the cards as the visitors were teaming well together and at every contest there was a good show of numbers prepared to do the hard yards to protect their lead and their confidence was growing as they won many contested contests and were looking the better team.
With a four goal deficit from the first half’s play and an opposition team full of running, plus the Donald side kicking with that strong wind, the Redbacks were hoping that they could defend this quarter well enough to be in reach of the Royals at the last change. Wedderburn was able hold the Donald side fairly well for most of the third quarter but two late goals gave the visitors a 28-point lead with one term to go.
With an upset win looking well placed for the Donald team, they went full on to achieve their first win for the season as they outscored the Redbacks while kicking into the wind in this last quarter.
Wedderburn kicked goals early to Herdman and Brad Holt and to this point there was a slim chance they may pull of a comeback and grab the points, but this was short lived as Burke and Hogan answered the Redbacks goals in quick succession. By siren time it was the Royals who would be singing the song as they had toppled the premiers of the last two seasons by 36-points and opens their account for premiership points. Wedderburn now has the Bye and there will need to be a strong turn around in their form in the coming weeks otherwise defending their title will become a little harder if they are not able to produce some better form.
Final Scores: Donald 16-14=110 def Wedderburn 11-8=74
Best for Donald: T. Bell, S. Wood, L. Anderson, D. Ades, A. Grant, B. Jennings.
Goals: J. Hogan 4, L. Anderson 3, J. Burke, M. Clifford, D. Harrison 2, A. Wright, A. Baird, R. Maatman 1 each.
Best for Wedderburn: B. Herdman, D. Benaim, H. Polglase, A. Brett, R. Tonkin, A. Postle.
Goals: B. Herdman 3, M. Reiffel, D. Benaim 2, S. Johnston, B. Rose, S. Barnes, B. Holt 1 each.
Boort v St Arnaud
St Arnaud went into their contest against Boort less three key players to their team, but still felt confident of coming away with the points and after three quarters look to have a fair chance of collecting their second win. After an even first quarter the Saints held a one goal lead at the end of the first terms play. Boort had done nothing wrong in the opener and it was only the Saints late goal that separated the two sides.
Goals for both sides were hard to come by in the second quarter where between them only three goals were scored, two to St Arnaud and one to the Magpies and at the long break the Saints lead had extended to fourteen points. The Saints were being well served to this point by Baldwin, Batters and Cunningham, for the Magpies it was Sam Dehne, M. Henningson and Ryan McGhie being their main contributors.
St Arnaud extended their lead early in the third term before Boort struck back with goals to Taylor and Manser to see them trail by 13-points at the last change and the game was in the balance.
Boort opened the quarter’s scoring when Taylor again brought up both flags and it was game on, Boort attacked the goals again and Manser goaled to square the ledger. From this point on it was all the Magpies as the Saints appeared unable to stop the run of the home side. Boort added five goals for the term and held St Arnaud to just two scoring shots resulting in 1 goal 1 point for the quarter. The Magpies who had trailed for the first three terms had saved up for one last fling in the final term and this rewarded them with their second win for the year and their winning run stays intact as they run out winners by 16-points, equalling their wins for last season in their opening two games, this will certainly lift the spirits of all Magpies supporters.
Final Scores: Boort 10-13=73 def St Arnaud 8-9=57
Best for Boort: Sam Dehne, R. McGhie, B. McDonald, M. Henningson, S. Taylor, R. Crapper.
Goals: S. Taylor 4, P. Manser 2, D. Cameron, R. Easton, M. Hodoras, J. Kane 1 each.
Best for St Arnaud: N. Baldwin, S. dyke, J. Chapman, Z. Sullivan, B. Batters, Lachlan Cunningham.
Goals: Liam Cunningham 4, Z. Sullivan, N. Coughlan, A. McIntyre, J. McNamee 1 each.
Next Week’s Matches
Charlton v Boort
Donald v Wycheproof-Narraport
St Arnaud v Birchip-Watchem
Wedderburn has the Bye
Last Modified on 29/04/2013 13:50