Charlton v St Arnaud
Charltoncontinued theirbrilliant starts to their games when they posted 7-4 in the first quarter against St Arnaud who could only manage three points. It was all the Navy Blues with McGrath and McKee being the focal points in front of goal, McKenzie was giving the Navies first use of the ball and their mid-field pushed the ball forward at every opportunity resulting in them having a 43-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Charlton backline continued on their form from the previous week and turned all St Arnaud’s forward moves back into their attacking zone, the Saints could only manage three points for the quarter.
St Arnaud staged a mini revival in the second term to reduce the first quarter margin back to 34-points by half time, inaccurate kicking was not doing the Saints any favours when they kicked 3-8 for the term. If they could have converted their scoring opportunities in this quarter the margin at the main break would have seen the Saints in a very handy position and possibly in front, but it was not to be. McKenzie continued his good form and was well supported by Thompson, Thiesz and Judd. The Saints had good players in McNamee, Tillig and Batters.
After the break it was the Navy Blues who regained their form of the first half the best and were quick to push their lead out further, Clifford, Judd and Walklate set up many opportunities for the home side. Late in the quarter the Saints rallied with Liam Cunningham being their main scoring contributor and deep into the term the Saints had put themselves right back in to the contest, but needed to continue with the positive attitude for the remainder of the game and at the last change they trailed by only 28-points, the margin they felt was within reach of overtaking the Navy Blues.
In the last quarter Coghlan, McNamee and Co set the saints on fire as they narrowed the gap on the undefeated Navy Blues. Charlton were able to steady the ship when they responded with goals to McGrath and Winsall which slowed the Saints momentum.
Charlton were inaccurate in front of goal in the last term, which could have been costly as the Saints pushed to reduce the lead of the Navy Blues. At the final bell, the home side had kept their winning run in tact and now shoot three games clear at the top of the ladder, as for the Saints they now drop back into the pack, which is getting congested, vying for one of the precious finals four spots.
Charlton 15-17=107 def St Arnaud 12-13 = 85
Best for Charlton: A. McKenzie, R. Thompson, D. Thiesz, A. Judd, J. McKee, B. Walklate.
Goals: J. McGrath 4, J. McKee 3, K. Clifford, A. Judd 2, B. Roberts, M. Winsall, S. Lawry, M. Laffin 1 each.
Best for St Arnaud: J. McNamee, N. Coghlan, J. Tillig, J. Chapman, D. Munkara, B. Batters.
Goals: Liam Cunningham 4, J. McNamee 2, J.Tillig, R. Tungatalum, D. Munkara, N. Coghlan, B. Ezard, R. Grigg 1 each.
Donald v Birchip-Watchem
Donald got away to a good start in their game against Birchip-Watchem, kicking five first quarter goals. The Bulls were restricted to just the two goals in the opening term, this equalling their goal tally of the previous round. Donald was not showing any mercy on the Bulls team as they continually pushed the ball deep into their attacking zone, Grant and Harrison were in good form early which led to the Royal Blues going to the first break 19-point ahead of the Bulls.
In this quarter things didn’t get any better for the Bulls as they were held goalless as they were a week earlier against Charlton. The Donald backline led by veteran Ross Funcke was not letting anything past their half back line rebounding any attempts from the Bulls to register a score; the Bulls scoring tally for the quarter would only be two-points and at half time they trailed the home side by 41-points and a repeat of their previous game was well on the cards.
The third term didn’t offer many scoring opportunities for either side as the game became scrappy and both backlines defending the opposition’s forward moves. Birchip-Watchem managed to register their first goal since early in the opening term when Steve Anderson broke clear and kicked truly. Donald was able to kick a couple of late goals and extend their lead out to 50-points at full time of the third quarter. Wood, Bell and Funcke were the main contributors for Donald and for the Bulls Taylor, Holmes and Postlewaite were performing well but their efforts certainly needed some support from the rest of the team.
Coach Lachy Foott must have hit a couple of nerves at the three quarter huddle as the Bulls were first to attack and quickly brought up two goals. The Royals through Ades responded with one of their three final term goals. Birchip-Watchem played their best football in the last quarter and outscored the home side but the damage had been done in the opening three terms by the Donald side and at the final bell the Royals would record their second win by 47-points while the Bulls are still to open their account, something they will be hoping to do in the coming weeks.
Final scores; Donald 13-18=96 def Birchip-Watchem 7-7=49
Best for Donald: R. Funcke, Darcy & Darby Harrison, M. Clifford, S. Wood and Tom Bell.
Goals: L. Anderson, B. Grant, Darcy Harrison 3, D. Ades 2, M. Clifford and Darby Harrison 1 each.
Best for the Bulls: Cam Taylor, Z. Holmes, Steve Anderson, J. Noonan, C. Postlewaite, Liam O’Donnell. Goals: Steve Anderson, L. Foott 2, A. Grigg, Z. Holmes and A. Rout 1 each.
Wedderburn v Boort
Wedderburn bounced back onto the winner’s list with a comfortable win at Donaldson Park over Boort. In a low scoring opening term the Redbacks were able to hold the Magpies to just 5-points for the quarter and registered 2-4 to hold an 11-point lead at quarter time and that would be as close as the Magpies would get to the Redbacks who appear to have regained some form from 2012.
An eight goal second quarter by the Redbacks set up a 56-point lead for the home side at half way. Boort were unable to match it with Wedderburn as they slammed on goal after goal with Barnes in superb form kick four goals for the term. At the other end Herdman who was playing at centre half back was not letting anything past him, which dried up the Magpies scoring opportunities.
Wedderburn continued on their winning way in the third term and were well in control and had winners all over the ground. Boort was being well served by Aaron Wilson, Sam Dehne and Matt Hodoras, these three players were the only shinning lights for the magpies and without them the margin of 66-points the Redbacks held at the last change could have been greater.
Both sides would manage to score four goals in the final term, Boort put their best football together in the last term. Easy set shots at goals for the Boort side was let down by bad kicking and the same applied to a lesser degree with Wedderburn, between them there points tally reached 34 with a lot of those being gettable goals. Wedderburn run the game right out and it was pleasing for their supporters to see them finally show some of the form that has won them the last two premierships. The Redbacks will need to continue to produce this style of play if they are going to be a strong finals contender allowing them the chance to defend their premiership titles of the past two years. Boort will regroup for their match against the Demons after the Inter-League.
Final scores: Wedderburn 18-18=126 def Boort 7-16=58
Best for Wedderburn: Sam Barnes, Mark Reiffel, Danny Benaim, Cam Perry, Brett Strange, Robbie Tonkin. Goals: Sam Barnes 7, Robbie Tonkin, Mark Reiffel, Jack McNamara 2, Daniel Gash, Liam McCarthy, Cam Perry, Jake Hayes, Ben DeAraugo 1 each.
Best for Boort: Matt Hodoras, Aaron Wilson, Sam Dehne, J. Dehne, R. Easton, P. Manser.
Goals: Sam Dehne 2, Dale Cameron, Matt Hodoras, Aaron Wilson, Pete Manser, Jack Dehne 1 each.
Next Week is Inter-League
North Central v Geelong and district at North Geelong
Round 7 matches
Boort v Wycheproof-Narraport
Birchip-Watchem v Wedderburn
St Arnaud v Donald
Charlton has the bye.
Last Modified on 19/05/2013 21:58