by Jim Gordon
Jeparit Rainbow v Beulah
Beulah were far too accomplished for an undermanned Jeparit Rainbow and ran out easy winners in conditions perfect for football at Jeparit. The Blues’ ball movement, their team work and pace were outstanding. The Lakers tried hard to make a contest of the mismatch, but they lacked the firepower to keep up with their near neighbours.
In an indication of their total dominance, Beulah had 14 goal scorers on the day and held the hapless Lakers to one goal after half time and scoreless in the final term.
This was a dismal day for Jeparit Rainbow supporters as they suffered one of their worst defeats since the amalgamation. They went into the game very much under strength missing seven regular senior players due to injury or unavailability.
To make matters even worse their only dangerous forward Ben Zanker suffered a leg injury in the second quarter and defender Adam Schumann was injured in the first minute of the second half. This meant that the Lakers had only one interchange player for half the game.
In such a dominant display, it is difficult to name Beulah’s best players without offending someone. Shaun Monohan was given the award as the Blues’ best, Denis Redden was outstanding up forward and Micah Buchanan who is having a great season, kicked four goals.
For the losers, the indomitable Heath Clugston once again led the way. Clugston tried very hard to lift the team and his younger brother Tom playing across the centre line got better the further the game went. Chris Meyer tried hard in the midfield even if his disposal let him down at times, Adam Schultz, Tyler Edelsten and Andrew Watson battled hard in the backline.
Laker youngster Riley Launer played his first senior game. Launer kicked one goal showing promise for the future.
Jeparit Rainbow was in the contest at times, but their players didn’t work hard enough or long enough to make a statement. Next week the Lakers face the Cats at home while the Blues have a mouth watering clash against the Roos at Beulah.
Walpeup Underbool v Hopetoun
Whilst it may seem impossible to put a positive spin on an eight goal loss, for the Hopetoun faithful, there was much to like in this defeat to a very strong and talented Walpeup Underbool side.
In reality the Roos had the game all sewn up at quarter time after a nine goal opening, yet Hopetoun kept pushing all day even though the game was out of reach. The Devils outscored the home side in the second term and kept up with their superiors for the rest of the day.
Both teams were on top at different times during this game, but it was Walpeup Underbool who made the most of their opportunities when they arrived and ended up as deserved winners.
A fast start by the Roos made it look like it was going to be another miserable day for the Devils. Walpeup Underbool were moving the ball quickly through the midfield to their forwards where Wade Champion was marking strongly and converting, booting four goals in the opening term and ending with nine for the day. Kyle Munro was another dangerous forward for the Roos, also scoring four first quarter goals. At this stage of the game it was all one way traffic. The Roo backline was on top and they were able to run the ball out of defence with ease.
However, the Devils were able to regroup and outscored the Roos by four goals to three in the second term. Luke Carr is in very good form at full forward, he provides great contests and is a focal point for the Devils. In this quarter Carr was often able to break free and give his side a strong marking target.
It looked like it was going to be a continuation of the first quarter route when the Roos were able to score the first goal in the second term to stretch their lead. But this was precisely when Hopetoun dug deep, they held their nerve and were able to get back into the contest on the ground, if not on the scoreboard. Hopetoun was applying plenty of pressure and causing the Roos to make skill errors and turn the ball over, something that they did not do in the first term.
Zac Robins is in great form on the wing and at half back after a slow start to the season. Ben Reid has been a welcome addition in recent weeks and provides a presence at half forward and Cade Wellington battles hard every week.
After Champion’s great opening to the game, Quentin Willmott tightened up and battled hard and was able to curb Champion’s influence to a certain extent.
Walpeup Underbool got back to something resembling their best form in the third term when they scored six goals and held the Devils to three. Ben Fisher was on top around the centre and Kane Munro continued to play well. These two talented players have the ability to lift their team mates.
It looks like Hopetoun will be without Simon Cook for a few weeks with a knee injury just when the Devils are slowly finding their feet. It has been a tough start to their season, but the Devils have hung in there and are slowly putting more game time of good football together and rewards for their efforts may be just around the corner.
Ouyen United v Woomelang Lascelles
In bright sunny conditions at Blackburn Park with little or no breeze, Woomelang Lascelles won the battle for fourth spot on the MFL ladder. The Cats have climbed into the top four after a well earned 45 point victory over Ouyen United. This game rarely reached great heights and was indicative of a match up between the fourth and fifth teams.
There were flashes of individual brilliance and some enthralling one on one duels, but United were never really in the contest. The closeness of the scores in the first half made the game entertaining for the supporters and there was only three goals in it at the main break. However, errant kicks, spilled marks and poor decision making lowered the standard of play.
Nevertheless, the Cats came out of the game with a lot about which to be positive. Joel Donnan held Damien Cupido. Donnan looked like he was a man on a mission and stood toe to toe with the Demon ace. It was clear right from the start that Donnan was not about to be out muscled, out ran or out foxed by his wily opponent and Cupido’s two goal haul was an indication of Donnan’s great defence.
Yet it was Corey Kelly who was the best for the Cats on a day when they had many good contributors. Kelly stood out with his tireless work from the centre line to full forward. His eight goals came from snaps around his body, from chest marks when too often he was allowed out on his own and from a free kick or two as a result of his relentless desire to be first to the ball.
Another valuable forward was Josh Ratcliffe who provided a high marking foil to Kelly’s work closer to the ground. Ratcliff finished with five goals in a very good forward display.
In the ruck the in form Mark Charleson tested himself against the talented Laurence Angwin. Whilst Angwin was the winner in the tap out contest and did a lot of work for the Demons around the centre and up forward, Charleson kept at his task all day and worked equally hard for the Cats.
Individual pieces of play kept the crowd on their toes. Kale Baker’s clever right foot snap delivered United their opening goal of the day while Kelly was lively early around the Woomelang Lascelle’s forward 50m arc. He finished the quarter with four goals and could easily have had another, but the Cats let a golden opportunity slip after very good play from Trent Donnan, Brent Wiseman, Rohan Coburn left Kelly on his own running into goal. Kelly’s effort to involve another team mate in the play let the ball slip out of the Cats’ clutches and United were able to run the ball out of defence.
At the 20 minute mark of the opening term Ouyen United hit the front with a clever goal from the talented Henry Armour after good play from Jordan Manley and Kale Barker. Manley was involved in several good passages of play in the opening quarter for one goal from a free kick, a point that should have been a goal after a good mark and he helped United to the goal that put them ahead - briefly.
Three late goals by the Cats wrested back the lead for Woomelang Lascelles and they took a 16 point lead into the first break. The first of the three was from Josh Ratcliffe who marked and goaled from half forward, Kelly cleverly roved a pack and snapped accurately for the second and then followed up with another mark and another goal from close in.
After a fast paced opening term with plenty of scoring from both sides, as the game progressed, it became tighter and although the Cats continued to score, United stopped to a walk. Both defences worked hard all day and for the winners, most of their players all over the ground contributed in some capacity which is a great sign for a side on the improve.
For the losers, they sorely missed the run and skills of the players who were out this game and will improve with a full line up. Ouyen United has the bye next week before they take on the winless Hopetoun away and a chance to get back on the winning list.
Last Modified on 09/06/2013 16:53
