Charlton v Wycheproof-Narraport
Charlton and the Demons both struggled to have the scorers working overtime in the opening quarter as they could only manage three goals between them. Wycheproof-Narrapport got the better of the score with a four-point lead at the quarter time break in what was a very fast and furious first term with all players committed to the cause. As in recent weeks the Demons were being well served by Corey Jones who gained many possessions, Sam Driscoll was solid and gained good support from Boe Bish and Tom Keane. The Navy Blues were gaining plenty of drive from Ben Walklate and Rhys Thompson who has been in good form over the past few weeks.
Charlton struck back in the second quarter aided by the use of a slight breeze, both sides were inaccurate as easy shots missed the targets. In what was another tight term for both sides Charlton would go to the half time break with a lead of one-goal. While the contests were fierce there were no real polished performances coming from either side and some adjustments needed to happen over the long break.
Low scoring again in the third term as the battle continued with only three-goals being scored from these two very good teams, which gave a strong indication of how hard a contest it was at Charlton Park. Heading towards the three quarter time break the Demons snagged two late goals which seen them take a two-point lead to the final break.
With the four points on the line both sides finally found some form and the contest got a little tighter as the clock ticked away, Wycheproof-Narrapport added a further four goals to their tally and Charlton pegged back the lead of the demons to fall short by 5-points at full time. The Navy Blues could have grabbed the points but a couple of gettable shots missed the target which would see them drop only their second game for the year, both sides had equal amount of scoring shots but it was the Demons more accurate kicking got them the points.
Final Scores Wycheproof-Narrapport 9-10=64 def Charlton 8-11=59
Best for the Demons: C. Jones, J. White, S. Driscoll, D. Lourey, T. Keane, B. Bish.
Goals: C. Jones 4, R. Allan 2, G. Turner, D. Lourey, J. Turner 1 each.
Best for Charlton: R. Thompson, T. Finlay, M. Winsall, B. Roberts, D. Wright, S. O’Connor. Goals: B. Walklate 2, M. Winsall, L. Mulquiny, S. O’Connor, J. McGrath, A. Judd, T. Collins 1 each.
St Arnaud v Boort
In what would turn out to be the closest term of the game the Saints and Magpies struggled for supremacy in the opening term with the Saints just shading the Magpies at the end of the first quarter. St Arnaud held a slender 10-point lead in what was an interesting quarter of football.
It was all the Saints in the second quarter as they stamped their authority on the game as they cruised away from Boort when they turned it on in a ten-goal quarter. The Saints had many contributors as they displayed their silky skills and extended their 10-point lead at quarter time out to a 52-point lead at half way. Cunningham was having a field day and would end the day with seven majors to his credit, Tungatalum chimed in on a regular basis to keep the scores busy. Boort could not match it with the Saints who are getting better each week and are taking all before them and are looking cement a position in the top two.
Trailing by 52-points Boort were hoping for a change and a bit more of a committed level from their charges, but the Saints had different ideas and would again go on a goal kicking spree, kicking another 8-goals for the quarter and held the Magpies to just two-goals. At the last break the margin had got out to 90-points and it was just a matter of how big a margin it was going to be at the final bell. The Saints had winners all over the ground with all their forwards getting a share of the goals. For the Magpies it was Rice, Henningson and Jack Dehne who were their main contributors but they were working overtime to try and contain the rampaging Saints.
St Arnaud didn’t take the foot off in the final term and they would again dominate play and adding another 6-goals to their already healthy total. Boort managed to put 3-goals on the board and get their goal tally into double figures, but they could not contain the Saints in any way and at full time they were in arrears to the tune of 111-points suffering their biggest defeat for the year. The Saints ended the day with ten goal kickers with the major spoil going to Liam Cunningham with 7, Tungatalum kicked 5, Munkara 4 and the list goes on. St Arnaud even at this point are well positioned to book a double chance in this year’s finals and the way they have been playing their fast attacking football they well deserve to present position and they have the respect of all opposition teams with the Navy Blues the only team they have not conquered in season 2013.
Final Scores: St Arnaud 27-18=180 def Boort 10-9= 69
Best for the Saints: Liam Cunningham, N. Coghlan, J. Tillig, R. Grigg, Lachlan Cunningham and R. Tungatalum. Goals: Liam Cunningham 7, R. Tungatalum 5, D. Munkara 4, J. McNamee 3, J. Tillig, N. Coghlan 2, A. Lantgin, N. Reid, L. Stewart, R. Grigg 1 each.
Best for Boort: M. Rice, J. Dehne, M. Henningson, J. Tamblyn, S. Dehne, M. Hodoras. Goals: C. Chalmers 2, M. Patterson, D. Cameron, M. Buchanan, M. Hodoras, D. Johnston, S. Dehne, R. Easton, P. Manser 1 each.
Donald v Wedderburn
Both sides entered this contest short of some key players and the end result was not predicted by anyone, a draw. Wedderburn went into the game missing their two key forwards in Barnes and Herdman, ruckman Brett Strange, on-baller Ben DeAraugo and Coach Daniel Gash while the Royals were without key forward James Burke, Ruckman Ric Maatman, backman Scott Wood and others entered the game under a fitness cloud.
Wedderburn got away to a good start kicking with the aid of a good breeze and it didn’t take long for them to get on the board. Reiffel kicked three of their five goals for the Redbacks in the opening term while the Royals managed to keep in touch kicking three with Anderson kicking two of their tally.
Donald did not use the wind to their advantage in the second quarter when they were in a good position to take charge of the game and this could have easily given the Redbacks an unexpected lead at the main break with the scores being Wedderburn 7-2=44 leading the Royals 4-4=28.
After the break the visitors got a couple of early goals and looked like they might stretch their lead out and set up a good lead with one quarter to go but the Donald side rallied and answered with five goals to reduce the margin back to just 8-points with a quarter to play.
Donald drew first blood in the final term and there was just two points separating the two teams. Donald missed a couple of chances and the scores were level, at the 20 minute mark of the final term the home side hit the front for the first time in the match and had the momentum to go on and win the game. Wedderburn after being a goal down levelled the scores again before Donald missed another opportunity, McHugh for Wedderburn moved himself into the action and from his commitment and effort raised one last effort to secure victory but his kick could only manage a point and the scores were again locked up and that is where if finish with both sides having to split the points. For the Redbacks the two points was enough to elevate them back into the top four and the Royals their two points would give them a slim chance to play finals but they will need to keep improving and other results going their way to make this happen.
Final scores Donald 12-10=82 drew with Wedderburn 13-4=82
Best for Donald: R. Funcke, A. Baird, D. Ades, M. Clifford, Darcy Harrison, T. Bell. Goals: M. Clifford 4, L. Anderson 3, Darcy Harrison 2, D. Ades, B. Gilmour, D. Hawkes 1 each.
Best for Wedderburn: H. Polglase, M.Reiffel, A. Postle, J. McKay, C. Perry, L. McCarthy. Goals: M. Reiffel 5, L. McCarthy, J. McKay 2, K. Hayes, A. Brett, J. Piccoli, B. Rose 1 each.
Next Week
Boort v Charlton
Wycheproof-Narraport v Donald
Birchip-Watchem v St Arnaud
Wedderburn Bye
Last Modified on 23/06/2013 22:53