by Jim Gordon
Jeparit Rainbow v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers
Cliff Ryan and Simon Weekley put on a masterclass of goal kicking prowess at Jeparit on Saturday. Their combined tally of 25 goals was all there was to interest spectators as Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers tore apart the Lakers. The dynamic duo closed another chapter on yet another disappointing game for Jeparit Rainbow.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers win sets up a enticing couple of weeks. Already sitting on top of the MFL ladder equal on points with the Blues. Next Saturday the Tigers play Beulah for top spot and the minor premiership, they then face them two weeks later in the second semi for a passage straight into the Grand Final.
The last few games have been really tough on Jeparit Rainbow players and supporters. Poor disposal, especially into the forward line and poor decision making led to errors and there was an overall lack of defensive pressure.
The gulf between the top teams and Jeparit Rainbow seems to have grown this year when early on in the season it looked like the Lakers were on the improve. Club stalwart Heath Clugston was Jeparit Rainbow’s only goal kicker for the day.
Cliff Ryan was the real star of the day. His 16 goal haul was a sensation and it puts him in the mix to win the MFL goal kicking as he is only three behind Ouyen United’s Damien Cupido with one round to play.
The game got off to a one-sided start with Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers kicking the first five goals of the day. This was mainly due to the dominance of Cliff Ryan. At this early stage the first of many changes was made when Ben Marra replaced Tyler Edelsten as Ryan’s opponent. In the third quarter Andrew Watson took on the job, then in the last Adam Schulz had his turn.
Ryan and Weekly proved impossible to stop. Ryan with his fast leading and body strength and Weekly with his sensational high marking. As the weather warms and the grounds harden, these two are going to be tough to curtail as the Tigers challenge for the flag.
Sea Lakes hard running midfield gave their forwards every opportunity with good disposal into the attacking zone. Wes Harrison, Jason Collins and Darcy Ryan were on top and with young Dan McEwan rucking well, the Tigers took the ball out of the centre with ease.
Perennial workhorse Heath Clugston kicked all four of Jeparit Rainbow’s goals as well as playing in the midfield. Chris Meyer again left nothing out on the oval as he ran himself into the ground and Elliot Bath did much the same. Nathan Cocks tried hard on his wing, playing with the aggression that some of his more experienced team mates lacked.
Simon Clugston took some strong marks in defence and Tyler Edelsten tried hard all day and ran the ball out of the backline well. At least these players can hold their heads high knowing that they gave all they could.
Hopetoun v Ouyen United
Ouyen United came away with a 25 point win over Hopetoun in a 41 goal shootout at Hopetoun. Percentage will keep the Demons out of the four and rightly so, their form has been erratic and they have had a horror season with injury to key players. Hopetoun likewise have had little to brag about this season and will be glad that it is all over.
The Devils made an impression when they jumped Ouyen United at the start of the game. It was goal for goal for the whole day, until Ouyen United snuck away at the end. The Hopetoun’s top players play a great brand of creative football, but they lack the numbers to maintain pressure for a whole game.
United’s Damien Cupido was the star and was well worth the price of admission. In the end, his 18 goals was more than the Devils combined could muster in total.
Hopetoun had no-one to match the sheer raw talent of this former AFL and now Mallee League superstar. He kicked goals from everywhere. His trademark long raking left foot projectiles are his preferred option, but he used his right foot at times and was just as comfortable 45m out on the boundary as straight in front.
Hopetoun tried everyone bar the water boy on Cupido, but his imposing size, his strength and his sticky hands put him a class and a half above anyone else on the field. Cupido’s ability to lose his man and lead up the field made him impossible to stop.
Hopetoun got their game off to a flyer and it looked like it was going to be their day. The Devils had three goals on the board before Ouyen United had scored.
This was an entertaining game to watch for the strangely subdued crowd. There was lots of run and carry, plenty of goals and some classy football from the best half dozen players on each side, but it was as if both sets of spectators knew that the result of this game meant little. The fans seemed to prefer to sit back in the warm sun and enjoy the balmy atmosphere. In fact, there was definite hint of spring in the air and spring means finals football; not that either of these two sides will be taking part.
Cupido was well looked after by Ouyen United’s better players. Peter Caldow, Henry Armour and Bradley Summerhayes all know how their full forward likes the ball delivered. In the ruck Aaron Morrish did well against Riley Cook and he often got the Dees going from the centre where Caldow and Summerhayes were able to get the ball quickly forward with long high kicks ensuring Cupido was left one on one with whoever drew the lucky marble of being full back at the time. Ben Reid was tried on him, Luke Carr, Simon Cook … but no-one the Devils tried went close to succeeding.
Ouyen United had other players who tried to get in on the act, but too often their handball and kicking lacked accuracy or penetration and poor options turned the ball over. Hopetoun had several players capable of lapping up any loose balls.
Zac Robins had an excellent first half. His overhead marking in the first term was a treat to watch. Three times he marked the Ouyen United kickout from fullback and sent the ball back into attack where his accurate passing usually lead to a Hopetoun shot on goal.
The Devils had some good runners and were reasonably accurate in front of goal. Deek Roberts kept the Devils in front for most of the first three quarters of the game and ended up with five goals, Bryce Wellington marked well at times and scored another five goals and Luke Carr two.
The last time Cupido played against the Lakers at Blackburn Park, he kicked 17 goals. Twenty this time around is not out of the picture.
Beulah v Woomelang Lascelles
Woomelang Lascelles went close to causing a major upset when they got to within nine points of Beulah on Saturday. In a commendable effort, the Cats had a lapse in the second term when the Blues piled on six goals to one, but apart from that, they stayed with Beulah for the rest of the match. Inaccuracy in front of goal in the final quarter cost the Cats dearly.
In a standout year for the club, Beulah’s Callum Buchanan will poll well in the MFL Best and Fairtest award. Buchanan was at his brilliant best for the Blues against the Cats and his hard work in the midfield and around the gaols was rewarded with three goals. Micah Buchanan was damaging, Ryan McKenzie played a very good game and Tom Hallam was at his reliable best.
Woomelang Lascelles’ Aaron Lonergan finished with three goals, Dwayne Hamlyn played well and Corey Kelly is another who has had a very good season. Joel Donnan did well in defence and a measure of the Cats’ good work in this part of their game was that the usually dangerous Dennis Redden was held to just three goals.
Both of these sides will play finals football and both will play the same side twice in their next two games. Beulah will play the Tigers next week then again in the second semi final and the Cats come up against Walpeup Underbool in the final home and way game and once more in the first semi final.
Last Modified on 11/08/2013 13:32
