Charlton v St Arnaud
Charlton and St Arnaud done a fair bit of testing each other’s strengths in the opening term and were only separated by two points at the first break in play. With the matchup’s looking fairly even, either side was prepared to allow the other any advantage in this quarter and the contest looked set to be reasonably close for most of the day, with both the Navy Blues and Saints both claiming a victory in their previous two encounters.
The Navy Blues broke that theory apart early in the second term when they were able to gain an advantage over the Saints. As in past weeks Charlton could have had this game well within their grasp at the half way mark where they had doubled the scoring shots of the Saints but their lead was just 24-points at the major break in play. Ben Walklate and Lee Stewart were staging a great battle in the middle with both able to gain many possessions, McGrath for Charlton was again on target kicking early goals as was Coghlan for the Saints but he was not getting the scoring opportunities at his end of the ground.
With half time behind them St Arnaud were first to add to their score when Tungatalum goaled to reduce the lead of Charlton. The home side pushed the ball forward on many occasions but could not convert, with many feeling that in the end this may cost the Navy Blues. ST Arnaud was not as sharp as they have been in earlier games this season and their scoring opportunities were not coming on a regular basis, the Saints and Navy Blues only managed to kick four goals between them in this term. Charlton’s lead at the last change was out to 29-points, but not enough to assure them a win against a side that has regularly been able to kick quick goals.
With plenty on the line for both sides and in worsening conditions Charlton stepped up their game, which caught the Saints a bit by surprise as the Navy Blues slammed on 10-goals to the Saints two in the final quarter. Charlton was sending a message to the Saints, who had no answer to the scoring power the Navy Blues were producing. It wasn’t only the heavens that opened; the Navy Blues were pouring on the goals over a quality opposition as they ran out strong winners by 80-points and will now enter the finals race full of confidence. For the Saints they need to recover from this disappointing loss and regroup for a must win game against the Royal Blues next week to retain the double chance.
Final Scores Charlton 20-20=140 def St Arnaud 9-6= 60
Best for Charlton: Joe McLean, Ben Walklate, Rhys Thompson, Daniel Thiesz, Sam O’Connor and Shaun Lawry. Goals: Joe McGrath 4, T. Finlay, Joe McLean 3, Ben Roberts, Anthony Judd, and Daniel Thiesz 2 each, rest singles.
Best for St Arnaud: Jamie Patching, Dan McGrath, Lee Stewart, Matt Brady, Nick Coghlan, Sam Dyke. Goals: Nick Coghlan 4, rest singles.
Wedderburn v Boort
Boort kicked with the aid of a strong wind and it didn’t take them long to get on the board. Matt Rice marked at half forward from a kick out of the first bounce and he made no mistake, Dale Cameron made it two goals in two minutes for the Magpies. Wedderburn were battling to get the ball past half forward and the Magpies when rebounding the ball out of the Redbacks half forward line were setting up many scoring opportunities, Rice again converted as did Van der Zande as Boort started to get away from the Redbacks. Wedderburn were able to capitalise on a turnover which seen Barnes and Rose combine for the home sides first major. Boort ended the term with a 19-point lead, which had been greater mid-term before the Redbacks struck back late to pull that margin right back.
It was now the turn of the Redbacks to kick with the wind, but Boort looked like they were not too concerned as they pushed forward and Hodoras brought up both flags to extend their lead. Tonkin and McHugh got the Redbacks up and running with majors but the Redbacks were missing some easy shots at goal in this quarter where they kicked 3-7 but they had reduce the Magpies lead back from nineteen points to two by the main break.
Boort were looking to again hit the scoreboard early in the third term and Rice (2) and Hodoras gave them every opportunity with early goals and the visitors kicked out to lead by three goals at about half way into the quarter. Wedderburn goaled through Reiffel (2) and Herdman to put the Redbacks back within reach of the Magpies and just on siren time Hayes made it all square at 78-points apiece.
With plenty riding on the outcome the Redbacks set about gaining the upper-hand and this they could have achieved had they kicked straight. While the Redbacks kicked three goals in the term and held the Magpies goalless for the quarter, the kicked nine points with a lot of those points being very gettable shots. Wedderburn eventually ran out good winners by 26-points and this could have been greater but in the end the margin was not that important it was the four points that counted, allowing the Redbacks an outside chance of the double chance but there is a fair bit needs to go their way for this to happen. Boort’s season comes to a close next week when they take on Wycheproof-Narraport at Boort Park next week and Boort would love to go out in season 2013 on a winning note.
Final scores: Wedderburn 14-21=105 def Boort 12-7=79
Best for Wedderburn: Danny Benaim, Cam Perry, Rob Tonkin, M. Reiffel, Brett Strange, Jacob DeAraugo. Goals: M. Reiffel 5, B. Herdman 3, S. Barnes 2, rest singles.
Best for Boort: M. Hodoras, M. Henningson, R. Easton, N. Gooding, J. Kane, N. Parker. Goals: M. Rice 3, M. Hodoras 3, T Van der Zande 2, rest singles.
Donald v Birchip-Watchem
Donald and Birchip-Watchem played an even first quarter with Donald shading the Bulls by four points at the quarter time break. Like all other games wind and rain was playing a big part in the conditions of play and the game was no real spectacle.
Donald used the wind in the second quarter and was able to establish a reasonable break by half time. The Royal Blues kicked five goals two points to give them a 29-point lead in a quarter they were able to restrict the Bulls to just one goal. Anderson and Clifford were combining well up forward for Donald and this was causing some problems for the Bulls defenders lead by Jesse Smith and Jake Hogan who were giving their best to prevent the Royals from adding to that handy lead.
It was the home side who was making all the play in the third term and the Birchip-Watchem side were under a fair bit of pressure, as they tried desperately to keep themselves in the contest and hoping to keep alive their chance of recording their second win for the year. Donald was not allowing any favours and were not going to give the Bulls that opportunity as they held on to take a solid 43-point lead to three quarter time, making it pretty hard for the Birchip-Watchem side to get their wish with only one term remaining.
The final quarter seen both side kick their highest goal tallies for the day, Donald managed 6-goals and the Bulls kicked four equalling their efforts of the first three terms. Donald extended their lead by the end of the day and recorded a 54-point win to record back to back wins for the first time for the year and with next week being their final game for the year they would hope they could extend that to three wins in a row when they travel to St Arnaud. Birchip-Watchem will be looking for better things in 2014 as their season come to a close next week when they take on the inform Wedderburn Redbacks at George Cartwright Oval and on past form you would think it may be just too big of a task to be landed with in your last game in what has been a long season for all Birchip-Watchem supporters.
Final score: Donald 16-11=107 def Birchip-Watchem 8-5= 53
Beat for Donald: A. Baird, M. Clifford, L. Anderson, J. Heslop, W. McAllister, M. Gilmour. Goals: M. Clifford 6, A. Baird, R. Harberger, Darcy Harrison 2 each, rest singles.
Best for Birchip-Watchem: J. Smith, J. Hogan, Z. Holmes, H. Christie, J. Smerdon, J. Noonan. Goals: S. Anderson 4, J. Smerdon 2, Rest singles.
Next Week
Boort v Wycheproof-Narraport
Birchip-Watchem v Wedderburn
St Arnaud v Donald
Charlton has the Bye
Finals venues
1st Semi Charlton, Second Semi Wedderburn, Prelim at Boort Grand Final at Donald.
Last Modified on 19/08/2013 02:17
