by Daniel Huttig
Round 5 of the Mallee Football League is done and dusted, and the league ladder is starting to take some shape. The first game of the round saw Jeparit-Rainbow host Hopetoun. The Lakers were searching for their first win of the season, and Hopetoun had just claimed their first points for the year last week, so a tight battle loomed. The first quarter was closely fought, with both teams registering the same amount of shots on goal. Hopetoun's accurate kicking saw them take a slender lead into the second quarter, and after doubling their score at the halftime break, had extended that lead out to 19 points. The second half was a different story to the first as Hopetoun kicked clear of the Lakers and started playing the game on their terms. The Devils eventually ran out victors by 34 points, while Jeparit-Rainbow were left to rue missed opportunities. Ben Webster was again good in front of the sticks kicking 3 goals, and Jackson Fisher, Matt Bellinger, Luke Cook, and Rylan Wellington each contributed with 2 goals. Liam Price and Adam Dufty were the better players for Hopetoun. For Jeparit-Rainbow, Heath Clugston kicked a bag of 5 goals, while Tyler Edelsten, Trevor Johnson, and Elliot Bath all got in the best.
The second match of the round was the top of the table clash between the League's two undefeated teams, Beulah and Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers. Both teams were looking to assert their authority early, however it was Beulah who got the jump on the home side and in a powerful display of their talent kicked 8 goals 6 to a solitary behind in the first quarter. The contest tightened in the second term and the Tigers got back into the game with some good passages of play. They were able to reduce the halftime margin back to 45 points. Beulah took their game up another notch after the long break and showed everyone in the competition that they are now the team to beat. The talented Blues side ran the remainder of the game out strongly, winning by 82 points. The Beulah forward line again shared the goals around with Shaun Monohan leading the way with 5 goals, followed by Brock Orval kicking 4, Denis Redden and Andrew Hughes 3 each, and Jason Turnbull 2. Tim Darcy was listed as best on ground for Beulah along with Tyler Lehmann. For the Tigers, Cliff Ryan was the only multiple goal scorer, and Luke Martin, Liam Barry, and Bryce Scott were the better players.
The final match of the round saw the ageing champions, Walpeup-Underbool take on last year's premiers, Woomelang-Lascelles. This match took on all the hallmarks of good close game as the first quarter got underway, and it was Walpeup-Underbool who were able to get on top early and take a 2 point lead into the first break. Unfortunately for the Roos, this was the only time they would hold a lead for the remainder of the match, because the second quarter was all Woomelang, as the Cats found their groove and kicked 11 goals in the second term. Woomelang-Lascelles continued to extend their lead for the remainder of the match and recorded the biggest win of the round, winning by 92 points. The Cats forward line again brought their 'A' game, as Corey Kelly kicked 7 goals, Jayden Lonergan 6, and Jack Shannahan 5. Players in the best included Jack Shannahan, Nyaburu Kelly, and Corey Kelly. It was a hard day at the office for the Walpeup-Underbool boys, but Kane Munro and Chris Vorwerk were each able to kick 2 goals apiece, while Joshua Plozza, David Piasente, and Matthew Palmer were all in the best players.
Ouyen United had the bye.
Last Modified on 11/05/2014 17:58
