St Arnaud v Wedderburn
Wedderburn failed to make use of a very strong wind in the opening quarter in their match at Lord Nelson Park St Arnaud. This allowed a very determined St Arnaud to outscore them in the opening term. The Saints were on song right from the first toss up and they were able to adjust better to the shocking weather conditions. Jimmy Wray was dominating play and pushed the ball forward on many occasions in this opening term. Lachlan Cunningham kicked the first major of the game and soon after Wray added another for the Saints. When the Redbacks were able to get the ball past half forward points were all they were able to achieve until late into the term when Chalmers was awarded a free and he registered the Redbacks first goal for the match.
Taking full advantage of their good work in the first quarter the Saints set about building on their efforts of holding the Redbacks to just the one goal when they had the use of that strong wind. Nick Coghlan set things in motion when he kicked the next two goals for the home side to see their lead gradually increasing. Having eight scoring shots in the term could have had the game well and truly wrapped up by half time but the rain and wind prevented the accuracy around goals. The Saints managed to kick two goals six points for the quarter to extend their lead out to 21-points at the main break, in this quarter Wedderburn was held to just the one point. This would be Wedderburn’s lowest half time score for a long time, but credit must go to McNamee who led his troops well in their efforts to contain the Redbacks.
With the weather clearing Wedderburn was hoping that might help their chances of getting themselves back into the game and when Barnes marked and brought up full points the Wedderburn spirits rose just slightly. Patching and Coghlan put paid to those ideas when they replied for the Saints. Trailing by 27-points half way through the third term the Redbacks raised the hopes of their loyal supporters when Chalmers and McCarthy brought the Saints lead back to a manageable task, just prior to the final change Hannah received a free kick and then was advanced fifty metres into the goal square to bring up the Redbacks fifth goal and they went to the three quarter time break trailing by just seven points.
With the strong possibility of the Saints causing an upset their Coach called on the Saints players to give it their best shot to hold off the Redbacks and record a memorable win and in the opening few minutes Dingo goaled and the Saints lifted with the vision of recording a great win. Wedderburn’s McNamara goaled to give the Redbacks another shot a claiming victory only to see the ball head to the hockey field end and Petrie who was playing his first game back with the Saints took a strong mark and made no mistake. Not to be outdone McKay kicked truly for the Redbacks to put them back in the contest but that would be short lived as Patching pushed the home sides lead bake out to fifteen points and the Saints were home. McNamee was at his brilliant best for the whole game but his last term was outstanding as he turned back many forward moves from the Redbacks. The Saints who were the better side for the entire game and handled the conditions better than Wedderburn certainly deserved their win and the roar from their supporters at siren time was worthy equal of a Grand Final win.
Final Scores: St Arnaud 9-13=67 def Wedderburn 7-10= 52
Best for the Saints: J. McNamee, J. Wray, C. Bloomer, L. Cunningham, J. Priest and A. Jesse.
Goals: Nick Coghlan 3, J. Wray 2, rest singles.
Best for the Redbacks: H. Polglase, W. Chalmers, C. Perry, R. McHugh, N. Bell and A. Postle.
Goals: W. Chalmers 2, rest singles.
Senior Photos from St A v Wedd - Reserves - Under 16's
Charlton v Wycheproof-Narraport
Charlton and Wycheproof-Narraport matched motors in the opening quarter of their game at Charlton Park. Both sides kicked three goals one point to be square at the first change. Charlton went into the game minus a couple of key players in Coach Aaron Walklate and defender Travis Baird. Charlton defended stoutly to keep the Demons, who were kicking with the aid of the wind, to a respectable score in the opening term while they were able to keep touch by matching goals with the Demons.
The second quarter saw the Navy Blues send the ball forward on many occasions, only to see minor scores being registered. Ben Walklate was the prime mover for the home side and he was being well supported by Roberts and Kyriakides while down back Rhys Thompson was their key defender with Wright and Rogan playing strong support roles which resulted in the Navy Blues holding the Demons scoreless for the quarter and at half time Charlton had gained a two goal margin over the Demons.
Wycheproof-Narraport drew first blood in the third term with James Coatsworth bringing up both flags. Charlton through McGrath answered quickly and when Kyriakidies brought up full points the Navies extended their lead. In the middle part of the quarter the ball rebounded between the half bake lines and just prior to the final changeover McNicol put the Demons back within 13-points and a chance at pulling off an upset.
Both sides could only manage two goals each in the final quarter with both sides’ players showing the signs of a hard physical match under trying conditions. Neither side could muster any slight advantage over their opposition and late in the term, both sides appeared to be going through the motions with the final siren not coming soon enough. Charlton maintained their three quarter time lead and added a further point to give them a fourteen point win and hold onto their second place in the league’s top four. Wycheproof-Narraport will now go and prepare for their match against bottom side Donald next week while the Navy Blues travel to Donaldson Park to vie for equal top position when they meet the Redbacks in the top of the table clash next Saturday in the “Woosang Challenge “match.
Final scores: Charlton 8-11=59 def Wycheproof-Narraport 7-3=45
Best for Charlton: R. Thompson, M. Willox, K. Sait, D. Wright, T. Collins, S. Rogan. Goals: J. McGrath 3, B. Roberts 2, Rest singles.
Best for Wycheproof-Narraport: James Coatsworth, T. Keane, Boe Bish, J. White, J. Turner, R. Allan. Goals: James Coatsworth 4, rest singles.
Donald v Birchip-Watchem
Birchip-Watchem set the scene for the day when they were able to get early goals on the board
And kick out to a handy lead in the opening term. Donald could only manage the one goal for the term and trailed by21-points at the first change.
Kicking with the aid of a strong wind the Royals were unable to make full use of the assistance and could just manage the one major in this quarter but due to their solid backline they also shut down the Bulls scoring opportunities with them only registering two points in this term and at half time the Bulls had maintained a fourteen point lead.
Looking to get their game back on track the Bulls set sail in the opening minutes of the third term posting goals to Simpson and Castellano. Shaun Neeson who was the main focal point for the Bulls also reappeared and added a further two goals to his tally as the Bulls kicked well clear of the Royal Blues who could only add a further point to their half time score and at three quarter time they had slipped further behind to trail by 48-points with a quarter to be played.
The Royals Coach called on his players to put some respectability back on the scoreboard and highlighted that it would be a poor way for a couple of loyal players in Brad Vallance and Will McAllister playing their 100th game to celebrate their milestone match for the club, by playing in a game and suffering a big defeat. Those chosen words from the Coach looked to have hit home with his players, as the Royals found some form and continually pushed the ball into their attacking zone and suddenly they were able to put that respectability back on the scoreboard. In the last term Donald certainly outplayed the Bulls as they pulled back their 48-point lead back to just 27 points at full time. The Bulls who had dominated for the first three terms may have appeared to back off a little, but had the margin at the last change been a bit closer, then we may have seen a reverse in the result, but it wasn’t to be. The win of the Bulls puts then back within strike of the top four and there will be a fair bit riding on their next game at home against Boort who sit just four points above them on the North Central ladder. For the Royals they now face off with the Demons next week in what looks to be possibly their best chance to record a win and break that losing streak which at present is continually growing.
Final scores: Birchip-Watchem 10-12=72 def Donald 6-9=45
Best for the Bulls: S. Neeson, J. Cusack, T. Carland, D. Douglas, J. Barnard and D. Castellano.
Goals S. Neeson 4, rest singles.
Best for Donald: L. Carr, D. Haddow, G. Wyatt, W. McAllister, C. O’Rourke and R. Funcke.
Goals: S. Young 2 rest singles.
Next week
Wycheproof-Narraport v Donald
Wedderburn v Charlton (Woosang Challenge Match)
Birchip-Watchem v Boort
St Arnaud has the bye.
Last Modified on 29/06/2014 20:53