Wycheproof-Narraport v Wedderburn
The Demons main aim in this match was to have a better result than the last meeting with the ladder leaders who defeated them by over 160-points in round nine. After winning the ball out of the middle Wedderburn pushed the ball forward where Barnes marked and registered the first goal for the match. The Demons through Coatsworth responded for the Demons first goal. Wedderburn was able to go forward again and Herdman kicked the first of his two goals in as many minutes to give the Redbacks a mini break. Wycheproof-Narraport then returned fire and posted two goals to all but level the scores heading to quarter time. In the last play of the term Prime swooped on a loose ball and made no mistake to give the Redbacks an eight point lead at the first break in play.
In the second quarter the Demons turned on their best football and outscored Wedderburn. The home side was playing the better football and if they could maintain the pressure they were looking like they may just cause an upset as the Redbacks had no answer and were being outplayed in all areas. Wycheproof-Narraport finished the quarter off leading by 10-points but some missed opportunities could have seen that lead extended well beyond the twenty points at the main break. Wedderburn were held to just two goals by the Demons backline and they would need to regroup at the half time break as their first half left plenty of room for improvement.
The third quarter seen the rolls reversed with the Redbacks taking back control of the game and their backline stood solid and only allowed the Demons one point which the Redbacks rushed through late in the term. It had taken over half a game for some of the Wedderburn players to find their feet as they increased their work rate to shut the opposition down. The Redbacks turned around a ten point deficit into an eighteen point lead at the last change with a much improved performance where most players were finding some lost form.
The final term saw the Redbacks continue to control the game as they increased their lead over the Demons. Herdman was moved to full forward and this had immediate results as he kicked two goals to extend their lead. Ricky Allan kicked a goal from outside fifty to lift the Demons and this was followed by a goal to George Turner after receiving a relayed free kick. At full time it was the Redbacks by six goals but in the earlier part of the game it looked like the Demons were heading for an upset but a quiet third term and only two goals after half time put paid to any upset result.
Final scores Wedderburn 15-13=103 def Wycheproof-Narraport 9-13= 67
Best for Wedderburn: B. Herdman, B. Strange, L. McCarthy, M. Lloyd, R. Tonkin and Ben De Araugo. Goals: B. Herdman 5, S. Barnes 4, P. Prime2, rest singles.
Best for the Demons: J. Turner, G. Turner, S. Driscoll, B. Brennan, D. Lourey and James Coatsworth. Goals: R. Allan 3, James Coatsworth 2, rest singles.
Boort v Charlton
As is usual for the Navy Blues they were quick out of the blocks against Boort and took an early lead, Travis Baird was able to get free on a couple of occasions and this proved costly for the Magpies as he converted for full points. Boort took a while to get their first score but this then lifted their spirits and it wasn’t long before Easton kicked their second goal for the quarter but at the first break they trailed Charlton by fifteen points.
In the second quarter neither side could get a break as both sides posted four goals one point with Charlton retaining their fifteen point margin. This was an entertaining quarter where both sides displayed their skills at both ends of the ground.
Charlton started the third term off better than Boort and it didn’t take them long to build on their fifteen point lead, Baird continued to cause havoc for the Magpies backmen adding two more goals to his tally. The Magpies were able to score two goals for the term but they were now thirty points in arrears of the Navy Blues, Wilson, Welsh and Millward were getting their share of the Sherrin for the Magpies but Charlton have a bigger range of contributors which was resulting in them going to the final change leading by five goals.
In the final quarter both sides kicked three goals in what would turn out to be a fairly even quarter with the Navy Blues winning the term by just two points to give them a thirty two point win over Boort. Boort still remain in the hunt for a finals berth and for the Navy Blues they retain second position on the ladder with only three rounds to go.
Final Scores: Charlton 15-12=102 def Boort 11-4=70
Best for Charlton: R. Thompson, S. Rogan, D. Thiesz, L. Kyriakides, D. Wright and A. Judd.
Goals: T. Baird 5, L. Kyriakides 4, A. Judd, James Baird 2, rest singles.
Best for Boort: Jesse Smith, C. McAdam, A. Welsh, J. Tamblyn, A. Wilson and C. Millward.
Goals: A. White, R. Easton 3, rest singles.
Birchip-Watchem v St Arnaud
Birchip-Watchem and St Arnaud both had a bit riding on the outcome of this game a win to the Bulls would give them a break on Boort if they went down to Charlton and a win to the Saints keeps their double chance well and truly alive. This game started at a hectic pace from both sides and the pressure was on from the word go. St Arnaud through Cunningham was the first to score a major this was the start the Saints were looking for and it didn’t take long for Coghlan to post their second and Cunningham popped up for his second. The Bulls needed to get into the game and Barnard scoring their first and Castellano breaking through to kick two goals late in the term to level the scores at quarter time.
The Saints were first to score in the second quarter and it wasn’t long before they had established a break on the Bulls as the posted five goals and kept the Bulls to just three and headed for the half time break holding a lead of 20-points. Batters and Bloomer were getting their share of the footy and was being well supported by McNamee who was getting onto of Carland in their midfield duel. Castellano and O’Loughlan were better players for the Bulls to half time.
After the main break the Bulls looked to reduce the lead of the Saints and Castellano kicked off their recovery. The Bulls kept attacking the goals and they were able to pull back the Saints lead to just seven points before the ball went to the other end and Needs kicked to goals for the Saints. Neeson kicked a vital goal for the Bulls to put them back within touch of the Saints but just before the three quarter time break the Coghlan brothers both kicked a goal to see the Saints extend their lead out to 27-points at the final break.
The Bulls believed that the twenty seven point margin the Saints held over them was not out of reach for them and they were going to make every post a winner and things were going along quite well with Castellano in fine form and would finish the day with eight goals as the pulled back the Saints lead as their spirits lifted and the Saints censed this and re started the motor and recap their lead which they would retain until the final bell and get home by 26-points. The Bulls like Boort are still in the running for a finals berth even though they lost this game as for the Saints their double chance is still well and truly alive.
For photo's from this game: Click Here
Final scores: St Arnaud 17-20=122 def Birchip-Watchem 15-6=96
Best for St Arnaud: B. Batters, C. Bloomer, J. McNamee, J. Patching, B. Palipuaminni, N. Coghlan. Goals: Nathan and Nick Coghlan, D. Needs 4, L. Cunningham, J. Patching 2, rest singles.
Best for Birchip-Watchem: D. Castellano, S. O’Loughlan, J. Cusack, J. Barnard, A. Hutchins, and C. Beteux. Goals: D. Castellano 8, S. O’Loughlan, J. Tyler 2, rest singles.
Next Saturday
Donald v Boort
Charlton v Birchip-Watcem
Wedderburn Bye
Sunday Game
St Arnaud v Wycheproof-Narraport
Last Modified on 04/08/2014 14:59