Boort v Birchip-Watchem
Both sides entered this game with a finals berth riding on the outcome with the winner advancing
to next week’s first semi- final at Donald. Boort had the better of the first quarter to lead by eight at
quarter time. Boort missed some early opportunities that would have seen them take a bigger lead
to the first break but they were off target resulting in five minor scores to go with their three goals.
Birchip-Watchem took a while to windup and they were rewarded with late goals to keep them
within touch of the Magpies.
This game started to gather a finals atmosphere as the two sides went goal for goal as the ball was
constantly pushed into the attacking zones. O’Loughlan and Simpson were responsible for getting
the Bulls going and when the ball went forward it was Tyler who stood tall and put the Bulls right in
the contest which would eventually give them a half time lead of three points in a quarter which had
a bit of everything. Henningson and Cam Millward were good for Boort and they gave their forward
every opportunity with slick ball movement making it hard for the Bulls defenders to shut of the
determined Magpies.
With only one half of football to go for one of these team’s seasons, it was all or nothing ringing
out from both camps, win this we play finals a loss will see us put the gear away until next year and
the message certainly got through to the Bulls players as they bounced out of the blocks real quick
kicking two goals to extend their lead. Boort through Easton and Jesse Smith pulled the Bulls lead
back to under a goal. It was exciting football from both sides and the Bulls were able to finish the
quarter off better than the Magpies to take a four goal lead to three quarter time. This was the
biggest gap between these two sides all day and the chance of playing finals swayed in favour of the
Bulls, Could the Magpies claw their way back with only a term to be played.
Boort were not out of this contest and that was evident from the restart of the last quarter when
Smith cleared the ball and weaved some magic to produce the Magpies first goal for the term.
McAdam, Dehne and Easton put the home side within a goal of the Bulls and a finals berth look
a real chance. Birchip-Watchem leading goal kicker Castellano goaled to give the Bulls a bit of
breathing space and a two goal lead, Boort’s Smith was again in the thick of the action and another
goal reduced the margin back to just the one goal but the time was quickly disappearing but a stroke
of luck for the Magpies seen McAdam split the pack and snap a goal to level the scores but both
sides needed the win to advance to next week but time got in the way of a result to either side and
when the siren sounded to end the game and the season it was the Bulls who would advance to next
week’s final against St Arnaud. Boort done everything right except win and their season has drawn
to a close as a result of their season climaxing in a draw.
Final Score: Boort 14-14= 98 drew with Birchip-Watchem 14-14=98.
Best for Boort: M. Henningson, Cam Millward, S. Dehne, A. Wilson, J. Fitzpatrick, Jesse Smith. Goals:
Jesse Smith 4, R. Easton 3, S. Dehne, C. McAdam 2, rest singles.
Best for the Bulls: S. O’Loughlan, J. Tyler, A. Simpson, D. Castellano, T. Carland, J. Cusack.
Goals: J. Tyler 6, D. Castellano 3, rest single.
Charlton v Wedderburn
In the clash between the top two sides Wedderburn and Charlton staged a preview of the second
semi-final in front of a large crowd. Wedderburn got the first goal kicked by the inform Paul Prime.
Travis Baird made a quick reply for the Navy Blues and other attempts at goal missed the main
target until McKenzie put Charlton in front and they would carry their slender nine point lead to the
quarter time break. In the opening term there was no place for faint hearts as the ball was fiercely
contested by both sides.
In the second quarter there was not a lot of scoring as both side’s defences were continually sending
the ball back to the opposite end. McGrath and Kyriakides gave Charlton an extended lead and the
Navy Blues were looking the better side. In the later part of the quarter Barnes who had been held
scoreless found some space and with a short time had added three goals and put the Redbacks just
one goal shy of the lead at the main break.
Wedderburn entered the third term a different side and whipped the deficit off in the opening
minute of the quarter with a goal to DeAraugo, shortly after Prime kicked his second and DeAraugo
followed suit and the Redbacks were away. Lloyd goaled for Charlton to reduce the margin but
Wedderburn responded to that goal with Chalmers, Hannah and DeAraugo all kicking majors to have
the Redbacks well placed going into the last quarter holding a lead of 21-points with a quarter to go.
With only pride on the line neither side had anything riding on the outcome but the home side
with their 73 and 74 reunion happening they were determined to put on a good show for the large
crowd. Trailing by 21-points the Navy Blues Thiesz reduced that margin at the ten minute mark of
the quarter and then the Redbacks Chalkley put the margin back out to over twenty points and
the Redbacks were looking to go on with the game but the Charlton side had a different slant on
the game and lifted their work rate with McGrath and Sullivan posting goals for Charlton but the
Redbacks were holding onto a five point lead close to full time. With time slipping away Charlton
gave one last effort and sent the ball forward where McGrath led and was able to take a strong
mark and while he was lining up for a shot at goal the siren sounded and it was McGrath’s kick while
would determine the winner and it would be Charlton home by a point with McGrath’s kick after the
siren splitting the big sticks and the Navy Blues players and supporters went up as one as the ball
travelled over the head of the goal umpire.
Final scores: Charlton 10-14=74 def Wedderburn 11-6=73
Best for Charlton: B. Walklate, R. Thompson, T. Baird, M. Willox, K. Sait, A. McKenzie.
Goals for Charlton: J. McGrath 3, L. Kyriakides 2, rest singles.
Best for Wedderburn: B. Herdman, R. McHugh, R. Tonkin, M. Lloyd, N. Bell and B. DeAraugo.
Goals for Wedderburn: B. DeAraugo, S. Barnes 3, P. Prime 2, rest singles.
Donald v Wycheproof-Narraport
Wycheproof-Narraport got off to a good start against the Royal Blues and quickly put a gap between
the two sides. Allan and Coatsworth were on target up forward and Donald had their hands full
trying to contain them. Things Changed a bit late in the term when Onley and Dunstan cut back the
Demons lead and trailed by just two goals at the quarter time break.
Both sides managed to kick two goals in the second quarter and Donald missed a couple of easy
shots which would have had them a lot closer than the ten points behind the Demons at the main
break in play. Wyatt was in everything and giving the Donald side plenty of drive as they worked on
reducing the Demons lead. Allan and Driscoll were the main contributors for the visitors in this half
of the game.
Donald produced their best footy of the day in the third term and outscored the Demons, Donald
kicked four goals to the Demons two in this quarter to give them a two point lead and a chance of
recording their first win for the season.
In the final term the Donald side hung on gamely to their slender lead and were wondering if they
could see out the distance with their small lead. With defeat facing the Demons their better players
lifted and so did their scoring as they stated to get the ball into their forward line for positive results.
In this final term for the year for both clubs the Demons spoiled the Royals winning chance when
they kicked seven goals to one to end their season on a high note. For Donald if not winning a game
reflected a disappointing result for the year, then in other terms how good was their year with the
grooming of some of their younger players for the future and they still have a big involvement in the
finals with three sides still remaining in the push for premierships.
Final scores: Wycheproof-Narraport 15-3=93 def Donald 9-7=61
Best for the Demons: G. Turner, S. Driscoll, D. Lourey, B. Brennan, N. Elliott and James Coatsworth.
Goals: R. Allan, S. Driscoll, J. Coatsworth 4, G. Turner 2 and Jed Bish 1.
Best for Donald: G. Wyatt, J. Onley, J. Newell, J. Heslop, D. Pearce, A. Grant.
Goals: J. Onley 3, S. Dunstan, S. Young 2, A. Hall and B. Sexton 1 each.
Next week
First Semi Final at Donald
Under 13’s 9.30 am
Under 16’s 10.50 am
Reserves 12.30 pm
Seniors 2.30 pm
Last Modified on 28/08/2014 12:32