With round four completed two sides remain undefeated; two sides remain winless, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers rack up their first points in the North Central League with their win over the Wedderburn Redbacks. Boort has taken their wins to three for the year after defeating Birchip-Watchem. At the half time break of North Central matches the largest lead to any side was eight points, Donald’s lead over St Arnaud, Boort led Birchip-Watchem by five points, Charlton were four points in front of Wycheproof-Narraport and Wedderburn held a one point lead over the tigers. In winning their match against St Arnaud, Donald suffered a big loss to their playing stocks with their Coach and reigning Feeny Medal Winner Luke Fisher being stretchered off the ground with what appeared to be a serious knee injury a huge blow for the Royal Blues.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Wedderburn
Sea Lake Nandaly drew first blood in their game against the Wedderburn Redbacks when Elliott slotted through the first goal of the game. From the bounce the Tigers again sent the ball forward where Weekly took a solid mark and then posted their second goal and the Tigers had come to play. In the wide open spaces of the Sea Lake ground the Redbacks were having a minor issue to get the ball into their attacking zone; finally they were able to break through when Wedderburn Coach Danny Benaim brought up the first major for the Redbacks. Sea Lake Nandaly’s Simon Weekly was giving the Tigers a focal point up forward and he was responded kicking his second goal for the term to put the tigers back in front. Wedderburn’s, Holt brothers Will and Nathan both kicked major scores in the final minutes of the opening quarter to give the Redbacks a small lead at the first break.
In the second term the Redbacks were able to extend their lead with goals to Benaim and Daniel Gash who was giving the Redbacks plenty of drive from the midfield. Sea Lake Nandaly responded with Brad Collins and Luke Martin combining together to push the ball forward where Weekly was again their target. Weekly kicked truly for his third and soon after he added a further two goals to his tally to give the Tigers the lead in a game where the lead was changing on a regular basis. Ben DeAraugo kicked the Redbacks next goal from outside fifty and with no one protecting the goals the ball rolled through to again see the Redbacks take the lead. In the minutes prior to the main break both sides had their chances up forward but both sides could only manage minor scores with Wedderburn going to half time holding a one point lead in what had been a very entertaining first half.
Weekly was the key for the Tigers and was getting good support from Brad and Jason Collins, Zac May and Matt Elliott. For the Redbacks, Gash was the standout player with Danny Benaim, Corey Lowry and Robbie Tonkin doing their share of the workload.
After the long break the Tigers were able to combine well with a string of hand passes to get the ball forward where Brad Collins put the tigers in front again. After the restart Hernan for the Redbacks followed up his play and was rewarded with a goal to see the score tied up. At the centre bounces May was proving a problem for Wedderburn midfield so a change was made with May now pitted against Postle who was able to cut back the big man’s dominance. New player to the Tigers in Josh Houlihan chimed in to post another major for the Tigers and Bloom who had been busy all game registered his first score for the day and the Tigers lead was out to over two goals. Wedderburn Coach Danny Benaim brought the margin back but it was short lived with Bloom kicking his second for the term to again give the Tigers a handy lead heading to the final change. Right on siren time the Redbacks struck back with Ben DeAraugo bringing up goal number three to pull the Tigers lead back to ten points with a quarter to play.
With less than two goals separating the two teams and with both looking to register their first win for the year we were set for an interesting final quarter but the signs were there late in the third term that the speed and physical pressure of the game, which both side had applied may be taking its toll. The Tigers, Zac May kicked the first goal of the final term to extend the home sides lead out to around the three goal mark which was the biggest margin of the game. Wedderburn had a couple of early opportunities but squandered those chances with minor scores. Deep into the term Danny Benaim kicked his fourth goal and the Redbacks were back in touch with the Tigers but Simon Weekly upset the Redbacks chance of victory when he kicked his sixth goal for the game. Weekly with his six goals would go on to be named the Tigers best and he had plenty of support from Luke Martin, Jason Collins, Bloom, Joe Summerhayes and McInnes. For the Redbacks Danial Gash was best with Corey Lowry, Robbie Tonkin, Jake Hernan, Danny Benaim (4 Goals) and Ben DeAraugo (3 Goals) being named in the better players for the visitors.
Final scores Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 12-17=89 defeated Wedderburn 11-7=73
Wycheproof-Narraport v Charlton
These two sides went into the game both undefeated so unless they were to play out a draw one would lower their colours for the first time. In an even first term both sides flexed their muscles in their efforts to gain an advantage. Wycheproof-Narraport gained the upper hand midway through the quarter and had the chance to take a good hold on the game but inaccuracy cost them that chance. The Navy Blues finally got their game going and within a short space of time they had put themselves back within reach of the Demons and at quarter time they had brought the margin back to just under two goals.
Charlton continued their good work from late in the first term to reach the lead midway through the quarter. The Navy Blues backline led by Rhys Thompson was turning back any forward moves from the Demons and their work was that good that the home side could only register just one point for the quarter. At the halftime break the Navies had turned an eleven point deficit into a four point lead and we had returned to an even contest.
With the first half behind them both sides were keen to get the edge over the opposition and the Demons who were goalless in the second term were awake again as they set about posting a better score than their previous quarter. James Coatsworth got the show on the road with two goals and this lifted the side. Charlton not to be outdone responded to post their first goal for the term to put themselves back on level terms with the Demons. Goals to Corey Jones and Adrian Pappin gave the Demons some breathing space and they would finish the quarter with a sixteen point lead over the Navy Blues and the stage was set for an interesting final term. The Demons managed six goals for the term while the Navies kicked just the three goals.
In the final quarter the Demons took total control of the game adding a further five goals while the Navy Blues could only manage the two goals. With James Coatsworth kicking five goals, Corey Jones and Adrian Pappin kicking four each the Demons were able to run the game right out to win by 34-points and remain undefeated. The Navy Blues after a slow start got themselves back into the game by halftime only to be outplayed in the final half by the Demons. Best for the Demons Connor Burge, George Turner, Chris Howgate, James Coatsworth, Adrian Pappin and Corey Jones. Better players for the Navy Blues, Shaun Bowles, Daniel Thiesz, Luke Kyriakides, Daniel Hayes, Rhys Thompson and Ben Walklate.
Final scores Wycheproof-Narraport 15-13=103 defeated Charlton 10-9=69
Donald v St Arnaud
St Arnaud opened the first quarter like the Saints of old as they charged away to a handy lead over ladder leaders Donald and by quarter time they had established 25-point lead and it looked like the Saints had finally found some form that got them a premiership last season but this was only the first quarter.
Donald struck back in the second term with Neville continuing his good form from the previous week as he posted goals to get the Royals on the road to recovery which they were able to achieve and take an eight point lead to half time over a quality opposition who entered the game minus some key players.
In the third term Donald were showing the form that sees them sitting on top of the leagues ladder. In this quarter they were able to add a further six goals and hold the Saints to just the two goals. Brodie Haddow was a prime mover for the Royals giving plenty of drive out of the centre contests and Seamus Young and Neville were finishing off his good work. At three quarter time Donald was over thirty points in front but it came at a big loss with their coach Luke Fisher suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury and all would hope that the injury is not as serious as it looked as the Feeny Medallist was stretchered off the ground.
In the final term the Royals was able maintain their lead to run out winners by 29-points and retain their unbeaten record. Best for Donald was Haddow, Sam Dunstan, Neville, Pearce, Seamus Young and Jarred Newell. The Saints were best served by Bloomer, Knight, Batters, Michael Dunn, Billy Williams and Nick Baldwin
Final scores Donald 14-14=98 defeated St Arnaud 10-9=69
Boort v Birchip-Watchem
Boort looking to continue on their winning run opened the scoring in the first term with a goal from Brodie Leonard-Shannon. Boort, full of confidence after winning their last two games, showed early signs that they wanted a repeat result of their past two matches. Wilson and Leonard-Shannon with solid performances in the early part of the game instigated some fine work resulting in positive returns. Birchip-Watchem managed to score only one goal for the quarter and trailed by nineteen points at quarter time.
A different Bulls team came out after the first break to get their game going when Ratcliffe kicked truly. The Bulls added another three goals before the half time break and had turned that nineteen point deficit into four goal turnaround to lead by five points at half way.
In the third term Boort was able to regroup and it wasn’t long before they had again hit the lead. Orr and Jack Baker were giving the Magpies first use of the ball and this set up some great opportunities for the Boort forwards. Boort added three goals for the quarter and restricted the Bulls to just one major in this term to take a ten point lead to the last change.
The final quarter saw both sides match scores for the term which gave Boort the ten point buffer over the Bulls at full time and this win gave Boort three wins in a row a far cry from last year where they failed to record a win. This is a great result for the club with many of their locals gaining valuable experience with the quality of recruits they have injected into their team and the future looks bright. For the Bulls their season will show better results in the coming weeks as the new players start to jell together. In their past games they have put themselves in a winning position only to let the four points slip from their grasp.
Boort’s better players included James Orr, Jack Baker, Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Riley Lehmann, Keiran Wilson and Aaron Wilson. For the Bulls their best included Monteith, Doble, Sirett, Ratcliffe, Walsh and first gamer Joe Reid.
Final scores Boort 9-10=64 defeated Birchip-Watchem 8-6=54
Next week
Birchip-Watchem v Donald
St Arnaud v Wedderburn
Wycheproof-Narraport v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers
Charlton v Boort
Last Modified on 16/05/2016 12:19
