Birchip-Watchem’s good form continued in round twelve when they defeated second placed Donald. The Bulls win now sees them enter the top four for the first time since round one and to play only one side above them in the remaining weeks their chances of retaining a place in the top four looks a strong chance. Boort has dropped their guard and has lost their last three matches and will need to pick their game up if they wish to get back into finals contention. Boort’s opposition in Charlton made a welcome return to form with their twenty eight points win and now they have returned to second spot on the ladder and has a strong chance to retain that post with only four matches to go.
Sea Lake Nandaly had a good go at upsetting the undefeated Wycheproof-Narraport and only for a bad second quarter may have got over the line and kept their finals hopes alive but after this loss their chances are slowly slipping away. At Wedderburn last year’s premiers in St Arnaud recorded their third win for the year over a disappointing Wedderburn who’s form in recent weeks looked to have them in a good spot to record their second win but they were outplayed by the Saints who had Nick Coghlan kick another bag of eight goals to bring his tally in the last four games to twenty seven goals and he is now just eight behind in the race for the leading goal scorer for the year.
Sea Lake v Wycheproof-Narraport
Sea Lake Nandaly came out with all guns firing in the opening term against the ladder leaders Wycheproof-Narraport Demons. Brad Collins got the Tigers away with the first goal of the game in the early minutes of the game. Mikal Bloom also got into the act and posted their second goal while they held the Demons scoreless, midway through the term Summerhayes kicked their third goal and the Tigers chances of causing an upset looked well on the cards even at this early stage in the game. Then as good sides do the Demons picked themselves up and set about getting themselves back into the game and James Coatsworth was the instigator with two much needed goals and deep into the first quarter Jason Coles squared the ledger with the Demons third goal and the sides went to the first break locked together.
In the second term James Coatsworth put the Demons in front with his third goal only to see under sixteens player Brodie Weir goal for the Tigers and level the scores up again. From this point on it was the Demons who took control of the game as they registered the next five goals without a response from the Tigers. Sea Lake Nandaly could only add minor scores and went to the half time break trailing Wycheproof-Narraport by thirty three points. It was disappointing for the Tigers not to continue the form the produced in the opening half of the first quarter where they gave strong indications that they were in for the fight against the top side and to only manage the one major score in the term was not what they had hoped for.
The long break and a few words of encouragement to the Tigers players appeared to work as the started to regain some respectability on the score board. In this term they were able to outscore the Demons three goals to the one goal and reduced the Demons half time lead from thirty three points back to twenty points and they were back in the game with two late goals to Angus Munro. With the Tigers back within touch of the Demons and their finals hopes riding on their effort in the final term the stage was set for a tight last quarter.
The start of the last quarter saw the Tigers get away to the perfect start with a goal to Zac Martin. From the restart the ball again went into their forward zone and Doering marked and goaled to make the margin just nine points and then the lead of the Demons was back under a goal when Brad Collins kicked their tenth goal. With the Tigers breathing down their neck the Demons found some space and Corey Jones gave the Demons a lead of just under two goals but it was just what they needed. Making one last effort to get the four points the Tigers sent the ball forward with hopes of a major score but they were denied that wish and the ball returned into the Demons forwards who sealed the game with the last two goals of the match. While the chance to play finals appears to have slipped for the Tigers in their first year in the competition things are looking pretty bright for the Wycheproof-Narraport Demons who have now won twelve games straight.
Matt Riordan was named best for the Demons with other better players being James Coatsworth, Boe Bish, Tim Holobowski, Morgan Fawcett and Josh White. Major goal kickers were Corey Jones and James Coatsworth with three goals each. For the Tigers Billy McInnes was named best with Jason Collins, Mikal Bloom, Matt Elliott, Brad Scott and Angus Munro also rating a mention for their contribution.
Final scores Wycheproof-Narraport 13-13=91 defeated Sea Lake Nandaly 10-10=70
Donald v Birchip-Watchem
This game had a lot bearing on it for both sides with a win to either side important to their prospects of a spot in the league’s top four. The opening quarter produced a top brand of football from both sides with only eight points between them and that small lead favouring the Bulls at the first break. Jack Wilson was in good form for the Bulls and posted a couple of early goals and at the other end it was the Royals Seamus Young who was causing the Bulls some havoc in the opening term.
In the second quarter the game remained tight and the Royals made every effort to get rid of that small quarter time deficit and they was able to reduce the Bulls lead back to just the four points at the main break. With both backlines under a fair amount of pressure they were constantly in the game as both sides tried to break through and establish a break that didn’t come for either side.
In the third quarter Donald hit some form and looked a better side than they were in the first half. The Royals got that break they were looking for and with some major scores resulting they got out to lead by over two goals midway into the third term. Birchip-Watchem then rallied to bring the game back to near level par before the Royals was again able to add a couple of goals to give them an eight point led at the last break in play.
With the game very much in the balance in the final quarter both sides was keen to get the four points and they both had a fair bit riding on the outcome. Birchip-Watchem was the side that got that break and it didn’t take them long to wipe off the eight point lead that the Royals took to the last break. Wilson was again in the action and was getting good support from Charlie Hallam as the Bulls made constant entries into their forward line for positive results. The Bulls added five goals for the quarter and were strong in their defence only allowing the Donald side the one major score. With a final four position on offer for the Bulls they run the game out better than Donald to record a three goal win. This win to the Bulls was rewarded with entry into the top four for the first time since the opening round of the 2016 season. For Donald they have again handed the second spot back to the Charlton Navy Blues and have dropped to third as they head to the bye next week.
Bull’s best players were Jack Wilson, Michael Monteith, Lochie Sirett, Jack Wilson, Joe Reid and Sean Hogan. Major goal scorer for the Bulls was Jack Wilson with five and Charlie Hallam with four. Best for Donald were Brodie Haddow, Sam Dunstan, Nick Garner, Ross Young, Toby Gilmour and Brayden Tonkin with Seamus Young being their leading goal kicker with five.
Final scores Birchip-Watchem 15-13=103 defeated Donald 13-7= 85.
Boort v Charlton
Charlton got away to a better start than the Magpies in the opening term and was able to establish a handy break by midway through the term Boort was unsuccessful in their efforts to halt the run of the Navy Blues who carried some good form into this game. Charlton had winners at both ends of the ground with Gunn and Joe McGrath in good form up forward and Sandiford and Sait were solid down back. At the first stoppage in play the Navy Blues had established a four goal lead.
In the second term Boort showed a bit of improvement in their game and was able to get some positive results for their good work. Tim Rhook and Cam Chalmers were the key instigators in Boort’s revival and by the end of the quarter they had reduced the Navy Blues lead back by about a goal to trail by nineteen points at half time.
Boort continued their good form from the second term to add five goals for the quarter but the Navy Blues was able to nearly match the Magpies and went to three quarter time still holding a lead of about three goals. Boort worked hard for their goals while Charlton had the ball in the forward line on a regular basis and could have sealed the game in this term but was a bit off target with some of their shots at goals but they still looked the better side heading to the final break.
Charlton holding that three goal margin over the Magpies didn’t take long to extend their lead with McGrath again in the action kicking two last quarter goals for a tally of four and Gunn also popped up with his fourth goal in this quarter to match Joe McGraths total. Charlton run out winners over the Magpies by twenty eight points and have regained second spot on the ladder the position they appear to be alternating with Donald on a regular basis. For Boort the loss has cost them a spot in the top four and they will have to produce some improvement in the final four matches to regain a chance to play finals. Charlton named Kieran Sait as their best with Jye Sandiford, Shane Rogan, Codi Gunn, Luke Mulquiny and Tom Nicolson also being named as better players. Boort’s best was Brodie Leonard-Shannon with Cam Chalmers, Aaron Wilson, Joe Kane, Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Jack Baker rating a mention.
Final scores Charlton 14-8=92 defeated Boort 10-4=64
Wedderburn v St Arnaud
In the game between seventh placed St Arnaud and eighth placed Wedderburn this game was not going to reach any great heights and it had very little riding on it apart from bragging rights. St Arnaud was a little better set up than the Redbacks and this was the reason they was able to take a sixteen point lead to the first break. St Arnaud kicked four goals to Wedderburn’s two in the opening term.
The second quarter belonged to the Saints as they held the Redbacks goalless and went on their merry way to post six goals and extend their lead out to just under ten goals by half time. There was a fair bit of feeling creeping into the game and the lack of control that both central umpires had over the game was a contributing factor towards these incidents. Nick Coghlan was giving a top display up forward for the Saints and kicked three goals in the quarter and the Redbacks had no answer to his dominance.
In the third quarter the Redbacks did strike back a little to outscore the Saints but they were still fifty points adrift of the Saints. Nathan Holt was leading the Redbacks revival and had a hand in a couple of the Redbacks goals in this quarter. Both sides continued to get frustrated with the umpires decisions or lack of and to this point there had not been one holding the ball decision paid. Heading to the three quarter time break the Saints were in a winning position and in no danger of defeat but their improved form might have reached them a little late to benefit them but they will cause some sides a headache in the remaining rounds.
The last term just seen the two sides run out the game in what had been a fairly physical game between two sides that were keen to get the ball. St Arnaud’s lead got out to fifty three points by full time with the highlight of the day being Nick Coghlans effort up forward finishing the day with eight goals. Wedderburn’s multiple goal scores were Nathan Holt and Ben DeAraugo with two each.
Named best for St Arnaud was Gav Vassallo with other to get a mention being Nick Coghlan, James McNamee, Toby Pickthall, Kurt Torney and Sam Dyke. Best for Wedderburn was Daniel Gash with others mentioned as better players being Corey Lowry, Ben and Jacob DeAraugo, Nathan Holt and Andrew Brett.
Final scores St Arnaud 16-18=114 defeated Wedderburn 8-13=61
Next Week (Start of Split round)
Birchip-Watchem v Wedderburn
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v St Arnaud
Teams with the bye
Boort, Charlton, Donald and Wycheproof-Narraport
Last Modified on 14/08/2016 18:26