17 April 2021
THE UNOFFICIAL MATCH REPORT
To say there was an air of excited anticipation leading into the season opener at Rudall would be a massive understatement. With COVID all but behind us people were out in droves; the line up at the gate stretched all the way back to the Birdseye Highway at one point.
People came from everywhere....even Shannon Cartier was watching. The last time big Zooty Zwar was at the footy Russell Ebert kicked 2 goals from centre and was BOG for the Magpies in their Grand Final victory over Glenelg.
By the time the B Grade started, the grounds were fuller than Snook Haines at Wood-duck Beinke’s buckshow.
In a break from the norm, and a nice precedent setting touch, opposing stalwarts Ian Burton (Ranges) and Gus May (Storm) were invited to toss the coin for the A Grade.
With a name like May, you are gunna find it hard to win a toss in April - and that’s how it played out - In perfect conditions for footy, Ranges elected to kick to the Silo end.
The game as expected began at a frenetic pace and for a long time it looked like a goal-less first quarter beckoned; until the umpires intervened with a couple of free kicks that resulted in goals.
Kane Sampson bent one back from the point post boundary that would've looked good on the big screen at Marvel Stadium, whilst at the other end Pat Jenner converted with a regulation drop punt.
For my money, Adam Hurrell dominated the first half; blessed with great ball sense and a sublime left leg he is going to be a joy to watch as the season unfolds.
Ranges added a brace of quick goals to open the 2nd quarter but that early freedom was soon reined in with Hayden Heath leading the way for the Storm.
At the other end of the ground the visiting crowd rose as one to ride a Clint Winter bomb from the 50m arc only to be denied by Grinch Whitecoat Du Bois who ruled it hit the post???
By half time Ranges had a 21 point margin, which was handy in a low scoring game.
The second half was pretty much a repeat of the first, the tackle counts would have been through the roof. The pressure on the man with the ball was relentless but class players in Jack and Jess Kenny, Dean Storic, Adam Hurrell and Rissole Beinke broke the shackles often enough to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
In the end Ranges eeked out a 51 point win, with major goal scorers being Jack Kenny (3), Pat Jenner (3) and Riley Evans (2). Aside from previously mentioned players solid contributors for Ranges included Brent Gray, Hank Burton and Sean Seeley.
For the Storm Clint Winter (3) and Kane Sampson who has been recast as a forward also kicked 3. Their better players on the day included Hayden Heath, Jessie Stringer, Corey Waters and Jared Sampson.
With as many as 4 or 5 first choice players yet to debut for the Storm I’m sure the return clash at Kyancutta on May 22nd will be eagerly anticipated by all.
Earlier in the day Ranges had an easy win in the Junior Colts and in the B Grade; where enough young legs and old heads combined to create a 42 point win.
The Seniors Colts went the way of the Storm who on the back of players of the ilk of Jack Petty and Jake Mullen, slowly but surely turned a 16 point 1/4 time deficit into a 9 point victory
Last Modified on 18/04/2021 20:54