By RHYS WOOSNAM - Division 3 Seniors
ROUND 9 of the WRFL saw a couple of thumpings paired with a couple of close encounters. As we draw closer to the pointy of the end season, every team is searching for those vital wins to lift spirits and garner momentum.
Ladder-leaders Parkside faced a difficult contest, thanks to Sunshine Heights and their never say die attitude.
It was a back and forth match, with only a couple of goals separating the sides at the half.
Parkside were helped once again by a tremendous effort from spearhead Jason Cloke who booted 10 goals. The former Magpie was the difference in the end, as despite all of Sunshine Heights’ effort, Parkside held on for a 24-point victory.
The win saw Parkside hold onto their top spot on the ladder as well as their perfect record of nine wins from as many starts. They now have a handy six point lead over second placed Wyndham Suns, and will look to increase that advantage when they face the Suns in Round 10.
For Sunshine Heights, it was a game that will instil confidence in the squad, as they took it right up to the premiership favourites. They will now look forward to a clash with Sanctuary Lakes as a chance to launch a challenge for the top four.
One positive they will take away is their ability to find different avenues to goal, as they had five multiple goal kickers on the weekend.
The other tight clash in Round 9 saw North Sunshine come from behind to defeat Braybrook by 15-points.
The Bombers held the ascendancy almost all day and got out to as much as a five goal lead, before the Roadrunners chased them down.
It was a second half blitz, as North Sunshine kicked 11 goals to four, displaying their excellent gut running and scoring ability.
Brenton Cooper was best on ground for the victors, kicking three goals and being a major asset in the comeback win. For Braybrook, Heath Hunter kicked four and Jamie Lane chipped in with three.
The win comes at a perfect time for the Roadrunners as they look to consolidate their top four spot with their cross suburb rivals snapping at their heels. Next week’s game against cellar dwellers Laverton shapes as a chance to add some much needed percentage to their tally.
Elsewhere, Tarneit easily accounted for the Sharks by 94-points in a one sided contest. Inaccuracy kept it from being a bigger margin, as Tarneit kicked 1 goal 7 in the first quarter.
The final match of Round 9 saw the Wyndham Suns put Laverton to the sword. It was a tremendous and brutal performance that sets up next week’s top of the table clash. They defeated Laverton by 144-points with Daniel Hovey kicking nine goals.
MAGPIES STILL UNDEFEATED AT HALF-WAY POINT OF THE SEASON
By BEN CARDWELL
As we move into the second half of the Division 3 reserves season, the reigning premiers Parkside are still undefeated through nine games.
The Magpies claimed a comfortable victory over Sunshine Heights at home on the weekend, sharing the ball around and using 12 different goal kickers on the road to their 68-point win.
A big five goal second quarter to Parkside gave them a large lead early which they built on through the second half.
Sunshine Heights struggled to score throughout the first three quarters, kicking just three goals.
Heights showed run at times, but repeatedly allowed Parkside to pass short within their attacking 50 to find easier set shots.
In a thrilling turn of events at Dempster Park, Braybrook claimed their first premiership points since 2015 after their game against North Sunshine ended in the competition’s first draw of the season.
The Roadrunners held a lead at every break until the final siren, but a stronger second half from the Bombers saw both teams on 56 points at the end of the game.
This breaks Braybrook’s 27-game losing streak, however they’ll still yet to find their first win since July of 2015, also against North Sunshine.
In Tarneit, the Titans allowed Sanctuary Lakes to score just two goals for the game, beating the Sharks by 107-points. The strong win keeps Tarneit right behind Parkside on the ladder, and they’ll have to make sure they stay there if they want to give themselves a chance at the minor premiership.
At Goddard Reserve, Wyndham handed Laverton their eighth loss of the season. Three Suns players outscored Laverton by themselves, with the Magpies only managing just two goals. Daniel Moten kicked both for Laverton, as Wyndham blew the game out in a dominating 114-point win.
Next week, Braybrook will be looking for a big scalp when they host Tarneit at home, while the out-of-form North Sunshine and Laverton will play in Laverton. Parkside will try to continue undefeated against the Suns, while Sunshine Heights will look to keep clear of the bottom of the pack when they take on Sanctuary Lakes.
Last Modified on 19/06/2017 13:38