DEFENDING Golden Rivers Football League premiers, Murrabit remain in the battle for a finals spot following a scare from Moulamein on Saturday.
The Blues kicked five of the last six goals of the match to defeat the seventh-placed Swans by five points.
The win – as well as Hay’s 62-point win against Macorna – leaves the Blues and Lions equal on nine wins for the season, with the competition’s northernmost side moving back into the top four thanks to a percentage difference of 0.25 per cent.
Going into the match as favourites to produce a seventh consecutive win against the Swans, Murrabit showed its strength in the opening quarter, holding a seven-point lead at the first change of ends.
Moulamein rallied in the second term, kicking five goals to one to hold a 19-point lead at the main break.
The visitors continued to hold off the Blues in the third term, with the side on the verge of breaking a nine-year losing run at the Murrabit Recreation Reserve.
However, the hosts rallied in the final term, with key players Nathan Henry – who finished with five goals for the match – and Bryden Morison leading the way.
Morison, Justin McConnell (two goals) and ruckman, Andrew Spitty were best on ground for the hosts, with Matthew Battenally, Ethan Saville (three goals) and Max Baldissera playing well for the Swans.
Murrabit will look to move back into the top four this weekend with a win against sixth-placed Quambatook, with the Swans to host Ultima.
Lions climb
HAY moved back into the GRFL top four following a 62-point win against Macorna in a match that saw both sides kick inaccurately at goal.
Jackson Ferguson, Max Perrignon and Taylor Williamson each kicked three goals for the Lions, who booted 18 goals from 49 scoring shots.
It was a similar situation for the Tigers, with Michael Rowe and Daniel Edwards kicking two goals each for the hosts – who managed eight goals from 27 scoring attempts.
The Tigers held a six-point lead at quarter time, but were kept scoreless in the second term as the Lions kicked eight goals from 17 scoring attempts to hold a 51-point lead at the main break.
Inaccurate kicking cost Macorna the chance to re-enter the match in the third quarter, with the side kicking three goals from 11 scoring attempts to trail by 57 points with one term to play.
Hay managed to kick one extra goal than the Tigers in the final quarter to confirm a percentage-boosting win.
Williamson, Angus McSweyn and Jermaine Dixon were best on ground for the Lions, with Jessi Lampi, Peter Wishart and Marcus McKenner playing well for Macorna.
Hay will host Nullawil this weekend in a must-win game for both sides, whilst the Tigers travel to Wandella.
Maroons closing
NULLAWIL moved to one win of competition leaders, Wandella – which had the bye last weekend – thanks to a 107-point win against Quambatook.
Andrew Oberdorfer and Kal Heslop – who kicked four goals each – dominated for the hosts, who have the most superior percentage in the competition.
The Maroons held the Saints to one behind in the opening term to open up a 46-point lead at quarter time, which extended by one point in the second quarter after the hosts booted one goal and nine behinds.
The lead extended to 78 points in the third quarter, with the Saints held to four behinds in the final term.
Jake Maher (three goals), Rhys Thompson and Zac Kelly were best on ground for the hosts, with Jason Linke, Ash Davis and Gregor Knight playing well for Quambatook.
The Maroons face a must-win clash at Hay this weekend, with the Saints to host Murrabit.
‘Roos too strong
ULTIMA held Wakool goalless for three quarters last Saturday on the way to a 191-point win.
Jagger Wardle kicked the Hawks’ only goal for the match in the first term, with the visitors’ only score after the opening break coming in the final quarter.
The ‘Roos led by 45 points at quarter time and 83 points at the main break, before a nine-goal blitz in the third term extended the lead to 154 points.
Joshua Stone (seven goals), Ryan Devereux (five goals) and Matthew O’Toole (five goals) led the way for the hosts, with 10 Ultima players kicking at least one goal in the win.
Devereux, Zachary Nichols and Kyle Symons were best on ground for the victors, with Matthew Landini, Jackson Lowry and Travis Hollingworth standing out for the Hawks.
Ultima will travel to Moulamein this weekend, with the Hawks to have the bye.
