MACORNA snapped an 11-match losing streak and moved off the bottom of the Golden Rivers Football League ladder following an 183-point win against Wakool.
In what was the club’s first win since round 15 last year, Daniel Edwards (eight goals) and Ricki Waters (six goals) helped the home side secure its first points of the season by the main break.
The Hawks – who went into the game without spearhead Luke Kirkland in its first match since the resignation of coach, Stephen Arthur due to work commitments – were no match for the Tigers, conceding seven goals to one in the opening term, then a further 12 goals to one in the second quarter.
The Tiger processions continued in the second half, with the hosts kicking 12 goals to one in the final hour of play.
Thirteen Macorna players kicked at least one goal for the match, with Edwards, Waters and Lachlan Allison (three goals) either matching or surpassing Wakool’s team total off their own boot.
Wakool’s three goals came from individual goalkickers – Matthew Landini, Ben Marris and Joel Webb – with the side now ninth on the ladder thanks to a nine-match losing streak.
Sam Ayre and Waters were best on ground for the Tigers, with Joe Thompson and Daniel Green leading the way for the Hawks.
Macorna will look to record consecutive wins this weekend against Moulamein, with the Hawks to host Nullawil
Maroons shake up ladder
NULLAWIL’S 71-point win against Ultima has shaken up the battle for the finals with six rounds remaining in the home and away season.
The Maroons set up their seventh win of the season with a seven-goal to one opening term, opening up a 40-point lead at the first break.
Although the former competition leaders reduced the deficit to 36 points at the main break, seven goal to one in the third secured a win for the hosts.
Kal Heslop (seven goals) and Andrew Oberdorfer (six goals) dominated for the Maroons, who remain fourth on the ladder, but have a one-win advantage and a far superior percentage over defending premiers, Murrabit – who had the bye at the weekend.
Ryan Devereux (three goals) was Ultima’s sole multiple goalkicker, with the loss – the club’s second in the space of three weeks – dropping last season’s grand finalists to second on the ladder.
Oberdorfer and Daniel Watts were best on ground for the Maroons, with Stuart Polkinghorne and Luke Kelson playing well for Ultima.
Nullawil will travel to Wakool this weekend, with the ‘Roos hosting Murrabit in a rematch of the 2016 grand final.
Lions dent Saints’ hopes
HAY is one win off a second semi-final position following a 44-point win against Quambatook.
In an all-round performance for the Lions, the competition’s northernmost team retains a one-win advantage over fourth-place Nullawil, but is one win and a significant percentage gap off top spot.
The loss – the Saints’ fifth of the season – leaves Tim Free’s side two wins outside the top four with six games remaining.
Inaccurate kicking hampered Quambatook’s cause during the first three quarters. Despite holding a one-point lead at quarter time, the visitors found themselves 13 points behind at half-time.
Hay increased its margin to 14 points with one term remaining – with the Saints registering eight goals from 20 scoring shots up to this point of the match compared to the Lions’ 11 goals from 19 scoring opportunities – befoe the hosts kicked five goals to one in the final quarter to secure the win.
Shayne Kennedy (four goals) was one of four Lions to kick at least one goal in the game, with Chris Kendall (five goals) booting more than half of the Saints’ goals for the match.
Ben Arandt and Dean Aylett were best on ground for Hay, with Kendall and Jack Baker playing well for the Saints.
Hay has the bye this weekend before a July 22 clash with Wandella in a key match for the top-two hopes of both sides, whilst Quambatook faces a must-win game against the Bombers this Saturday.
Bombers on top
WANDELLA moved to top spot on the GRFL ladder following an 82-point win against Moulamein.
Paul Grayling (six goals) dominate for the hosts, who climbed up one rung following Ultima’s loss to Nullawil.
The win continued the Bombers’ decade-long dominance against the Swans, as well as a long-standing home ground advantage over the New South Wales-based team.
The hosts opened up a 20-point lead at quarter time, which extended to 53 points by the main break.
The third term was low scoring in comparison, with inaccurate kicking hurting Wandella’s hopes of building on its percentage, but a five-goal to two final quarter helped the club’s percentage exceed 200 per cent.
Tim and Troy Robinson were best on ground for the Bombers, who face Quambatook this weekend
Bryce Scott and Cody Storm were the Swans’ best players, who host Macorna.
