WANDELLA have moved into third place in Golden Rivers football after defeating local rivals Murrabit by 49 points in another bruising, end-to-end encounter away from home.
While the weekend’s rain held off all day, Murrabit’s ground was damp throughout with patches of water and mud for players to deal with.
The Bombers played to the conditions well, sending the ball long to their tall targets down the line and cutting out the short disposal that could force them into early turnovers.
Bombers coach Justin Robinson praised his onballers, who gave his side the upper hand around the contest.
“We just wanted to be tough at the ball all game, we wanted to get our heads over the ball and get to the footy first,” he said.
“If you get there first, you’re either going to get the ball out or get a free kick.
“I think we used our hands pretty well today, and just moved the footy that bit better.”
Robinson was impressed by young “bull” Nathan Boysen, who won the hard ball and moved it forward expertly.
“He works so hard to get the footy, and then once he’s got it he keeps working hard to evade a couple and shrug off opponents,” Robinson said.
“He’s really dangerous when he’s got ball in hand, so we love getting it to him, he’s got that unreal left foot that seemingly always hits a target.
“I think he, Russell Rich and Kaine O’Connell are three of the hardest players in this league.
“Russ is a league medallist for a reason, and Kaine can really lay a tackle.”
The defensive back six of each team did well to repel opposition attacks.
Jacob Wade was the pick of Murrabit’s back line and Tim Robinson was excellent for Wandella.
Justin Robinson kicked four goals, while midfielder O’Connell had three.
Jack Shannahan and Nathan O’Toole impressed in the midfield for Murrabit, while John Cooper and Jack Radcliffe provided Wandella with great run.
Murrabit coach Jack Shannahan said the game was won by the side willing to go in harder at the contested ball.
“As brutal as it might sound, Wandella were just tougher than us,” he said.
“With the conditions the way they were, we just needed to roll the sleeves up and get our hands dirty and we weren’t able to do that.
“They beat us on the inside, they beat us on the outside, and it’s pretty hard to win the game when that’s happening.
“Our back six were probably the part of the team that were keeping us in it for a lot of that game until they ran away with it.
“We were just unable to put that scoreboard pressure back on them.”
Hay remain the only undefeated side in the league, after grinding their way to a hard-fought, defensive, 17-point win over Ultima.
In a re-match of last year’s grand final, the two sides combined for just eight goals.
Kept scoreless in the first term, and after the scoreboard was at 32-9 at three-quarter-time, Ultima woke up in the final term.
The Roos threw everything they had at Hay, kicking two goals to one as they tried to hit the front.
Midfielders Jacob Watson and Jack Cattanach impressed for the Lions, while Joel Crocker and skipper Brad Pocock were strong in defence.
The Roos half-forwards slogged it out for the match, giving their all to win the ball higher up the ground.
Matt Taverna and coach Kyle Symons impressed for Ultima.
An early surge wasn’t enough for Moulamein’s first win of the season, despite leading Macorna by a goal at half-time.
The Tigers quickly found their stride, piling on eight goals in the second half and keeping the Swans goalless.
Half-forward Tristan McIntosh starred for the Tigers, kicking six goals. Sam Whinfield, Oscar Don and Fergus Bear also impressed.
The Swans’ best players included Rodney Reeves, Mark Drotsky, Morgan Turvey and William Gibson.
