THE back and forth battle for third place on the Golden Rivers football ladder continues, with Wandella reclaiming the spot after their hard-fought win over Moulamein.
Taking on the Bombers away from home, the Swans jumped out of the gates from the opening bounce to carry a one-point lead at both the quarter and half time breaks.
Each side weathered ferocious attacks the ball flying from end to end in quick succession, and giving defenders little respite.
The narrow lead wouldn’t last long into the second half though, Wandella finding their footing quickly to regain the upper hand.
While the Swans remained within reach of the Bombers throughout the game, Wandella were able to kick away in the second half and win by 22 points.
Russell Rich was again integral to the fightback – the hard-nosed midfielder showing great desperation to win the difficult ball and get the game back on his side’s terms.
Once the ball was extracted, Logan Keighran provided a strong link between midfield and the Bombers’ forward line from centre half-forward.
Keighran was the game’s leading goalkicker with four goals, ensuring the Bombers had a strong forward target in the absence of their leading goal-kicker Justin Robinson.
But it wasn’t just one multiple goal-kicker for the Bombers, with Jayden Crellin, James Hipwell, Michael Rowe and Darren Rushton all finishing the game with two goals.
Rushton and Laing Waddingham both put in strong showings from around the 50-meter arcs, while wingman Jack Radcliffe and Kaine O’Connell both continued their strong form.
Defenders Jayden Haeusler and Hunter Hartland performed admirably in the Swans backline, while the ruck and rover connection between Heath Moloney and Rodney Reeves gets better each week.
Moloney, who kicked two goals, was one of three multiple goalkickers for the Swans, with Mark Drotsky and James White each finishing with three goals to their names.
With the Bombers bringing their season record to four wins and four losses, they now sit a game clear of Macorna with a stronger percentage.
The Tigers percentage took a big hit over the weekend, as they were on the end of a 170-point loss at the hands of undefeated ladder leaders and reigning premiers Hay.
Hay were almost unstoppable at both ends of their fortress-like home ground, piling on 12 goals in the first half while keeping Macorna scoreless.
The win was headlined by the return of key forward Declan Watson, who took no time getting back on the scoreboard with a huge bag of 12 goals.
Watson’s overhead marking ability provided the main outlet for the Lions’ inside-50s, pulling down marks and slotting goals from around the Hay forward 50.
The haul places Watson back atop the league’s goalkicking ladder, with 29 in his five matches – 5 goals more than his nearest chaser in three less games.
Co-skipper Kenneth Jubb claimed a bag of his own, kicking five goals from centre half-forward, while young guns Jensen Hargreaves and Jack Headon kicked three and two goals respectively.
Jacob Watson also finished the game with two goals from his on-ball position, showing a strong connection between the Lions midfield and forwards, Jack Cattanach putting in another superb showing.
Under intense pressure for much of the game, Macorna’s defence fought hard, with Travis Mercadante, Xavier Wishart and Malcolm Neiwand three of the Tiger’s better performers.
Ruckman Reegan O’Rourke battled all game, as did Ryan Dee and John Officer who were also impressive for Macorna.
But the Lions never let up and instead sunk the claws into Macorna, ten last quarter goals to the Tiger’s one putting the final nails in the 28-goal victory.
While Murrabit will be disappointed with the 44-point loss to second placed Ultima, the margin could have been even bigger had the Roos brought their kicking boots.
Ultima managed a staggering 12 goals and 24 behinds from their 36 scoring shots, kicking 4.13 in the second half after kicking away to a 25-point lead at half time.
The Blues were unable to venture forward with the ferocity of Ultima but were able to kick their goals when they had the opportunity.
Coach Jack Shannahan was the main threat for the Blues in his return, finishing as Murrabit’s only multiple goal-kicker with four goals for the game.
Samuel Copland was named the Blues best from his spot on the half-back line, with consistent performers Nathan O’Toole, Tobie Cameron and Ryan Manning also impressive.
At the other end of the field, Ultima players continued peppering the goals, with Kade Benfield leading the Roos with three goals.
Benfield was one of five Ultima multiple goal-kickers, Zac Cattlin, Ryan Devereux, Matt Taverna and Corey Grey all kicking two.
Grey, Darcy Farrell, Cameron Johnson, Lincoln Frost, Edward Kuchel and Jye Purtill made up the Roos’ best.
