WANDELLA have held off a determined Moulamein side, pinching a seven-point win in the fourth quarter to celebrate coach Justin Robinson’s 200th senior game at the club.
Robinson starred in his milestone match, quickly shaking off the rust from a knee injury that has kept him out of the Bombers’ side since round 7.
He was named the Bombers’ best, providing a key target in the forward line and standing strong against the Swans’ defence.
Starting from full forward, Robinson kicked five goals, including bursting out of the gates with the match’s first three goals.
The Swans were able to muscle their way back into the game with three goals of their own to trail by just two behinds at quarter-time.
Moulamein’s belief continued to grow, kicking four goals to three for the second quarter to carry a five-point lead into the major break.
Lachlan Prentice was the leading scorer for the Swans, with four goals and James White kicked two.
In the third term, the Swans’ momentum turned the game on its head, kicking two goals to one for the quarter and peppering the goals with an extra four behinds.
Trailing by 15 points, Wandella needed to find a way to regain their hold on the game.
While holding the Swans goalless for the final quarter, Wandella’s intense pressure forced Moulamein into a number of turnovers, allowing the scores to level with no more than 10 minutes remaining.
At 60 points apiece in the dying stages, a behind from Darren Rushton gave the Bombers the lead, before Kaine O’Connell kicked the sealer after dancing through pressure.
Wingman Connor Wilson was another of the Bombers’ best, while Jarred Schlitz and Samuel Taylor were solid in Wandella’s back line. Jayden Crellin also impressed with two goals.
Xander Hartland provided the Swans plenty of run off half-back and was named their best player, while William Gibson and Rodney Reeves contributed well at the feet of Heath Moloney.
The win moved the Bombers a game clear of fourth-placed Macorna, as the two sides battle it out for third spot with three matches left.
Thirteen was a lucky number for Hay, who claimed their 13th consecutive win with a big victory over Macorna.
Declan Watson was a standout after missing last round, kicking eight goals in the 161-point win.
It was a game of many goals for the Lions, as Jack Cattanach continued to be one of the most damaging footballers in the league with five goals.
Skipper Kenneth Jubb kicked four, Daniel Zamboni three, and Jack Heaton and Jacob Watson two each.
The Lions piled on the goals all day, fighting through an inaccurate first quarter in which they kicked eight behinds.
Bentley Murphey and Angus Gardiner provided plenty of speed in the wide areas, while ruckman James Moran and Joel Crocker off half-back were also good.
In a match with little for Macorna to cheer about, Xavier Wishart and Lachlan Ritchie presented well all day from half-forward.
Ritchie, Hunter Anset and Josh Berryman each kicked a goal, while defenders Keegan O’Rourke and Kurt Forder gave their all under immense pressure.
Ultima claimed their 11th win of the year, a 101-point victory over Murrabit.
The Blues started strong, kicking two opening term goals, but Ultima got on top to carry a nine-point lead into the first break.
From there, the Roos pulled away with staggering speed – piling on six unanswered goals before half-time to push the lead out to 46 points.
The Blues could only manage another behind for the rest of the game, with the Roos kicking 14 goals in that same time.
There wasn’t a single goalkicking star for the Roos, with Ryan Devereux, Jay Reynolds and Matt Taverna all kicking four goals, while Tom Bull and Corey Grey kicked two.
Jake Foster, Mitchell Seton-Stewart, Cameron Johnson and Matt Taverna were the best for the Roos, while Samuel Copland, Rhys Carmichael, Dean Harrop, Ryan Manning and Michael Grant were the standouts for the Blues.
The Roos will take the momentum of the big win into their top-of-the-table clash against the Lions in round 14.
