MACORNA remains the only undefeated Golden Rivers Football League side after the Tigers defeated Hay by 26 points on Saturday.
Both sides went into the game looking to keep their perfect season going, and it was the Lions who controlled the match early, kicking two of the opening three goals of the game.
The Tigers bounced back to take the lead, then open up a 13-point gap at the first break.
Macorna’s home ground advantage helped the club in the second term, with the Tigers kicking four goals to two to extend the lead to 27 points at half-time.
The Lions mounted a fightback in the third term, kicking the only two goals of the quarter to reduce the margin to 15 points, yet the Tigers booted three of the final four goals of the game to move to 3-0.
Wayne Mitrovic, Brett Collins, Ethan Tibbles and Brett O’Hanlon kicked two goals each for the Tigers, with Taylor Williamson (three goals) leading the way for the Lions.
Sam Anstey and Matt Ladson were best on ground for Macorna, with Michael Dedini and Angus McSweyn playing well for Hay.
Macorna faces Wandella away from home in a tough round four encounter this weekend, with the Lions to host Quambatook in a rematch of last season’s preliminary final.
Premiers’ form grows
ULTIMA remain one game off top spot on the ladder following a 20-point win against Murrabit on Saturday in a see-sawing encounter.
The reigning premiers looked in control of the game early, thanks to a 17-point quarter time lead, before the Blues switched on in the second term.
Nathan Henry – who played his first match this season – led the revival, with the Blues kicking seven of the nine goals in the quarter to lead by 13 points at the main break.
Ultima responded in the third term, keeping the Blues goalless and adding three majors of their own to lead by 10 points at the final break.
A four goals to two final quarter ensured the ‘Roos won its first match at home this season.
Ultima coach, Jack O’Rourke, spearhead Basil Althouse and Tom Bull kicked two goals each for the victors, with Henry and Tom Hetherington booting three majors each for the Blues.
Former E.G. Hunt Medallists, Tom Isma and Luke O’Toole were best on ground for Ultima, with Josh Dwyer and Bryden Morison playing well for the Blues.
Ultima travels to Nullawil this weekend, with Murrabit to host the winless Moulamein.
Maroons add to Saints’ pain
NULLAWIL moved to third on the Golden Rivers Football League ladder following a 66-point win against 2015 grand finalists, Quambatook.
The game shaped as a critical encounter for both teams following losses the previous weekend.
The home side received a blow before the match with Ricky Jochinke ruled out due to injury, but the Saints challenged the Maroons early on.
Quambatook was getting on top through the clearances, but lacked the depth that Nullawil had across the ground.
One player who was prevalent in this was Luke Jackson, who was clearly the Saints’ best player and arguably the best man on the ground in a losing side. His workfare was phenomenal and with limited support he kept his team in it with a fanatical attack on the ball.
Matt Harrop stood out for the Maroons when it was needed, leading the way in a 20-minute patch in the second term that saw the visitors kick nine goals and seal the result.
Nathan Leane was prevalent in the ruck for the visitors, providing plenty of ball for Daniel Watts and Harrop, with Kal Heslop leading the way at full forward to set up a 62-point lead at th main break.
To the Saints’ credit, the home team turned the second half into an arm wrestle and didn’t let the Maroons blow the margin away.
They had a few winners on the day, with Patrick Rattray valuable with five goals. Tobie Cameron worked hard on a wing and Gregor Knight tried hard, but it was just too hard to make any imprint into the margin.
Harrop continued to run amok, Jack Barry was his ever present self around the ground, and Matt Poyner was hard at the ball, crashing packs and winning hard ball.
Nullawil hosts reigning premiers, Ultima this weekend, with the Saints needing to win at Hay to keep in touch with the top four.
Bombers bounce back
WANDELLA put the club’s round two loss to Ultima behind it on Saturday, defeating Moulamein by 60 points.
The Swans challenged the Bombers throughout the opening half, but struggled to maintain the intensity for the remainder of the match.
Wandella held a four-point lead at quarter time, which the Bombers extended to 17 points at the main break.
The visitors set up their second win of the season on the back of a six goals to two third term, followed up by a five goals to three final quarter.
Wandella coach, Paul Grayling led the way for the victors, kicking four goals and being the best player on the ground.
The new recruit received support from Clinton Cummins Callaghan Gray and Greg Dickson, who all kicked three goals each, as well as from Tim Robinson.
Xavia Elford booted three of Moulamein’s 11 goals, with John Bennett and Ben Buxton the Swans’ best players.
Wandella hosts Macorna in the match of the round this weekend, with the Swans to travel to Murrabit.
