REIGNING Golden Rivers Football League premiers, Ultima moved to second on the ladder after proving too strong for Quambatook in Saturday’s grand final rematch.
The ‘Roos prevailed by 16 points in what looked to be before the match a one-sided affair for the home side.
However, the Saints – who are 0-5 this season – put in their most spirited performance this year, with the result in the balance throughout the match.
The home side led at every break, with the margin hovering between 14 points and 24 points throughout the game.
Adam Hunter, who finished with four goals starred in front of goal for the home side in the absence of Basil Althouse.
Zavia McPhee played his best game for the Saints, kicking four goals amongst a group of nine players who registered majors on the day.
Jacob Schaper and Benedict Mahon were best on ground for Ultima, with Ricky Jochinke and Luke Jackson leading the way for the Saints.
Ultima will host Hay this weekend, with Quambatook looking for its first win of the season when the side hosts the winless Moulamein.
Wandella kicks away
A SEVEN-GOAL third quarter blitz helped Wandella produce a 72-point win against Hay, keeping the Bombers on top of the ladder.
Bombers coach, Paul Grayling kicked 10 of the home side’s 20 goals to move his season tally to 29 after five rounds.
The first half of the match was an enthralling contest, with the margin remaining around the 10-point mark for most of the opening hour of the game.
Wandella blew the game open in the third term, kicking seven goals to one to extend its four-point advantage at half-time to 43 points at the final change.
The rout continued in the final term, with the Bombers kicking eight of the last 11 goals of the game to record a fourth win of the season.
Grayling and fellow new recruits, Greg Dickson and Justin Wilson, dominated for the home side, who travel to Murrabit this weekend.
Taylor Williamson and Daniel Edwards kicked two goals each for the Lions, who travel to Utlima on Saturday.
Maroons run over Swans
NULLAWIL fought back from a one-point half-time deficit to defeat winless Golden Rivers Football League side, Moulamein by 30 points at the weekend.
Missing several of their best 21 players, the Maroons were left lagging as the home side flew out of the blocks early with a fierce attack on the ball and ability to break the lines.
Led by Xavia Elford, and Jim Degregorio, the Swans backed their ability to take risks with the football. This style of play enabled Chris Domaille to dominate in the midfield, with Pat Caldwell proving to be dangerous down forward.
Despite being down by 14 points at quarter time, the Maroons upped the intensity in the second term, with Daniel Watts leading by example.
Watts won a significant amount of clearances and imposed himself to get the visitors back into the game.
With Kal Heslop and Reece Poyner dangerous down forward, the Maroons kicked four goals to two to be one point behind the Swans at the main break.
The third term saw the openness disappear, with low scoring and high numbers around the stoppages becoming common.
The Maroons were able to find a way to get the ball to Heslop and Poyner, who were able to turn the match around and give the visitors a 15-point advantage at the final break.
Kyle Doran and Brad Murray also played their role, keeping the home side goalless after the main break.
A further four goals to two in the final quarter sealed Nullawil’s third win of the season, with the loss keeping the Swans in the bottom two.
Heslop finished with five goals for the victors, with Poyner and Scott Mathiske booting two goals each.
Caldwell and Todd McInnes kicked two goals each for the Swans, who travel to take on the winless Quambatook this weekend.
The Maroons will host Macorna in a key game for both sides prior to the AFL Victoria Community Championship break.
Accuracy helps Blues
MURRABIT moved to third on the GRFL ladder following a 79-point win against former competition leaders, Macorna.
The Blues fought back from a 23-point deficit at quarter time to lead by 17 points at the main break.
A six goal to nil third term secured the win, with the Blues leading by 49 points with one quarter to spare.
The three-quarter time scoreboard summed up the game for both teams. Up to this point of the match Macorna had one extra scoring shot, but had registered four goals from 15 attempts.
Murrabit was extremely accurate, with its 14 shots up to this point in the game all resulting in goals.
Nathan Henry kicked six goals for the visitors, bringing his season 2016 total to 16 after missing the first two rounds, whilst Macorna’s five goals came from individual goalkickers.
Andrew Spitty and Henry were best on ground for the victors, with Tristan McIntosh and Joel Dwyer playing well for the Tigers.
The loss was the Tigers’ second in a row, and has seen the club fall from first to sixth on the ladder in the past two weeks.
Macorna will look to bounce back when the club travels to Nullawil this weekend, with Murrabit to host ladder leaders, Wandella.
