A NINE-GOAL to nil final quarter set up Wandella’s 56-point win against fellow Golden Rivers Football League finals contenders, Nullawil on Saturday.
The win entrenched the Bombers within the competition’s top three, with percentage keeping the Maroons in fourth spot after seven rounds of the season.
Dubbed as one of the games of the round prior to the opening bounce, the Maroons took advantage of kicking with the breeze in the first term.
Andrew Oberdorfer – playing his first game of the season – looked threatening across the visitors’ half-forward line, enabling Jason Cowland and Grant Ford to kick the first two goals of the game.
The Bombers were able to stabilise as the quarter went on, reducing the deficit to three points at the first break.
This set the tone for the second quarter, which saw the hosts kick five goals in the first 15 minutes of the term.
Led by coach Paul Grayling, Wandella began to control proceedings, with Justin Wilson and Daniel Baker having an influence.
The Bombers were able to also do an excellent tagging job on Nullawil midfielder Daniel Watts, with Dillan Treacy and Matt Wilkinson able to nullify the Maroons midfielder’s work ability, and stop him from having a significant influence on the game.
Greg Dickson’s goal before the siren gave the hosts a 20-point lead at half-time, but Nullawil would not give up without a fight.
Greg Dickson’s goal before the siren gave the hosts a 20-point lead at half-time, but Nullawil would not give up without a fight.
Last season’s semi-finalists mounted a comeback, locking down in defence and getting the ball to Oberdorfer, who looked threatening.
Austin Hogan and Matt Harrop were able to get their hands on the ball in the midfield, with the visitors kicking the only three goals of the quarter to reduce the deficit to two points with one term remaining.
The last quarter loomed to be exciting, but Wandella put the game to bed with authority. They went on a final quarter rampage kicking the only nine goals for the term, with all the big names for them getting involved.
Blake Anderson had some crucial touches, Troy Robinson competed fiercely and won contested ball, Wilson and Grayling were their prevalent selves, and the relentless run over the ground helped to blow the margin away.
Nullawil lost all their structures, made crucial errors in getting out of defence and the Bombers were clinical.
Grayling finished with five goals for the victors, with Dickson chipping in with three.
Oberdorfer marked his return to the side with three majors of his own, with Ford contributing with two majors.
Wandella will look to record a second win against Quambatook this weekend, with the Maroons travelling to take on Murrabit.
Coach leads Blue to win
MURRABIT coach, Nathan Henry’s purple patch in front of goal continued at the weekend to help the Blues defeat fellow Golden Rivers Football League finals contenders, Hay.
Henry kicked six goals – his fourth consecutive five-plus goal effort – to help the Blues defeat last season’s preliminary finalist by 25 points.
The haul moved Henry to 27 goals this season, despite missing the first two rounds of 2016.
Murrabit held a five-point advantage at quarter time, with the visitors extending their lead to 20 points at the main break.
Both teams kicked four goals each in the third term, but the Blues outscored the Lions by three points in the final quarter to record their fifth win of the season.
Bryden Morison dominated in the midfield, whilst Dylan Morison stood out in defence for the Blues, who won their first match at Hay since 2013.
Justin Ellis and Daniel Edwards kicked three goals each for the Lions, who lost their third consecutive match.
The Blues host Nullawil this weekend, looking to record a fifth consecutive win, whilst the fifth-placed Lions host Moulamein.
Tibbles’ day out
ETHAN Tibbles became the second GRFL player to kick more than 10 goals in a game on Saturday, helping Macorna end a three-match losing streak.
The forward booted 12 goals in the Tigers’ 56-point win against Quambatook – with the 2016 recruit outscoring the Saints by one point.
Supported by Jacob McIntosh and Sam Nichols, Macorna’s forwards were able to etch out an 11-point lead at quarter time and a 22-point advantage at the main break.
The lead doubled to 44 points with one quarter remaining, with last season’s grand finalists too far behind to mount a comeback in the final term.
Zavia McPhee and Martin Angus kicked three goals each for the Saints, who must defeat Wandella this weekend to keep their finals hopes alive.
Macorna will host Ultima, who the Tigers defeated back in round one.
Premiers handle conditions better
ULTIMA remains one win clear on top of the ladder thanks to a 104-point win against Moulamein.
Basil Althouse and Tom Isma kicked four goals each in the reigning premiers’ sixth win of the season.
The ‘Roos opened up a 27-point lead late in the first term before Ben Booth kicked truly for the home side late in time-on to reduce the margin to 21 points at the first break.
Ultima and the Swans kicked one goal each early in the second term, with Tim Walder’s major the last time Moulamein would record a goal until early in the final term.
From this point on the ‘Roos handled the wet conditions better, opening up a 40-point lead at the main break and an 82-point lead at three-quarter time.
Althouse and Isma were benefitting from the midfield efforts of Tom Bull and Jacob Schaper.
The ‘Roos extended the lead to 88 points before Xavia Elford ended Ultima’s run of 10 consecutive goals.
Ultima continued its control, with Isma’s fourth goal just before time-on extending the lead beyond 100 points.
Kyle Brasser and Benedict Mahon played well for the visitors, with Ryan Merrett and Michael Morson standing out for the hosts.
Ultima travels to Macorna this weekend, with the Swans to take on Hay.
