THE battle for top spot on the Golden Rivers Football League ladder has become a three-team race after Wandella defeated Ultima by 11 points on Saturday.
The Bombers – led by Daniel Baker and Mick Bott – dominated the second quarter, before holding off a final quarter fightback from the reigning premiere to climb to first spot on the ladder.
The loss was Ultima’s fifth since the 2013 grand final, leaving the side on the same number of wins at the Bombers and second-placed Murrabit.
In a physical encounter, both sides battled to control proceedings in the opening term only for the Bombers to lead by six points at the first break.
Despite leading, the Bombers were down a rotation after Callaghan Gray was knocked out following an on the ball collision during the first five minutes of the match.
Wandella took control of the game in the second quarter, with former coach, Blake Anderson leading the way.
Whilst Nathan Condely was successfully containing Wandella coach, Paul Grayling, with the duo battling across the half-forward line, Anderson was proving to be a concern for the hosts.
Wandella extended it lead to 20 points before Ultima spearhead, Basil Althouse began to take control for the home side.
Although being well held by Jordan Jeffrey, Althouse kicked Ultima’s only two goals of the term – which were cancelled out by the Bombers – to keep Wandella’s lead to 20 points at half-time.
The ‘Roos moved Brenton Pay to the back line in the third term, enabling Luke O’Toole to play in the middle of the ground – a tactic that worked for the home side.
Yet Wandella was making its chances count. Tim Robinson was controlling play across half-forward, ensuring each Ultima goal was matched by the Bombers.
Gavin Cathie extended the lead beyond three goals late in the term, but Ultima replied to reduce the deficit to 14 points with one term to play.
The margin hovered around the two to three goal mark in the final 25 minutes of the match, with Cathie’s second goal of the game early into time-on securing victory.
Anderson, Baker and Cathie kicked two goals each for the victors, with Althouse, O’Toole and Jack O’Rourke booting the same number of goals for the ‘Roos.
Baker, Brodey Farley and Bott were best on ground for the Bombers, with O’Toole and Condely standing out for Ultima.
Wandella hosts Moulamein before the school holiday break, with Ultima to travel to Murrabit.
Maroons add to Lions’ hoodoo
NULLAWIL added another chapter to its Golden Rivers Football League dominance against Hay at the Maroons’ hone ground, recording a 30-point win in a game involving the competition’s fourth and fifth-placed sides.
Nullawil handled the slippery conditions better, with Matt Harrop leading the way to ensure the Lions’ decade long losing streak at the venue continued.
Hay used Taylor Williamson in a different role to his normal goal kicking position, playing him as a rotating on- baller and half back in the wet conditions, with good effect, crashing and bashing and winning the ball for his side.
Goals were at a premium in the first half with only seven majors kicked between the sides, – four to the hosts and three to the Lions.
The conditions showed that Hay is missing the on-field leadership of coach, Simon Bunyan, whose inside work gives the New South Wales-based side an advantage, with the Lions relying on its tall players and long kicking skills.
The conditions didn’t suit the Lions’ game style, but they didn’t give up and pushed Nullawil. Ricki Waters and Mick Dedini worked hard through the midfield, but the rebound of Tom Fawcett and Kyle Doran across half back was stopping the ability of the visitors to score.
Up the other end, Andrew Oberdorfer and Jackson Ferguson were having a great match up. Two of the most athletic players in the league put on an entertaining duel with Oberdorfer kicking two goals, but Ferguson providing drive across half back and kicked two majors himself in an even contest.
Going into the last quarter, Nullawil had a two-goal lead, and the first goal was going to be huge. The home side was able to kick truly through Harrop, and despite a quick reply from the Lions in Waters, Tom Fawcett kicked the sealer midway through the final term.
Nullawil can remain fourth on the ladder going into the third bye of the season if the side defeats Quambatook this weekend, whilst Hay needs to beat Macorna at home to keep in touch with the top four.
Blues climb, Saints’ goal over
MURRABIT moved to second on the GRFL ladder thanks to a 22-point win against Quambatook.
Tom Hetherington kicked three goals for the victors, with the loss ending the Saints’ chances of making the finals with the 2015 grand finalists four wins outside the top four.
The Saints held a seven-point lead in drizzly condition at quarter time, only to concede four goals to one to trail by 14 points at the main break.
Murrabit kicked two goals to one in the third and final quarters to record a seventh win of the season.
Tom Holdstock, Bryden Morison and Michael Roberts kicked two goals each for the victors, with James Lloyd kicking three of Quambatook’s six goals for the match.
Bryden and Dylan Morison, as well as Roberts, were best on ground for the Blues, with Ricky Jochinke, Ash Davis and Luke Jackson playing well for the hosts.
Murrabit hosts Ultima this weekend, with the Saints to travel to Nullawil.
Tigers on the move
MACORNA moved to fifth on the GRFL ladder after defeating Moulamein by 46 points.
Jessi Lampi kicked five goal for the Tigers, who kept the Swans goalless in the second half.
Macorna kicked the opening five goals of the match to hold a 32-point lead at quarter time.
Moulamein out scored the Tigers in the second quarter, booting four goals to two to reduce the deficit to 17 points at the main break.
However, the Tigers were too strong in the second half, despite having one more scoring shot than the Swans for the entire match.
Brett Collins, Tristan McIntosh and Ethan Tibbles kicked two goals each for the Tigers, with the Swans’ four goals coming from individual goalkickers.
Lampi, Jacob McIntosh and Jordan Simpson were best on ground for the Tigers, who travel to Hay this weekend.
Matthew Battenally, Ryan Merritt and Michael Morson played well for the Swans, who travel to Wandella on Saturday.
