TEENAGER, Callan Farrell lived out most footballers’ dream on Saturday – kicking a goal after the final siren to win his team the game.
The 16-year-old, playing his first senior game for Ultima, kicked truly from 15 metres directly in front to secure a five-point win for the reigning Golden Rivers Football League premiers against Murrabit.
Farrell received a free kick with 10 seconds left to play after Murrabit captain, Nick Hein – playing his 250th senior game – made contact with the teenager over the shoulder in a marking contest.
The climatic finish was a fitting end to what will surely be one of the games of the season, with the lead changing six times throughout the match.
The Blues, aiming to make the club’s round 10 clash involving the second and third placed sides on the ladder one to remember for Hein and Simon Morton, playing his 400th senior game, dominated from the opening bounce, producing a 12-point lead early in the first quarter.
Jacob Schaper – who finished with five goals for the ‘Roos – helped Ultima claim a one-point lead at quarter time.
Ultima’s chances took a blow late in the opening term after captain, Brenton Pay injured his leg, putting the team one rotation down.
The home side reclaimed the lead early in the second term thanks to the quick thinking of Patrick Cummins, before the reigning premiers dominated the majority of the quarter.
Led by Schaper, Ultima coach Jack O’Rourke and Basil Althouse, the ‘Roos opened up a 24-point lead, with the visitors looking to wrap the game up by half-time.
Morton had other ideas, with his sole goal for the game sparking the hosts, who trailed by 19 points at the main break.
The Blues upped the intensity early in the third term to reclaim the lead.
Despite being well contained by Nathan Condely, Murrabit coach, Nathan Henry was providing plenty of opportunities for Leigh McCombe and Cummins to score from, with the hosts kicking the first three goals of the term.
Ultima fought back thanks to O’Rourke and Ryan Devereux, with the pair helping the ‘Roos lead by 11 points with one quarter to play.
Both sides struggled to get the ball inside their forward 50 during the opening six minutes of the final quarter, before another twist in the game emerged.
McCombe was sent off for 15 minutes following high contact, giving the ‘Roos a one-player advantage.
Althouse’s third goal of the game looked to secure a win for Ultima, but the Blues fought back again.
The home side kicked the last four goals of the game before the final siren, with Henry’s third goal of the match, scored as the quarter ticked into time-on, giving the Blues the lead and bringing the crowd to its feet.
Both sides struggled to get the ball into their forward 50 in the last two minutes of the game before Farrell stepped up and won the game for the ‘Roos.
The win leaves Ultima equal with competition leaders, Wandella on eight wins, with Murrabit third on seven wins.
Stuart Polkinghorne, Kyle Brasser and Althouse were best on ground for the victors, with Andrew Spitty, Dylan Morison and Henry playing well for the Blues.
Ultima will host fourth-placed Nullawil when the competition resumes on July 9, with Murrabit to travel to Moulamein.
Saints no match for Maroons
NULLAWIL remains one win clear in fourth spot on the Golden Rivers Football League ladder following a 120-point win against Quambatook.
Needing to win to keep its place in the top four going into the school holiday bye, the Maroons – led by seven goals from Kal Heslop – dominated the Mallee derby.
Quambatook – who will not be able to replicate its 2015 grand final appearance efforts thanks to one win so far in 2016 – were looking to be competitive following recently strong performances against Wandella and Murrabit.
The match started very evenly for the first 15 minutes as both sides worked to gain an advantage. Luke Jackson and Toby Cameron were working hard for the Saints, looking to generate ball for the forwards, but as the quarter went on, the hosts began to get on top and if not for inaccuracy, could have had a sizeable break.
Runners such as Matt Hayward, Jason Cowland and Zac Kelly were moving the ball well down forward, where the class of Grant Ford and Royce Free was hurting the Saints.
At the other end, key recruit James Lloyd looked dangerous for Quambatook, before having to go off with a serious shoulder injury – with his absence hurting the Saints’ forward structure.
Nullawil led by 17 points at quarter time, and began to dominate across the ground the longer the second quarter ran, with the side’s ability to run and possess the ball vital.
What was also clearly evident was the Saints’ lack of depth was hurting them across the ground. Although having players such as Lloyd, Luke Jackson and Gregor Knight, the club’s depth of quality is lacking. This was further evidenced by the fact that two of their reserves players had to play in the senior game off the bench.
Fatigue had set in for the visitors, who trailed by 65 points after only registering one goal for the term.
As the match went on, Nullawil became more ruthless and kept piling the goals on. It was an impressive display and they did what they had too, giving their percentage a crucial boost in what could decide fourth spot later on in the year. A 13-goal to three second half ensured that they could run away with a triple-figure.
Despite the score, one match up that was interesting was between Nullawil half-forward, Andrew Oberdorfer and Saints defender, Ash Davis. These two went head to head, and both had an influence on the game, with Davis probably being the Saints best player with his physicality, while Oberdorfer took several marks around the ground and provided plenty of opportunities deep to Heslop.
Nullawil will travel to take on league leaders, Ultima when the competition resumes on July 9, with Quambatook to host Hay.
Lions in touch
HAY moved level with Macorna, one win outside the top four thanks to a 54-point win against the Tigers.
With both sides welcoming back their respective coaches from injury – Simon Bunyan (Hay) and Wayne Mitrovic (Macorna) – it was the New South Wales team that dominated play in the second half.
The Lions held an 11-point lead at quarter time, which the Tigers reduced to eight points at the main break.
Hay took control of the game in the third quarter, kicking five of the seven goals scored to extend its lead to 31 points.
The margin could have been greater if the home side has kicked more accurately, with Hay recoding 13 scoring shots for the term.
A further six goals to two set up the Lions’ fifth win of the season, moving the side to fifth on the ladder.
Bunyan kicked five goals for the victors, with Jesse Lampi booting three majors for Macorna.
Ricki Waters and Mitch Busch were best on ground for Hay, with Joel Dwyer and Shaun Douglass playing well for the Tigers.
Hay will travel to Quambatook following next weekend’s break, with Macorna to host competition leaders, Wandella.
Percentage boost
WANDELLA extended its lead at the top of the Golden Rivers Football League ladder to 50 per cent following an 85-point win against Moulamein.
Although the Swans kicked their second highest score of the season, the winless side enabled Wandella coach, Paul Grayling (five goals) and Tim Robinson (three goals) to control proceedings.
Wandella held a 22-point lead at quarter time, which increased to 43 points at the main break after the Swans did not kick a goal in the second term.
The Bombers increased its lead to 56 points at three-quarter time before kicking seven of the final 10 goals of the match to record an eighth win of 2016.
Pat Caldwell and Brendan Blackmore kicked two goals each for the Swans, with Michael Morson and coach, Tony Mudge better players.
Callaghan Gray and Grayling were best on ground for the Bombers, who travel to Macorna on July 9.
The Swans – who have lost their past 30 games – will host Murrabit in two weeks time, the last team they defeated back in 2014.
