MACORNA increased its dominance over Golden Rivers Football League rivals, Wandella at the Macorna Recreation Reserve on Saturday, recording a 16-point win.
The win keeps the Tigers in touch with the top four, with Wayne Mitrovic’s men one win off fourth spot and two victories away from the top of the ladder.
The home side set up the win in the second half, restricting the competition leaders to two goals after half time.
Macorna held a one-point lead at quarter time, but conceded five goals to enable the Bombers – who have not won at the Tigers’ home ground since 2010 – to hold a an 11-point lead at the main break.
Wandella did not capitalise on its opportunities in the second term, kicking six behinds to go with its five goals – which proved costly as the match progressed.
Macorna rallied in the third term to reclaim the lead, but were dealt a blow when captain, Liam Roberts went off the ground with a broken jaw.
The Tigers rallied in the final quarter to record their sixth win of 2016, and face a critical clash at Murrabit this weekend.
Paul Grayling, Alex Kirby and Justin Wilson kicked two goals each for Wandella, who travel to Hay on Saturday.
Maroons knock off ‘Roos
NULLAWIL remains fourth on the Golden Rivers Football League ladder after defeating reigning premiers, Ultima by 23 points.
The loss leaves the ‘Roos, Wandella and Murrabit all on eight wins this season, with the Maroons one victory back.
It was a big match for the former Tyrrell Football League rivals, with Ultima holding a reunion for its 1996 premiership side, as well as honouring the Glare family following their recent loss.
In fine but cold conditions at Ultima, there was a ferocity and tackling from both sides that was elite, and the underdog Maroons were challenging early with their contested ball ability.
Both sides started with an extra loose man behind the ball, and were able to use that to great effect. Royce Free was that man for Nullawil, and took numerous intercept marks, while at the other end, Luke O’Toole played the same role with similar effect.
It was a physical and brutal contest, with both defences on top and only two goals kicked in the first quarter, one to each side.
The match opened up more in the second term, with Nullawil starting the better. Their midfield in Matt Harrop, Daniel Watts and Grant Ford were prolific. They had repeat forward 50 entries, and capitalised through Kal Heslop to get out to a 14-point lead late in the second quarter.
However, in the last 10 minutes of the half Ultima was able to steady, with Jacob Schaper and O’Toole getting them back into the match with their drive and repel.
The second half was much the same early, with the arm wrestle going on and both sides incredibly evenly matched. It was hard to score with such physicality, and both defences were solid with Jordan Matthews and Kyle Doran playing a key role in rebounding for the Maroons, while Luke Kelson was solid on Andrew Oberdorfer and O’Toole was keeping the Roos’ in it with his intercept marking. Neither side was giving an inch, and with a quarter to go it was Nullawil win front by two points.
It was then that the visitors lifted to run away with a sizzling final quarter of footy. Their leaders stood up, with Ford, Harrop, Watts and Free being superb through the middle and forward, Free snapping a goal from a clearance to extend the margin to three goals early in the last.
Try as they might, the Roos had no answers, they were missing the leadership of Brenton Pay and gut running of Tom Bull.
Ultima will travel to Quambatook this weekend, with the Maroons hosting Moulamein.
Blue scare
SIX consecutive goals helped Murrabit record a 47-point win against Moulamein in a match that the winless Swans challenged the finals contenders.
Moulamein – guided by Ben Booth and Brendan Blackmore – led by three points early in the third term before the Blues upped the intensity.
Murrabit dominated play early in the match, with coach, Nathan Henry prolific.
Two of the spearhead’s six goals came in the opening term, his second reclaiming the lead for the visitors to give the Blues a two-point lead at quarter time.
Blackmore goaled early in the second term to give the Swans the lead back, but the Blues responded.
Bryden Morison and Andrew Spitty started to get on top in the middle of the ground, allowing Brett McCombe, Patrick Cummins and the Blues’ forwards to dominate on the scoreboard.
Ryan Standen kicked Moulamein’s seventh goal of the match after the half-time siren to cut the Blues’ lead to three points, with Blackmore’s second goal of the match early in the third term getting the home side to its feet.
However, this would be the closest the Swans would get to ending its 30-plus losing streak, as Henry led the Blues to a 29-point lead at three-quarter time.
Both sides struggled to score in the final term, with Morison’s third goal of the match – coming 15 minutes into the quarter – sealing the win.
Henry, Morison and Dylan Morison were best on ground for the Blues, with Booth (two goals), Tony Mudge and Matthew Battenally playing well for the Swans.
Murrabit will host Macorna this weekend, with Moulamein to travel to Nullawil.
Lions challenged
HAY remains in the race for a Golden Rivers Football League finals spot thanks to a 36-point win against Quambatook.
Needing a win to remain in touch with the top four, Ricki Waters and Simon Bunyan kicked four goals each to record a second win in 2016 against last season’s grand finalists.
Hay dominated from the opening bounce, kicking six of the first eight goals of the match to lead by 27 points at quarter time.
Quambatook – who went into the game without James Lloyd after the speareas suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in round 10 – responded in the second quarter, cutting the margin to 16 points at half-time.
The Lions upped the intensity in the third quarter to open up a 31-point lead with one term to play, and were never headed.
Martin Angus kicked two goals for the Saints, whilst Taylor Williamson booted thw same number of majors for the Lions.
Jack Perrignon and Waters were best on ground for the Lions, whilst Luke Jackson and Jacob Thorne played well for the Saints.
Hay faces a must-win clash with Wandella this weekend, with Quambatook to host Ultima.
