WANDELLA dropped to third on the Golden Rivers Football League ladder following a 16-point loss at Hay on Saturday.
The loss was the Bombers’ second in a row, and the side must defeat Murrabit this weekend to ensure it does not drop into the battle for a first semi-final spot.
The win leaves the Lions fifth on the ladder – one win outside the top four – with key games to come against three of the league’s top four teams in the coming month.
The Lions opened up a 12-point lead at quarter time, before restricting the Bombers to three behinds in the second term to hold a 31-point lead at the main break.
Wandella rallied in the third quarter to reduce the margin to 24 points, and also outscored the hosts in the final term, but the damage had already been done.
Shayne Kennedy and Ricki Waters kicked three goals for the victors, with Greg Dickson booting three majors for the Bombers.
Jackson Ferguson and Kennedy were best on ground for the Lions, with Matt Wilkinson and Ryan Lancaster playing well for Wandella.
Blues fight back
MURRABIT moved to top spot on the GRFL ladder thanks to an 11-point home win against Macorna on Saturday.
In a tense encounter, the Blues were able to kick away in the last quarter to record their ninth victory of the season.
The loss leaves the Tigers sixth on the ladder with four rounds remaining and needing to find two more wins than fourth-placed Nullawil, as well as 60 per cent, to make the finals.
Accurate kicking helped the Tigers throughout the first three quarters, with the visitors leading by three points at quarter time, two points at half time and eight points at the final break.
The Blues – who had four goals from 12 scoring shots up to three-quarter time – rallied in the final term, booting four goals to one to claim a win.
Nathan Brown, Leigh McCombe and Bryden Morison kicked two goals each for Murrabit, whilst coach, Nathan Henry was left goalless after being contained by Macorna coach, Wayne Mitrovic.
Ethan Tibbles finished with three goals for the Tigers, with Brett Collins (two goals) Macorna’s other multiple goalkicker.
Brown and Dylan Morison were best on ground for the Blues, whilst Mitrovic and Brad Ladson played well for the Tigers.
Murrabit faces Wandella in a key game for a second semi-final spot this weekend, with Macorna hosting Nullawil.
Saints push premiers
A SEVEN-goal to one third term helped reigning premiers, Ultima leave Quambatook with a 73-point win to remain second on the ladder.
In the second of three matches involving last season’s grand finalists scheduled for this year, Quambatook held an eight-point quarter time lead and a two-point advantage at the main break.
Playmaners, Ryan Devereux (six goals) and Jacob Schaper (five goals) led the way in the third term to give the visitors a 33-point lead at the final break, before kicking seven goals to one in the fourth quarter.
Dwayne Hamlyn and Callen Farrell were best on ground for the ‘Ross, whilst Ricky Jochinke and Tobie Cameron played well for the Saints.
Ultima travels to Hay this weekend, whilst the Saints will look to snap a six-game losing streak when the side travels to Moulamein.
Maroons’ big win
NULLAWIL increased its grip on fourth spot on the Golden Rivers Football League ladder with a 155-point thumping of Moulamein.
The win kept the one-win gap between the Maroons and fifth-placed Hay intact, whilst the loss was the Swans’ 32nd in a row.
In the absence of full forward Kallen Heslop, the Maroons played midfielder Matt Harrop at full forward with great effect. The evasive runner kicked nine goals for the day with his leading, and ability to follow up on the ground prevalent.
Moulamein had some triers who worked hard to stem the tide. Tony Mudge worked hard in the middle, youngster Austin Mertz showed glimpses of his talent, and Xavia Elford showed dash on a wing, but all over the ground the home side had too much run and their ball movement was simply a class above.
The midfield was on top all day with Grant Ford, Daniel Watts, Matt Hayward and Scott Mathiske doing as they pleased, and when they transitioned the ball it was free flowing, often resulting in an Andrew Oberdorfer or Harrop shot on goal.
Moulamein did have some forays forward but when they did, they were repelled due to their extra numbers being around the ball, and the Maroons’ defence were able to provide plenty of drive.
In the end, the scoreline became very ugly as Nullawil gained some much needed percentage in what could be a crucial factor in determining finals places.
The Maroons will travel to Macorna this weekend in another key game to the finals battle, with the Swans hosting Quambatook – the club’s best chance of recording its first win since July 2014.
