ONE of country Victorian football’s longest losing streaks ended at the weekend, with Moulamein recording its first victory since July 2014.
The Swans’ 54-point win against Quambatook ended a 32-match losing streak that began on round 13, 2014.
It has been a tough two years since the club’s 19-point win against Murrabit on July 12, 2014, with the side losing by more than 100 points on 16 occasions.
The closest the Swans came to winning during its losing streak was against the Saints in round six this year, with the side mounting a comeback before going down by 13 points.
The signs of a breakthrough win were evident early on Saturday, with the home side holding a six-point lead at quarter time, thanks to six extra scoring shots.
The margin extended to 19 points at the main break and reduced to 18 points with one term to play.
The Saints were still in the game with one term to play thanks to Moulamein’s five goals from 23 scoring shots, but the Swans turned it on in the last quarter.
Moulamein kicked the final six goals of the game to be in with a chance of not claiming a third consecutive wooden spoon.
Chris Foott led the way with three goals for the victors, with Quambatook’s four goals coming from individual goalkickers.
Austin Mertz and Ben Booth were best on ground for the victors, with Dylan Pascoe and Naythan Downing playing well for the Saints.
Moulamein travels to Ultima on Saturday, with Quambatook to host Macorna.
Tigers open finals race
MACORNA kept its Golden Rivers Football League finals hopes alive with a four-point against Nullawil on Saturday.
Needing a win to keep in touch with the top four, the Tigers took advantage of muddy conditions at its home ground to record a seventh win of the season.
Despite the loss, the Maroons jumped to third on the ladder, but are locked in a battle with Wandella and Hay for the first semi-final spots.
The match started very evenly, with the crosswind playing havoc with foot skills. Under heavy pressure and congestion, marking became hard and the ball was drawn to the railway side of the ground, with plenty of stoppages and a very contested brand of football.
One player who was a standout in the conditions was Macorna’s Brett O’Hanlon, whose experience gained whilst being on Richmond’s list helped in the poor conditions.
O’Hanlon was able to gain numerous disposals, and use the ball well to the home team’s advantage.
Combined with the rebound of the back six, led by the Ladson brothers, O’Hanlon ensured the Tigers were restricting the Nullawil scoring.
The Maroons had enough of the ball early, however were struggling with their movement of the ball from the back half. Whenever they had the ball, they couldn’t string marks together to move down, however had plenty of numbers around the ball which meant scoring was hard for Macorna.
Matt Harrop kicked the first goal of the match 19 minutes into the opening quarter, giving the Maroons a five-point lead at the opening break.
Macorna responded and were mostly on top for the second quarter, peppering the goals with inaccuracy plaguing them. Luke Spalding was influential in the ruck, winning key hit-outs and getting the ball forward, but as the wind was strong, players were having real issues in hitting targets.
The Maroons were being outplayed despite staying close on the scoreboard, and had it not been for Grant Ford, the game could have been over at half-time. Ford was brilliant in his work rate and combativeness, winning one-on-one battles to help Nullawil trail by three points at the main break.
Nullawil managed to find space in the third term to level the scores with one quarter to play, but goals to Shaun Douglass and Sam Anstey in the last quarter managed to put the Tigers 10 points up and hard to catch.
Nullawil came late, and had several shots at goal, until coach Scott Mathiske goaled late to reduce the margin to four points and a seemingly nail biting finish.
Macorna can keep in touch with the top four with victory against Quambatook this weekend, whilst the Maroons face a must-win match against Wandella.
Lions benefit from results
HAY is the biggest benefactor of a weekend of upset Golden Rivers Football League results.
The Lions’ 10-point win against reigning premiers, Ultima – as well as Murrabit’s narrow win against Wandella and Macorna’s victory against Nullawil – leaves the New South Wales side, the Bombers and Maroons equal on eight wins after 13 rounds.
Little separated Hay and Ultima in the first half, with the home side dominating the third quarter.
The Lions turned a 10-point half-time lead into a 41-point advantage with one term to play thanks to a six goal to one quarter.
Not to be outdone, Ultima mounted a final term fightback, kicking six goals to one but ran out of time to record a 10th win of the season.
Simon Bunyan, Shayne Kennedy, Hugh McLean and Taylor Williamson kicked two goals each for the Lions, who are fifth on the ladder with three rounds to play.
Dwayne Hamlyn and Tom Isma kicked two goals each for the ‘Roos, who are one win ahead of the battle for third spot on the ladder.
Ricki Waters and Michael Dedini were best on ground for Hay, with Luke O’Toole and Tom Bull playing well for the ‘Roos.
Hay travels on Saturday to take on ladder leaders, Murrabit, with Ultima to host Moulamein.
Blues eye minor title
MURRABIT is one step closer to claiming the GRFL minor premiership thanks to a four-point win against rivals, Wandella.
The Blues’ 10th win of the season leaves the side one win clear of reigning premiers, Ultima with games to come against Hay, Moulamein and the ‘Roos.
The loss – Wandella’s third in a row – sees the Bombers drop from first to fourth since the school holiday bye and in a battle with Nullawil and the Lions for a semi-final berth.
Little separated both teams throughout the game, with the largest margin being Murrabit’s eight-point lead at half-time.
The return of Josh Dwyer boosted the Blues’ ruck stocks, whilst the visitors’ ability to keep Wandella coach, Paul Grayling goalless helped secure the win.
Nathan Henry, Brett McCombe, Simon Morton and Nathan Brown kicked two goals each for the Blues, whilst Blake Anderson (three goals) led the way for the hosts.
Brown and Joel Cross were best on ground for the Blues, with Anderson and Troy Robinson playing well for the Bombers.
Murrabit hosts Hay this weekend, with Wandella facing a must-win game against Nullawil.
