GOLDEN Rivers Football League competition leaders, Murrabit produced an eight-goal comeback to run down finals aspirant, Hay on Saturday.
Led by two goals from Nathan Brown, Josh Dwyer and Greg Whelan, Murrabit is one win away from securing a semi-final berth, whilst the Lions need results to go the club’s way to make the finals for a second successive season.
Billed as one of the games of the season, Murrabit captain, Nick Hein’s decision to kick against the breeze in the opening term turned out to be a masterstroke after Hay blew the game open in the opening 10 minutes.
The visitors claimed the lead with the opening goal of the match 14 seconds in, and were never headed as the Lions opened up a 39-point lead at quarter time.
Murrabit had no match for the ruck strength of Tim Hanna, who teamed up with Jackson Ferguson and Shayne Kennedy to control the midfield.
The Blues had to earn each possession, whilst the Lions controlled play with ease to kick seven goals with the breeze.
Ferguson extended the lead to 45 points early in the second quarter, with Leigh McCombe’s yellow card at the 13-minute mark adding to Murrabit’s obstacles.
However, the Blues were able to challenge last season’s preliminary finalists for the remainder of the quarter to reduce the deficit to 37 points at the main break.
Murrabit coach, Nathan Henry made a number of changes at the start of the third quarter in an effort to get the home side back in the match.
Simon Morton tagged Ferguson, Hein went into the middle of the ground and Bryden Morison became a free player – moves that paid off after the main break.
Murrabit kicked three goals agains the breeze, with the Lions only managing four behinds, to cut the deficit to 20 points with one term to play.
Dwyer’s second goal of the match in the opening minute of the last quarter lifted the crowd, with Whelan’s pressure in the Blues’s forward 50 creating headaches for Hay coach, Simon Bunyan.
Tom Hetherington gave Murrabit the lead midway through the quarter, with McCombe extending the margin to seven points at the start of time-on.
Ricki Waters ended Murrabit’s run of seven consecutive goals with two minutes to spare, but Brown’s second goal of the match in the final minute secured the Blues’ 11th win of the season.
Bunyan kicked three goals for the Lions, with eight Blues players kicking goals.
Morison, Morton and Brown were best on ground for the Blues, with Angus McSweyn and Jack Perrignon playing well for the Lions.
Murrabit can secure a second semi-final spot with a victory against Moulamein this weekend, whilst Hay must defeat Nullawil at home to keep its finals hopes alive.
Coach puts on masterclass
MACORNA stalwart, Wayne Mitrovic led the way on Saturday to help keep the Tigers’ finals hopes alive.
The former E.G. Hunt Medallist kicked eight goals in the Tigers’ 92-point win at Quambatook.
The victory leaves Macorna sixth on the ladder, equal on wins with fourth-placed Wandella but with a percentage 37 per cent less than the Tigers’ round 15 opponents.
Macorna had its eighth win of the season secured by quarter time, thanks to a 10-goal to one term.
The margin increased slightly to 55 points by half-time after both sides booted four goals each in the second term.
The Tigers upped their intensity in the third quarter, kicking five goals to one to open up an 84-point advantage with one term remaining before claiming the final stanza.
Jesse Lampi chipped in with five goals for the victors, whilst Quambatook’s eight goals came from eight individual goalkickers.
Brett O’Hanlon and Joel Dwyer were best on ground for Macorna, with Rhys Carmichael and Luke Jackson playing well for the Saints.
Macorna faces a must-win game at Wandella this weekend, with Quambatook travelling to Ultima.
Premiers on track
ULTIMA is potentially one win away from securing a second semi-final spot after recording a 102-point win against Moulamein.
Basil Althouse and Ryan Devereux kicked five goals each to prevent the Swans from recording consecutive victories.
The hosts kicked the only seven goals of the first quarter to hold a 48-point lead at quarter time, with the margin increasing to 57 points with one half to play.
The margin reached triple figures in the third quarter, with the Swans matching the two-time reigning premiers in the final term.
Tom Isma and Luke Kelson were best on ground for the ‘Roos, with Xavia Elford (three goals), Matthew Battenally and Jim Degregorio standing out for the Swans.
A win against Quambatook this weekend could secure a top-two finish for Ultima, with the Swans to host Murrabit.
Battle for Bombers
IT was a match with huge stakes on Saturday in the Golden Rivers Football League with Nullawil taking on Wandella with the winner essentially assuring their spot in the final four.
Wandella came into the match undermanned with their three key Darwin recruits unavailable, along with injured wingman Daniel Baker, and throughout the day the effect of losing these key players would be telling.
The match started as an arm wrestle with both defences on top. It was a contested game with tackles flying everywhere, and very evenly matched. Wandella was generating great rebound across half back with talls Brodey Farley and Tim Robinson able to take numerous intercept marks, while at the other end Kyle Doran and Jarrod Kemp were useful in their run and repelling for the Maroons.
Goals were hard to come by, but an opportunistic snap by Mick Bott had Wandella five points up at quarter time.
Nully started the second quarter quickly with early goals to Cowland and Mathiske, getting them out to a 13 point lead, however the Bombers responded with three consecutive goals to take the lead into half time with two to Anderson and one to Grayling.
This was a finals-like battle and both sides wouldn’t go away, with a third to Cowland putting the Maroons back in front. The longer the game went the more the Nully midfield began to take control. Two key instigators in this were Scott Mathiske and Daniel Watts. Both won a significant amount of contested ball, generating repeat inside 50s for the Maroons. Nully found themselves a goal in front with all to play for in the last.
The last quarter really told as Wandella missed key midfielders Wilson and Baker. Nully got right on top in the clearances, and Watts and Hayward were key instigators. They kicked the first of the last through Kallen Heslop, followed by goals to Mathiske and Watts as the match began to break open.
The Bombers responded with a goal to Brodey Farley who was tireless across half back all day, but this wasn’t to be their day as Heslop and Brett Barker goaled late to ensure a Nully victory by 38 points. They now are all but assured a finals spot.
Next week against Macorna now becomes must-win for the Bombers. Lose, and the possibility of missing the four is greater.
