MACORNA’S chances of playing in this year’s Golden Rivers Football League finals are in the club’s hands after defeating Wandella by five points on Saturday.
The win, set up by three goals from Wayne Mitrovic, moved the Tigers to fourth spot on the ladder.
Macorna will play in a first semi-final on August 20 if the former competition leaders win against Hay this weekend.
Although it was the Bombers’ fifth consecutive loss, they can break into the top four this weekend if the Tigers lose to the Lions and Wandella defeats Quambatook.
Macorna kicked the only goal of the first quarter to hold an 11-point lead at the opening break.
The Bombers – who missed the forward presence of Blake Anderson (suspension) and Paul Grayling (injury) – hit the scoreboard in the second term, but the Tigers increased their lead to 22 points at the main break.
Knowing the season was on the line for both sides, the third quarter became a shootout, with the visitors kicking four goals to three to hold a 26-point advantage at the final break.
Wandella made a final quarter charge, but fell short of adding a fifth consecutive home win against Macorna.
Sam Anstey and Luke Spalding were best on ground for the victors, with Greg Dickson (two goals), Justin Robinson and Justin Wilson standing out for the hosts.
Blues’ spot booked
MURRABIT secured a second semi-final berth with a 121-point win against Moulamein.
Leigh McCombe (10 goals) and Nathan Henry (nine goals) led the way for the victors, with Henry leading the league’s goalkicking ladder with 48 majors.
The Blues held a 34-point lead at quarter time, with a 10-goal to three second quarter increasing the margin to 76 points.
The Swans cut the deficit by one point in the third term, but the visitors’ eight-goal to one final quarter provided a valuable percentage boost.
Luke Nyko, McCombe and Henry were best on ground for the Blues, with Ben Booth (two goals), Michael Morson (two goals) and Matthew Peaese playing well for the Swans.
Murrabit hosts Ultima this weekend in a potential second semi-final preview, with Moulamein to travel to Nullawil.
Premiers prevail
A SIX-GOAL showcase from Basil Althouse helped Ultima inflict a 52-point win against Quambatook.
The seventh-placed Saints held a three-point lead at quarter time, but the two-time reigning premiers were too strong as the match progressed.
The ‘Roos held an 18-point lead at the main break and a 20-point advantage with one term to play, before the home side kicked the final six goals of the match.
Ryan Devereux (three goals) and Tom Isma (two goals) provided support for Althouse, whilst Gregor Knight kicked three of Quambatook’s six goals.
Defenders, Nathan Condely and Jayden Kiel were best on ground for the ‘Roos, with Knight and Dylan Pascoe playing well for the Saints.
Ultima can secure a second semi-final spot with a win against Murrabit this weekend, with Quambatook to host Wandalla.
THE equation was simple for Hay on Saturday, win and keep their season alive, or lose and it was most likely finished.
Under fine and warm skies at home, the Lions needed to get the win and pile the pressure on Wandella in fourth.
The Lions started with key playmaker Jackson Ferguson in the middle, reaping instant rewards as his clearances allowed Bunyan and Ellis to goal.
Harrop replied with a crumbling goal for Nully, and in one of the more free flowing quarters seen for the year, the attacking instincts of both sides were taking over.
Ferguson then goaled for the Lions, who were able to use the dominance of Hanna in the ruck early to gain multiple clearances.
Not to be outdone, when Nully moved the ball forward they looked dangerous with Kallen Heslop contested marking the ball well, and the athletic Andrew Oberdorfer able to mark well around the ground.
It was an offensive arm wrestle throughout the first half with Hay having more of the play in the second quarter but unable to fully convert on all their inside 50 pressure.
Waters, Ferguson and McSweyn all looked dangerous with ball in hand, and their significant height advantage was causing the Maroons issues. At half time Hay held a slender 11 point lead.
The second half began with Nully starting to gain midfield dominance and level the game up. There were two players who were key to their comeback in the match: Grant Ford and Kallen Heslop.
Ford’s run and drive through the middle was vital, he made good decisions by hand and foot and didn’t waste the footy.
Heslop was marking everything, and having one of those days that forwards dream of. In the third quarter alone he had nine shots at goal, and overall for the day kicked a remarkable 10.7. The Nully midfielders were picking him out on the lead well, and there was little that Bill Auldist could do to stop him. The match was in the balance at three quarter time with Nully holding a narrow three point lead.
What happened in the last quarter was unexpected to most there. Hay for the second week in a row, was completely overrun, losing the last quarter eight goals to zero. And with it, went all likelihood of making the finals this year. Heslop and Oberdorfer were unstoppable, and the run and carry of playmakers Ford, Cowland and Williams on the back of some excellent nullifying in the ruck from Nathan Leane allowed the Maroons to run away.
Hay’s key playmakers struggled to get their hands on the ball and this meant the Maroons were able to run rampant and win by a comfortable 50 points.
