KOONDROOK/BARHAM will take on four-time reigning Central Murray Football Netball League premiers, Kerang in this weekend’s second semi-final after accounting for Nyah-Nyah West United by 32 points in Saturday’s qualifying final.
Six goals from Jay Reynolds and the experience ruckman, Rhett Sutton brings to the side helped the Raiders prevail in a display of speed and pack hunting.
The Demons need to regroup before Sunday’s first semi-final encounter with Woorinen, with the premiership challengers outclassed at Barham.
By half-time, the home side had opened up a substantial lead in what was a relatively low scoring encounter, but the Raiders’ 12 total scoring shots were in stark contrast to the Demons’ efforts – who had one goal to their name at the main break.
Up until that point, the Demons had successfully blanketed the Raiders’ forwards, but Reynolds, Fraser Neate and on baller Tom May – who was running riot around the ground in a dominant display of his craft – stepped up.
There was a glimmer of hope for the army of Demon fans early in the third term when some fine individual efforts from Jarrod Stokes and Joel Campbell produced two majors in as many minutes, but that was the end of the party as the Raiders steadied.
Tom Lamb was getting into the action, combining with Troy Rogers and Neate, and when Reynolds snagged another major and May produced the goal of the day – a fantastic snap from a pack situation – the Raiders had steadied their ship.
One young Demon deserving of a special mention was Jayden Borchard, who was tireless and showed courage and maturity beyond his years appearing for the most part to have the unenviable job of manning up on Rogers.
However, the Raiders had winners on every line, starting with Sutton, who showed excellent mobility to add to the around the ground brigade, creating another problem for his opponents.
Jake Hare is now a mature player for the Raiders and put in a serviceable display, as did his brother, Zac, who is tall and quick and very hard to match up on.
The final term saw Koondrook/Barham still running on top with six-goal star Reynolds the dominant forward on the ground.
The Demons’ best player, Jarrod Skinner, was still battling out of defence and showing amazing skill with long runs from deep in the back line and superb kicking.
Tigers outscore Saints
WOORINEN have continued its winning ways with a stunning 61-point demolition of Tooleybuc/Manangatang in Sunday’s Central Murray Football Netball League elimination final.
The unprecedented scoreline – which saw the victors kick 20 goals to nine – shows the strong form of the Tigers, who have been building nicely after going out in straight sets last season.
The first term was as expected, a rough and tumble affair with numerous stoppages.
Woorinen produced a good start as Jason Iannucci marked and goaled for the Tigers one minute in.
Almost immediately, ruckman Arnold Kirby repeated the dose after receiving a free kick 60 metres out.
It then took until the 13th minute before the Saints replied as Stephen Lyons slammed home a major, followed soon after by ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan with a fine snap.
In the second stanza, after a quick foray forward by the Saints that resulted in a behind, it was the Tigers who dominated.
The period was marred by incessant tackling and stoppages, however, it was Woorinen who did more damage on the scoreboard with Ben Heenan and Doug Beames marking well and providing targets for their running brigade.
The Saints had good contributors in Nick O’Neill and the Morris boys, Brad and Craig, who showed how it’s done particularly with their kicking, but the Saints’ good work was wasted as only minor scores resulted.
For the term there were no less than 10 behinds registered, with much of the inaccuracy attributed to the intense pressure applied by both sides.
The Tigers gave it their all in the third, kicking seven majors to the Saints’ two, to take complete control of the game – they went to the final change of ends with a lead of 45 points.
The final quarter was dominated by the Tigers who had done enough to move onto play Nyah-Nyah West United next weekend.
