QUAMBATOOK snapped a 10-match losing streak at the weekend, coming from behind to defeat Macorna by 10 points in the opening round of the Golden Rivers Football League season.
In a game that saw the lead change on multiple occasions, the new-look Saints rallied in the final quarter to record the club’s first win since May 2016.
The match marked the return of Jack Baker, Andrew Hughes and James Steinfort to the Saints after the trio played elsewhere in 2016, but it was two new recruits that led the way.
Former Lower Plenty forward, William Barden dominated in front of goals, kicking four majors, with Tyrone Ross – who last played for the Saints in round one, 2016 – joining in with three majors of his own.
Down the other end of the ground, Daniel Edwards marked his move from Hay to Macorna in style, kicking six of Macorna’s 13 goals.
Accurate kicking in front of goal helped the Tigers hold a two-point lead at the first break, with the Saints holding a one-point advantage at half-time – thanks to Macorna’s score of eight goals from eight scoring shots.
Inaccuracy was starting to hurt the Saints in the third term, with the visitors trailing by eight points at the final break, despite having registered seven more scoring shots than the Tigers.
Baker and Gregor Knight rallied their Quambatook teammates in the final quarter, with the side kicking five goals to two to produce the win.
Both players were deemed to be best on ground for the Saints, with Jacob McIntosh and Jesse Lampi playing well for the Tigers.
Macorna will look to bounce back this weekend when the club travels to take on Hay, whilst the Saints host Nullawil.
Sperling day out
FIVE goals from former Fish Creek forward, Sam Sperling helped Wandella open its 2017 Golden Rivers Football League season with a 30-point win against Hay.
The 25-year-old was dominant in the Bombers’ forward 50, with Hay’s defenders unable to stop the new recruit from controlling play.
Wandella set up its win in the opening quarter, kicking six goals to nil to open up a 40-point lead at the first break.
The margin increased to 55 points at half-time, with the Lions able to stabilise the result in the second half.
Justin Robinson (four goals), Kokwam Niki (two goals) and Shannon Burton (two goals) Wandella’s three other multiple goalkickers in a match that saw former Brisbane player, Jaden McGrath make his debut for the Bombers.
Jackson Ferguson and Taylor Williamson kicked three goals each for the Lions, with the side booting eight goals in the second half.
Justin and Tim Robinson, as well as Niki, were best on ground for the victors, with Andrew Low, Hugh McLean and Tim Zambon playing well for the Lions.
Hay will host Macorna this weekend, with Wandella next taking to the field on April 22.
Blues’ positive start
MURRABIT marked its 2016 premiership flag unfurling in the best way possible at the weekend, recording a 109-point win against Wakool.
Recruits Damien Hirst and Justin McConnell led the way for the defending premiers, with the pair kicking four goals each in a match that saw the result confirmed at half-time.
The Blues kicked the only eight goals of the opening quarter to open up a 51-point lead, which increased to 60 points at the halfway mark of the match.
Although Wakool doubled its score in the second half, seven goals to one in the third quarter pushed the margin beyond 100 points.
Jackson Lowry and Luke Kirkland – who kicked three goals each – were the Hawks’ only goalkickers in the club’s return to senior competition.
McConnell, Dylan Morison and Bryden Morison were best on ground for the victors, with Lincoln Green, Bruce Baxter-Jukes and Shaun Delamare key players for the Hawks.
Murrabit will look to build its percentage on Saturday with a big win against Moulamein, with Wakool hosting last season’s grand finalists, Ultima in the club’s first home match since August 2015.
Rampaging Maroons
NULLAWIL increased its run of wins against Moulamein to 18 at the weekend, producing a 105-point victory in front of the club’s home supporters.
Ben Sheridan kicked four goals in his debut for the Maroons, with Scott Mathiske (three goals) and Andrew Oberdorfer (three goals) also playing key roles in front of goal.
The Maroons kept the Swans scoreless in the opening term to open up a 45-point lead, with the hosts increasing the margin to 58 points at the main break.
The defensive effort applied to Moulamein continued in the second half, with the Swans managing two goals to nine after the break.
However, accuracy hurt Moulamein on the scoreboard, with the visitors kicking six behinds in the final quarter.
Christopher Foott kicked two of the Swans’s four goals of the match, whilst 11 Maroons players kicked at least one goal.
Rhys Thompson, Daniel Watts and Nathan Leane were best on ground for the Maroons, with Ben Booth, Tom Isma and Cody Storm playing well for Moulamein.
Nullawil will travel to Quambatook this weekend, with Moulamein facing the challenge of hosting defending premiers, Murrabit.
