WANDELLA continues to lead the Golden Rivers Football League competition, with the Bombers producing a 56-point win against Hay at the weekend.
Whilst the win moves last season’s semi-finalists two victories clear of Nullawil and Ultima, the result saw the Lions fall to fifth on the ladder and into a battle with defending premiers, Murrabit for a semi-final spot.
In what was a tight match for three quarters, four accurate shots at goal helped Wandella hold a two-point lead at quarter time, before the hosts increased its advantage to 24 points at the main break.
The Lions rallied in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 12 points at the final break, but the Bombers upped the tempo in the fourth term, kicking seven goals to one to secure an 11th win of the season.
Justin Robinson and Sam Sperling kicked four goals each for the Bombers, who also received support from Callaghan Gray and coach, Paul Grayling – who each kicked two goals.
Jackson Ferguson was Hay’s best player, with the former St Kilda player booting three of Hay’s eight goals of the match. Jock Crighton and Angus McSweyn also provided plenty of support for the visitors.
Wandella will have the bye this weekend, whilst the Lions will travel to Macorna.
Blues return to top four
MURRABIT moved back into the top four for the first time since round five, thanks to a 114-point win against Wakool.
Led by a seven-goal effort from Nathan Henry, the Blues took control of the match in the second half to build their percentage going into a key final four weeks of the season.
To Wakool’s credit, the competition’s ninth-placed side challenged the defending premiers for the first half, trailing by 19 points at quarter time and by 30 points at the main break.
However, the resistance that was there in the first hour of the match disappeared, with the visitors kicking 13 goals to one after half-time.
Sam Harvey and Justin McConnell kicked three goals each for the Blues, with Jackson Lowry, Kyle Baker and Joe Thompson booting each of Wakool’s three goals for the game.
McConnell, Bryden Morison and Henry were best on ground for Murrabit, with Thompson and Tyson Webb playing well for the Hawks.
Murrabit will look to add to its growing percentage with a win against Moulamein this weekend, whilst the Hawks will travel to take on a refreshed Ultima side that had this weekend off.
Heslop’s day out
AN 11-GOAL effort from Kal Heslop – which has all but wrapped up the league’s goalkicking title – helped Nullawil produce a 126-point win against Moulamein.
The Maroons added another chapter to its nine-season dominance of the Swans, opening up a 50-point lead at quarter time and a 70-point advantage at the main break.
The lead exceeded triple figures with one term to play, with the Maroons pressing on in the final quarter to ensure it not only jumped above Ultima to sit second on the ladder, but to also build its percentage to 227.82 – the best in the competition.
Andrew Oberdorfer (five goals) and Scott Mathiske (three goals) also led the way for the hosts in front of goal, with Xavia Elford booting three majors for the Swans.
Oberdorfer, Rhys Thompson and Heslop – who has now kicked 68 goals this season – were best on ground for the Maroons, with Matthew Battenally and Tom Isma playing well for the Swans.
Nullawil will look to remain second on the ladder this weekend with a win against Quambatook, with the Swans to travel to Murrabit.
Saints too strong
QUAMBATOOK tightened its grip on a top-six finish with a 70-point win against Macorna.
Led by a six-goal effort from Gregor Knight, the hosts were too strong for the eighth-placed Tigers
The Saints held a 37-point lead at quarter time, which extended to 47 points at the main break.
Quambatook’s ability to keep Macorna to one behind for the third quarter helped the lead extend to 65 points with one term to play – ensuring the club’s two-match losing streak would end.
Jason Linke, Knight and Chris Kendall were best on ground for the Saints, with Laing Whinfield, Jacob McIntosh and Riley Robinson playing well for the Tigers.
Quambatook will travel to Nullawil this weekend, with Macorna to host Hay.
