DEFENDING Golden Rivers Football Netball League premiers, Wandella continued its dominance over 2017 grand finalists, Ultima on Saturday.
New recruits Cody Schepers (four goals) and Lachie Allison led the way as the Bombers defeated the ‘Roos by 37 points.
Playing against for the first time since last season’s decider and at the same venue, the hosts controlled the game from the onset, keeping the visitors goalless in the opening term and to only three majors by the final change of ends
By this stage of the match Wandella led by 30 points, before an 11-goal final term which the Bombers claimed by six goals to five.
Schepers was prolific in the forward line, with Jason Iannucci (three goals) and Bombers coach, Paul Grayling (two goals) providing valuable assistance.
Allison’s defensive skills helped keep Ultima’s forwards quiet, with Arnold Kirby (three goals) and Stephen Lyons (two goals) the visitors’ leading players in front of goal.
Cooper Condely and Grayling also played well for Wandella, with Luke O’Toole and Adrian Knee standing out for Ultima.
Wandella will host Murrabit this weekend, with the ‘Roos to take on Hay.
Henry’s day out
IT WAS a day of celebration for Murrabit forward, Nathan Henry in the Blues’ 211-point win against Wakool.
The former Blues coach kicked 14 goals – including his 1000th major for the club – as the hosts became the fourth side this year to boot more than 30 goals against the Hawks.
The performance was also Henry’s best individual effort this decade and one of his best hauls since setting the GRFNL record of 25 goals against Quambatook in 2005.
The signs of what Wakool would face were evident in the opening quarter, with the New South Wales-based side kept scoreless as Murrabit held an 81-point lead at the first break.
The Blues’ procession continued in the second quarter, with the side restricting Wakool to one behind for the first half as the margin increased to 138 points.
Although Daniel Kirby and Jackson Lowry kicked goals in the second half for the Hawks, Murrabit managed eight goals in the third term and six majors in the final term.
Justin McConnell also kicked seven goals for the Blues, with Dylan Morison best on ground.
Joe Thompson and Brady Walerys played well for the Hawks, who host Quambatook this weekend.
The Blues – who are fourth on the ladder – take on Wandella.
Bunyan’s strong season
FORMER Hay coach, Simon Bunyan is continuing his best season for the club, kicking 10 goals in the Lions’ 182-point win against Quambatook.
The competition’s northernmost club is on top of the ladder after the first month of the season, with Saturday’s game the third consecutive time the Lions have kicked at least 30 goals in a match this season.
The Saints struggled against their much fancied opponents, kicking one behind for the first half to trail by 100 points at the main break.
Although Quambatook’s four goals for the match came in the second half, the Lions were able to double their score.
Angus McSweyn also kicked six goals for the hosts, with Christopher Stone booting half of the Saints’ score.
Joshua Dawson and Jarryd Walsh were best on ground for Hay, with Jack Campain the leading player for Quambatook.
Hay’s toughest challenge of the season will occur this weekend when the side travels to Ultima, with the Saints to look for a second win of the season when the team travels to Wakool.
Maroons’ run grows
NULLAWIL continued its decade-long dominance over Moulamein at the weekend, with the Maroons producing a 117-point win against the Swans.
Unlike the Mallee-based side’s opening two wins of the season, the club’s three forward spearheads – Karl Heslop, Andrew Oberdorfer and Phillip Lobb – booted eight of the 21 goals the victors scored, with Oberdorfer’s six majors the leading contribution.
The Maroons led by 37 points by quarter time, before a five-goal to one second term saw the margin increase to 68 points at the main break.
The visitors’ lead remained around the 13-goal mark at the final change of ends, but increased significantly in the last quarter after the Swans were kept goalless in the fourth term.
Dylan Wright (four goals) also dominated in the forward line for the Maroons, with Matt Heslop and Jordan Humphreys standing out for the victors.
Josh Gadsden kicked two of Moulamein’s four goals for the match, with Max Baldissera and Ben Booth playing well.
Nullawil has the bye this weekend before taking on Wandella on May 12, with the Swans to play Macorna in four days’ time.
