by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V BEULAH
What a great game this turned out to be. With only a point the difference at ¾ time, we were in for a cracker finish and although the Lakers will be disappointed with their finish, they were by no means disgraced and it took a super last quarter effort by the Blues for them to get over the line.
The game ebbed and flowed for first three quarters, with neither team able to get on top. In fact, it was Jeparit Rainbow who looked most likely to break away in the third quarter when they skipped out to a two goal lead, but it was to be short lived as Beulah then really tightened up on the Lakers and they went on to kick the final six goals of the game.
This was a much better performance by Jeparit Rainbow than the first time they met this season when the Blues won by nearly 100 points. They improved because they played more evenly as a team, all over the ground. So much so that it was not easy to pick standout players, but because their defence stood up so well for most of them match, defenders Nigel Snibson, Mick Eckermann and Corey Price were probable Jeparit Rainbow‘s best.
Mention should also be made of Adam Roll for his effort against one of Beulah’s big guns, Steve Saunders. Roll gave away height, weight and years of experience, yet he stuck to his task, limited Saunders and he looks to have a bright future.
Corey Waldron back from injury got a lot of the ball in the midfield and Justin Chilver performed valiantly in the ruck all day, even if he wasn‘t quite the driving force Jeparit Rainbow have become used to. An injury to another of the Lakers’ main playmakers in Ash Clugston limited his influence after half time. Clugston kept trying hard all day, but it was obvious that he was hampered in his ability to get to the ball.
With Peter Weir well held by Clayton Shannon, the Lakers‘ forward line was always going to struggle against a very experienced Beulah backline.
For the Blues,Dale Shannon and Tyler Lehmann kicked three goals each, Timothy Hill is having a great season and Bradley Shannon played well.
Overall, Beulah proved to be just that bit classier than the gallant Jeparit Rainbow. They were able to run out the game, indicating a superior fitness level and they were able to answer the call when challenged. Nevertheless, the Lakers will be better for this game and with several players needing a run after returning from injury and now they have the knowledge that they can challenge a top team, things could be looking up.
HOPETOUN V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
This was always going to be an important game as a loss would have damaging consequences for both sides. Hopetoun have improved this season and have set themselves the goal of a top four position. For Walpeup Underbool, it has been a disruptive time lately with a change of coaches and only one win for the season. In the end Hopetoun won comfortably, but the Roos maintained their intensity and it was only in the last quarter that the Devils were able to get completely on top.
There was plenty of action from both sides in a game played at a high speed with plenty of running, good skills and some determined tackling. Yet in the end it was Hopetoun’s greater all round pressure for four quarters that won them the game.
If Hopetoun set up the win with a nine goal haul in the second quarter, Walpeup Underbool came back in the third and by ¾ time they were only three goals down. The Devils were held to one goal in the third quarter, but they were able to limit the damage by holding the Roos to five when it could have been more.
Jim Wakefield was great in defence for the Roos, he was solid, dependable and used his strength and speed to advantage. It was good to see Matt Brown back amongst the goals scoring six, Ross Stone played well, as did coaches Kane Munro and Chris Vorwerk.
This was a high scoring game, the Roos had eight goal scorers, but Hopetoun had twelve. This highlighted the difference between the two teams, the Devils had more players all over the ground who were able to contribute just that little bit more enabling them to come out on top.
For Hopetoun, Zac Taggert continued his great form, Tom Pridgeon kicked four goals, Scott Heath played well and kicked two and Quentin Willmott worked hard all day. Hopetoun would be pleased that they played so well without the services of one of their better players, Marcus Burdett. Burdett was best for Mallee in a winning interleague team the week before and he will be a bonus for the Devils when he returns.
OUYEN UNITED V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
In the end, Ouyen United were too big, too strong and too talented for a dogged, but undermanned Woomelang Lascelles. The Cats tried valiantly in patches, particularly early, but seemed to lose heart after quarter time and allowed their opponents far too much latitude.
Ouyen United players such as Peter Caldow, Corey Gregg, Glenn Joyce and Marc Hahnel don’t need much leeway before their own strength and speed enable them to make space, run to a position, gather the ball and then feed it off to a team mate.
The Dees had leading targets in Sonny Lindsay, Robert Miller and full forward Ash Connick, who relied just as much on his strength and marking ability as on his leads, and did not wander too far from the goal square and ended up with nine.
Young Woomelang Lascelles player Trent Donnan got a bit of the ball and kicked a good goal early in the second quarter, and the even younger Brodie Adcock did well to make position and will do even better once he matures and fills out. It was a tough initiation for the valiant young Cats.
Ouyen United always seemed to have at least one player with the ability to dominate a part of the game. In the first quarter it was Peter Caldow with two goals, and the courageous Jarrod Munro who made space and marked everything in sight; in the second quarter coach Ryan O’Callaghan bobbed up with three goals and in the third quarter, Marc Hahnel was outstanding. At one stage he tackled a Woomelang Lascelles player in the forward pocket on the boundary line, freed up the ball, pounced on it and spun around, all in one fluid movement and then passed to Ryan O’Callaghan who goaled. Not two minutes later he casually did much the same thing, but this time Ash Connick was on the receiving end of Hahnel’s creative play.
The Demons did well all day around the packs. Jason Hahnel and the fast improving Todd Barker were able to get the ball out to their running players and it was the class of Glenn Joyce and new recruit Brett Knowles, and the speed of the two Greggs that enabled United to dominated large parts of the game. It said a lot that by ¾ time the Dees had 35 scoring shots to a paltry 5.
It was hard to find a beaten Demon all day. Geoff Crook got a lot of the ball down back, Ben Gregg was prominent and took a screamer late in the second quarter and Robbie Miller was able to achieve deep penetration with his accurate kicking.
Yet there were good passages of play from the Cats. Joel Donnan’s goal in the first quarter from centre half forward was a beautiful kick, Clayton Lee kicked another good goal, Daniel Quinn never stopped trying and Dylan Bett was a contributor; but this was a very impressive Ouyen United victory.
Last Modified on 13/06/2010 12:41