Boort v St Arnaud
At Cobram Estate Oval Boort the home side could match it with the Saints in the opening term. St Arnaud took control of the game early and slammed on seven first quarter goals to the Magpies two and it looked like the visitors were in for a big day. Douglas was giving the Saints plenty of drive from the centre and repeatedly pushed the ball into the Saints forwards, Coghlan was in the action early and kicked the Saints early goals and he was being well supported by Needs. Boort who started slowly was finally able to record a couple of majors deep into the first term and this did reduce the Saints lead back to 27-points at the first break.
Boort came out a different team in the second quarter and were quick to post goals to Welsh and Easton as the continued to reduce the Saints lead. Douglas and Patching responded for the Saints and the lead was creeping back out mid-term and that is when the Magpies seemed to find another gear and their increased endeavour helped produce more major scoring opportunities resulting in six goals for the quarter and their backline was able to restrict the Saints forwards to just three goals and at the half time break the margin was only six-points in favour of the Saints.
It was game on in the third term with Boort being able to continue their push for victory and produce their fourth straight win in a row, but the Saints were not that keen to let this happen. Boort managed to kick four third quarter goals and were able to again restrict the Saints in their efforts to post a winning score and at the three quarter time break Boort had taken the lead, while only by less than a kick it was still a lead going into the final term.
Both Coaches took the opportunity to rev-up their troops for the final run home, Boort struck early when White kicked his third goal of the day to give the home side a bit of breathing space. Needs and Dingo got the Saints back in front after they had missed easy opportunities in the early part of the term, Henningson replied for the Magpies to wipe of the Saints lead and it was all tied up with time running out for both sides a point to St Arnaud gave them back the lead and time was quickly running out, Boort gave one last effort to claim the lead and they pushed the ball forward in the dying seconds of the game and they were rewarded with a major score to regain the lead which they done in the nick of time as the ball was restarted in the middle the final bell sounded to give the Magpies victory by five points and they continue their winning run. The Saints were gallant in defeat and as they had done the previous match to the Navy Blues winning in the last play of the day, the tables turned on them this time.
Final scores Boort 15-9=99 def St Arnaud 14-10=94
Best for Boort: Aaron Wilson, Shannon Millward, Matt Hodoras, Andrew Welsh, Sam Taylor and Dale Cameron. Goals: A. Welsh 4, R. Easton, A. White 3, rest singles.
Best for the Saints: Nick Baldwin, Nick Coghlan, Jacob Patching, Ben Batters, Ricky Wild, Lachlan Cunningham. Goals: Nick Coghlan, D. Needs 3, Jacob Patching, T. Douglas, K. Dingo 2, rest singles.
Birchip-Watchem v Wedderburn
In a fast and furious opening term both sides were hard at the ball with no players giving any ground. The Bulls were first on the board when Neeson posted their first for the day. It didn’t take the Redbacks long to respond when Sam Barnes brought up the first of his seven goals for the day. Neeson was back in business shortly after kicking his second, Barnes at the other end was also sending strong signals of his intentions for the day when he posted two more goals to give the Redbacks a six point lead at the first change.
Scoring opportunities were not easy to come by in the second quarter where the ball was again being hotly contested. Castellano levelled the scores with his goal in the opening minutes of the term and from here on the scoring appeared to dry up. Wedderburn won a free and from the kick Herdman made no mistake, Barnes and De Araugo also added to the Redbacks tally just prior to the half time break giving Wedderburn a seventeen point lead at the main break.
In the third term the Bulls threw everything at the Redbacks and the pushed the ball into their forward line on many occasions with the majority of opportunities going astray. Wedderburn through Nathan Holt broke through for the first goal of the quarter this was then responded to by the Bulls when Castellano kicked two goals and the Redbacks lead at three quarter time had been reduced to just 12-points.
With the game in the balance the Bulls would have been proud of their efforts to this point against the ladder leaders, but the job was not yet finished. Both sides added a couple of majors by mid-term but it was at this time the Redbacks stamped their authority and the went on to score the last five goals of the game with the last of their goals being kicked by first gamer in Ryan Butters right on the siren, this brought every Wedderburn player to join with him in his celebration of his first major at Senior level with the Redbacks. Wedderburn run out winners by 47-points in what was a very interesting contest which had a bit of everything we come to expect from a game of footy in the country.
Final score: Wedderburn 15-9=99 def Birchip-Watchem 7-10=52
Best for the Redbacks: M. Lloyd, D. Gash, A. Chalkley, S. Barnes, L. McCarthy and N. Holt.
Goals: Sam Barnes 7, Nathan Holt 3, B. Herdman 2, rest singles.
Best for the Bulls: T. Carland, S. O’Loughlin, J. Christie, J. Cusack, J. Booth, B. Noonan, J. Lee.
Goals: S. Neeson, D. Castellano 3, S. O’Loughlin 1.
Charlton v Donald
Charlton were always in charge in this game and never looked threatened by the Royal Blues and the home side set the pattern of the day from the first bounce which continued right throughout the day. Charlton led at every change leading by 21-points at quarter time, 63-points at half way, and 83 points at three quarter time and posted a 99-point win at full time.
The Charlton side went into this contest down some key players but on the plus side they did regain some players from long term injuries. Charlton has now regained second position on the North Central league ladder. Donald would be disappointed with their final tally for the day being 3-8, but when you are rebuilding scores like this happen more regularly than not.
Final scores Charlton 18-17=125 def Donald 3-8=26
Best for Charlton: D. Thiesz, B. Walklate, R. Collins, A. McKenzie, S. Rogan and J. McLean. Goals: D. Thiesz 5, J. McGrath 4, L. Kyrakidies, M. Laffin 2 rest single.
Best for Donald: D. Pearce, N. Witherow, L. Carr, A. Sheridan, D. Harrison, G. Wyatt.
Goals: W. McAllister, M. Cashin and W. Sexton 1 each.
Next Week
Donald v St Arnaud
Boort v Wedderburn
Wycheproof-Narraport v Birchip-Watchem, (50 year reunion of amalgamation Celebrations)
Bye Charlton
Last Modified on 02/06/2014 10:08