Sport
24 June, 2023
Bombers claim vital win over Storm
Noradjuha Quantong continue to show they are one of the challengers this year with an impressive 27-point win over Jeparit Rainbow at Sir Robert Menzies Park. The Bombers flew out of the gates early using the wind to their advantage in the first...
Noradjuha Quantong continue to show they are one of the challengers this year with an impressive 27-point win over Jeparit Rainbow at Sir Robert Menzies Park.
The Bombers flew out of the gates early using the wind to their advantage in the first quarter, shutting the Storm out, and kicking 7.3.45. From there they held a comfortable margin all match to win 11.18.84 to 8.9.57.
Bombers coach Damian Cameron was ecstatic with the win.
“Our pressure and attack on the ball and willing to hunt the football was huge,” Cameron said.
“It was a great atmosphere. We knew it was going to be a really hard game but to pull that off and to get the win has pumped us up. We showed we are capable of matching it with top sides and it’s important to get that win,” he added.
It was only a month ago when the Bombers were starting off slow, conceding big leads early, but in the last couple of weeks they have changed that.
When asked what the turning point was, Cameron said it was all about the training.
"We looked at how we started training, and we were slow there so we started to switch on straight away and keeping that mindset, and it replicated well on game day.”
James Hallett was best on ground, getting a lot of the ball in the midfield. Captain Wade Francis showed great leadership and used the ball well off half back. Nigel Kelly came back in and did a good job down back. Brock Orvall was solid through the midfield and up forward and Jack Vague again continues to have a solid year in the ruck.
For the Storm, William Hutchison kicked two goals, with Matthew Synoradzki their best player on the day.
Rupanyup mauled Taylors Lake by 137 points – 28.18.186 to 7.7.49 at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve. Led by coach Brayden Ison with nine goals and Christopher Schaper with seven, the Panthers put on a clinic.
Elliott Kelly was best on ground through the midfield and kicked five goals. Mitchell Gleeson was again solid in the ruck. Oliver Timms playing his second game for the club as a mid-season recruit was prominent on ball and Jacob Christie again was solid on the wing.
Taylors Lake had all their Melbourne players out through injuries, and relied on the younger players. Billy Finnigan again was their best player, continuing to be a workhorse through the midfield and should be leading their best and fairest count. Angus Atchison has been a standout in recent weeks through the midfield, and Max Kamstra held his own in the ruck.
At the Kaniva Recreation Reserve, Kaniva Leeor beat Laharum by 20 points – 10.7.67 to 7.5.47. It was a close match all day, but it was the last quarter that mattered with the home team kicking two goals whilst keeping the Demons goalless.
Coach Hamish Roberts took a few positives out of the game and noted areas that let them down.
“We had our chances. It was a close game all day. We shot ourselves in the foot the way we moved the ball forward and missed a few easy set shots,” Roberts said.
“It was tough conditions – windy and wet and at times we also made some decisions errors at the wrong time.”
“Even though we fell away in the last quarter, I thought our execution and effort was better.
"We are improving in the little areas. We need to improve on our skills and use the ball much better going forward.
"We know that we will put in a lot of pressure and intensity, so we need to see improvement in those other areas moving forward."
Roberts highlighted two young players that are continuing to improve as the year goes on.
“Pat Lattanzio again was terrific. He worked hard all day. As a 19-year-old he continues to improve through game sense and awareness and what is also impressive is his leadership as improved out of sight," he said.
"Jackson Price is also improving each week. He is always hard at it and is getting better with decision making and game awareness on the wing.”
Kalkee found a much needed win at home beating Pimpinio by 9 points – 8.11.59 to 7.8.50. Simon Hobbs, Patrick Mills and Jasper Gunn were the best players for Kalkee.
For Pimpinio, Dylan Bates was excellent through the midfield and Noah Jacobsen was consistent again. Brock Hamerston provided a lot of drive off half back and Liam Jakobi consistent up forward.
Pimpinio coach Clint Burdett spoke about the game and the positives they took out of it.
“We probably should have capitalised on the wind in the first quarter, and that is probably where we lost the game, he said.
"It’s not always easy chasing. On top of that we played with 17 players in the second half due to a couple of yellow cards and undisciplined acts.
“The main positive I take out of the game is that we never gave up. We fought to the end of the game and the boys didn’t drop their heads. If we continue to do that for the rest of the year we will hopefully be able to add a couple more wins,” he concluded.
In the other two matches, Simon Close and Nick Pekin with three goals a-piece led Harrow Balmoral to another comfortable win – 18.17.125 to 1.3.9 over Stawell Swifts at the Balmoral Reserve. Jai Thompson and Will Burbury were again brilliant for the Southern Roo. Matthew Healy kicked the sole goal for the Swifts.
At the Natimuk Showgrounds Edenhope Apsley moved to fourth on the ladder with a hard fought 13-point win over Natimuk. Josh Roman led the way with three goals for the Saints with Flynn Loft best on ground in the 10.14.74 to 8.13.61 victory.