Sport
24 August, 2024
Noradjuha Quantong lock down Panthers to claim 139-point win | HDFNL finals
Noradjuha Quantong beat Rupanyup in a HDFNL elimination final.
The Noradjuha Quantong Bombers have claimed an impressive win in the first elimination final of the 2024 HDFNL against the Rupanyup Panthers, 23.18 (156) - 2.5 (17).
The Bombers controlled the contest from the first bounce, dominating the midfield and giving the Panthers few opportunities to push forward.
Elimination Final
HDFNL
Noradjuha Quantong coach Damian Cameron said earning such a dominant victory was not something he expected from the match up.
"You always set yourself up for a tough games, so then you're set up physically and mentally to go," he said.
"Obviously we came in with confidence that if we can play our best footy we could come away with a good win, as we did a couple of weeks ago against [Rupanyup].
"But, to play a four quarter game like that in finals is massive."
Rupanyup made it indised 50 only a handful of times, and only looked threatening once, but the Bombers repelled them and kept the side scoreless to the first break.
The Panthers found points with a goal in the second and a behind in the third, but Noradjuha Quantong soared away with the lead.
Cameron put the Bombers control of Rupanyup's scoring down to a strong defenders.
"I guess one of our quiet achievers is our backline," he said.
"They go a little bit unnoticed because you got your midfielders and goal scorers who get in the best, but our ability to defend through our back half is really, really good."
A common occurance through the match for both sides was wayward kicks.
Noradjuha Quantong saw three consecutive shots in the opening quarter sail wide of all the posts.
And, chaining marks together was difficult.
"It was actually a very very bad football," Cameron said.
"It's frustrating because you try and link up and have nice set pieces of play and finish off with goals, but when no one can kick a drop punt its a little bit hard."
Noradjuha Quantong's Judah Hobbs had a day to remember at full forward, topping the goal scoring with eight.
Brock Orval also enjoyed considerable scoreboard success with six majors off his boot.
With this 139-point win, Noradjuha Quantong has sent a serious warning shot to its finals rival.
The Bombers now await the winner of Sunday, August 25's elimination final between.
It was a long drive back home for the Rupanyup faithful, the club saw its three final teams take to the field, and all three ended up on the losing side.
The under 17s lost to Kaniva Leeor United 12.14 (86) - 8.6 (54).
With seven majors, Max Sudholz kicked all but one of the Panthers goals.
Kaniva Leeor United's Harrison Tink, Shayden Saunders and Leeroy Grant each kicked three.
Rupanyup's reserve side also lost to Laharum, 19.23 (137) - 3.5 (23).
Laharum's Hamish Roberts kicked seven goals.
And, Edenhope Apsley beat Pimpinio, 4.8 (32) - 1.5 (11), in the under 14s.