Football
3 June, 2024
Rats remain on top with win over the Roos
Ararat remains on top of the ladder heading into the bye, following a 41-point win over Dimboola at the Dimboola Recreation Reserve on Saturday in round seven of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Roos brought it to Ararat early with Dylan Landt, Andrew Moore and Ben Miller potent through the midfield, but it was the Rats that took a six-point lead into quarter time.
In the first half of the second quarter, the Roos continued to push, but the Rats started to get on top around the contest and kicked three goals late to take a 28-point lead into the main break.
The Rats held the Roos to one goal in the third term and if it wasn't for inaccurate kicking from the Rats, as they kicked seven behinds for the quarter, the lead would have been bigger than the 41 they had at the last break.
The Rats then ran the game out to win 16.14.110 to 10.9.69. For the Rats, they had 11 different goal kickers with five players kicking two apiece.
Adam Haslett was best on the ground, playing at centre-half-forward kicking two goals for the Rats with Ben Taylor, Alex Van Opstal and Cody Lindsay also among their best players.
Rats co-coach Tom Mills said he was impressed with a couple of the youngsters, highlighting Pat Turner playing his first game, and also Alex Van Opstal.
"We played a new player in Pat Turner, a 16-year-old, who missed the first four weeks through suspension and he got his chance in the forward pocket and through the middle and he was competitive, put pressure around the ball and kicked a goal which was nice," Mills said.
"Alex as a winger is starting to get more comfortable each week and his skill is also getting better. He played more forward yesterday and got himself amongst the goals so that is pleasing to see."
For the Roos, Jack Landt kicked four goals.
Thunder fight out tough win over Tigers
At Davis Park, the Southern Mallee Thunder had a tough 45-point win over Nhill.
The Thunder were challenged early, leading by 20 points at quarter time and at half time.
A five-goal to two third quarter saw them extend the margin to 40 points at three-quarter time and they ran out the game in the last quarter to win 14.13.97 to 7.10.52.
Bradley Lowe again was sensational for the Thunder kicking three goals in a best on the ground display. Rupert Sangster also kicked three goals returning from injury with Sam White and Coleman Schache again among the best for the Thunder.
Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty said it was a tough game.
"They were very competitive and made it a congested game and slowed things down and had numbers behind the ball," Delahunty said.
"With that said, I thought we were in control most of the day and once we started to hit that scoreboard efficiently, we ran away with the game."
As always, the Thunder continue to share the goal kicking and Delahunty said it's good to see the midfielders hitting the scoreboard.
"It's a pleasing aspect to share the load and we now have quite an even spread with the midfielders getting involved," Delahunty said.
For Nhill, Daniel Batson kicked two goals with Jack Mason and Darcy Honeyman among their best players.
Warriors bounce back with big win over the Eagles
Stawell bounced back from their shock loss to the Demons, defeating the Eagles by 72 points at Central Park.
The Warriors held the Eagles goalless in the first quarter to lead by 23 points at quarter time. The Eagles kicked two goals in the second quarter, but the Warriors were well in control, taking a 26-point lead into half time.
The Warriors came out firing in the third quarter, kicking four goals whilst holding the Eagles goalless to lead by 53 points at the main break.
They kept the momentum going in the last quarter to run out 14.18.102 to 4.6.30 winners.
Cody Driscoll kicked a game-high three goals for the Warriors with James Sullivan and Aiden Graveson among their best players, as well as Marlon Motlop who has gelled with the team in his third game for the club.
For the Eagles, Ryan McKenzie kicked two goals with Lachie Stewart, William Batson and Machok Garang among their best players.
Coach Matt Walder said they were fighting hard despite what the scoreboard suggested.
"We were holding on for dear life in the first ten minutes of the third quarter, but they won the battle and broke us," Walder said.
"Lachie Stewart was good with a high work rate on the wing and played in the middle towards the end of the game providing us with a lot of options.
"William Batson played a dual role for us and played on Cody Driscoll mainly, but went into the ruck a bit to help out Machok Garang so he could push forward a bit."
"Declan Powell also played well in the middle. He was good physically and did a lot of grunt work for us."
Saints win thriller against the Burras
At Murtoa Recreation Reserve, the Saints won a three-point thriller over Minyip Murtoa.
The game was tight early, with the Saints taking an 11-point lead into quarter time. The Burras fought back in the second to trail by two points at the main break.
A four-goal to two third quarter saw the Burras lead by eight points at three-quarter time.
The Saints, however, kicked five goals in the last quarter to win 14.9.93 to 13.12.90.
Corey Morgan kicked an equal game-high four goals for the Saints with Cody Bryan and Patrick Knott kicking three apiece. Jordy Keyte, Sam Clyne and Mitch Martin were also among their best players.
For the Burras, Oscar Gawith kicked another four goals with Jay McGrath hitting the scoreboard again with three.
Warwick Stone, Lachlan Jones and Nick Cushing were among their best players.