Sport
5 May, 2023
Roos maintain unbeaten record
DIMBOOLA has made it three wins from the opening three rounds after a stirring victory over Horsham at the Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The Roos claimed a 14-point victory over the Demons who stormed out of the blocks before being overrun in...
DIMBOOLA has made it three wins from the opening three rounds after a stirring victory over Horsham at the Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Roos claimed a 14-point victory over the Demons who stormed out of the blocks before being overrun in a thrilling contest that was only decided late in the game.
Horsham jumped out of the blocks in the opening term with five goals for the quarter and led by 21 points at quarter time as the Roos found themselves behind the eight ball from the opening flurry.
Elliott Braithwaite opened scoring for the Roos with his team’s first goal, while Jono Ross converted from a set shot, but the Demons kicked three unanswered goals during the term to set up its lead at quarter time.
But the Roos were able to reduce the margin in the second quarter as coach Jack Landt started to put a stamp on the contest cutting the margin with the first of four goals for the day.
Horsham answered through Jordan Motton before the Roos kicked the next three goals through Michael Graham, Aisea Raikiwasa and Sam Godden to reduce the deficit.
A couple of minor scores from the Roos prevented them from leading at half time as they controlled play in its forward half and faced a five-point deficit at half time.
The third term produced a classic quarter of football as the match swung one way and then the other with 12 goals being scored as the Roos kicked seven and took the lead at the last change by nine points.
An opening goal to Sam Godden courtesy of a miracle snap put the Roos in front by one point before Jordan Motton goaled to take back the advantage for the Demons.
A second goal to Graham put the Roos back in front and when Landt kicked successive goals, the Roos grabbed the ascendency.
But the Demons hit back hard with the next three goals through Motton, Brody Pope and Jeremy Kemp from close range, taking back the lead by two points.
Adding to the spectacle of the term, Dimboola then kicked the next three goals when Graham goaled from the goal line, Patrick Lindsey goaled and then Tom Cree put the Roos 16 points in front, converting from 10 metres out.
Motton then produced a piece of magic to goal for the Demons from long range and when Ben Lakin hit the post on the run on the three quarter time siren, the difference was nine points as both sides took a breathe from the frantic pace of the match.
The final quarter maintained the intensity of the match as Simon Nuske goaled after a strong tackle before Jono Ross kicked his second goal of the day from close range to open up a 21-point lead.
Motton kicked his fourth to keep the Demons in the frame and cut the margin to 15 points.
Landt then slotted his fourth goal from long range to give the Roos back a 21 point margin and many thought the home team had broken the camels back, but the Demons refused to throw in the towel and kicked the next two goals through Motton and a miracle snap by Cullen Williams on the boundary line.
The goals cut the margin to nine points as players struggled to regain their breathe but the Roos then grabbed a decisive break when Billy Hayes kicked successive goals with his second taking the lead back out to 21 points in the time on period.
His second also involved a heavy collision of friendly fire which resulted in Matt Rosier being forced from the ground after a heavy collision with team-mate Graham.
Motton topped a big game in attack to kick his sixth, and final, goal of the match as the Roos celebrated a 14-point win with Landt, Ross and Hayes producing strong games in an even team performance.
In other matches, the game of the round at Murtoa saw Southern Mallee Giants return from a bye to claim a powerful 34-point victory over reigning premier Minyip-Murtoa to make their mark on the 2023 competition.
The match at Murtoa saw new Giants coach Kieran Delahunty come up against his former club for the first time and came away with bragging rights after the Giants controlled the game to claim victory.
The Giants led at every change and with a five goal to three second term opened up a 22-point lead at half time before building on its work to the final siren with Sam Weddell producing a big game and Josh Webster kicking five goals for the match.
Ladder leader Ararat has produced a dominant display to down Warrack Eagles on their home ground at Alexandra Oval with the Rats continuing on their unbeaten way with a resounding 73-point victory.
In the final game of the round, Horsham Saints enjoyed a strong start to the match and extended its advantage with each quarter to run out comfortable victors by 35 points.
Jarrod Garth added another four goals to his tally as the Saints held the Warriors to just five goals in another strong defensive display.