Football
5 August, 2024
Southern Roos send message in strong victory
Harrow Balmoral defeated the Swifts by 32 points at North Park in round 16 of the Horsham District Football Netball League in what was potentially a grand final preview, showing they are still the team to beat.
The Southern Roos lost Michael Close to a calf injury in the first five minutes of the game, but it didn't stop them from kicking four goals to one to lead by 21 points at quarter-time.
The Swifts kicked six goals in the second quarter to narrow the margin to 14 points at the main break.
The Southern Roos came out firing early in the third, kicking the first three goals and four for the quarter. They restricted the home side to one goal as they extended the lead to 36 points at the final break.
The Baggies battled hard in the last, but the Southern Roos were too strong, running out 16.14.110 to 12.6.78 winners.
Youngster Rhys Daffey was a star for the Southern Roos, kicking another five goals in a best-on-the-ground performance, bringing his tally to 19 in the last five goals. Cody Deutscher also kicked five goals for the Southern Roos.
Jai Thompson was brilliant through the midfield, with Peter Staude, Nick Pekin, and Ethan Appleton among their best.
Paul Summers led the way on the scoreboard for the Baggies, kicking a game-high eight goals, bringing his tally to 92 for the season.
Ryan Folkes battled hard in the middle, with Liam Scott, Angus Murray, and Andrew Cameron among their best.
Southern Roos coach Jai Thompson said Michael Close's injury threw them off guard early.
"We went a bit too long down the line, and without him there, they were getting numbers to the contest and dropping their big blokes back," Thompson said.
"We had to change how we were moving the ball by running a bit harder to get a switch and move it better.
"Once we fixed that up and got the ball moving around the way we wanted, things opened up a lot more."
"We started to get on top of the stoppages, which was a massive part of defeating them, and also not allowing the ball to get down to Summers too often, but he always pops up and can kick goals."
Thompson is confident Close's injury was just a corky.
"He will get scans during the week, and he didn't think he did any damage to it," Thompson said.
"If we do miss him for some weeks, we have Noah Hildebrand, who can play forward. He went forward in the second half and created a contest, and we are confident we have the game plan and players to get the job done."
Tigers find form
Pimpinio has found form ahead of the finals, breaking their two-game losing streak. They powered to a massive 99-point win over Kaniva Leeor at the Pimpinio Sporting Complex.
The Tigers blew the game open in the first quarter, kicking seven goals to one to lead by 33 points at quarter-time.
The Cougars fought hard in the second quarter, and the Tigers only extended their lead to 40 points at the main break.
With second halves a concern all year for the Tigers, they came out firing in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to one to lead by 80 points at the main break.
They remained on top in the last, kicking another seven goals to run out 23.15.153 to 8.6.54 winners.
Nick Groves was a standout up forward for the Tigers, kicking five goals, with Brock Hamerston and Adam Westley chipping in with four apiece. Matthew Rosier, Daniel Baker, and Jye Brown were among their best players.
Fraser Bothe, Daniel White, Billy King, and Jack Stimson were among the best for the Cougars, with Jock Maddern, Patrick Munn, and Sam Vivian kicking two goals apiece.
Saints prevail in a one-point thriller over the Rams
Edenhope Apsley defeated Natimuk by one point at the Natimuk Showgrounds.
The Rams kept the Saints goalless in the first quarter, taking a 16-point lead into quarter-time. They were held goalless in the second quarter, as the Saints fought back to trail by seven points at the main break.
In the third quarter, both teams could score more freely, kicking four goals, with the Rams leading by five points at the main break.
With the Saints kicking with the wind in the last quarter, the Rams fought valiantly but ultimately fell just short, with the Saints running out 9.9.63 to 8.14.62 victors.
Charlie Campbell kicked three goals for the Saints, with Fraser Thompson, Jeremy Kealy, Josh La Rocca, and Christopher La Rocca among the best on the ground.
Cody Frizon kicked three goals for the Rams and was their best player, with Jonathan Lovel, Adam Coutts, Daniel Werner, and Zachary Smith among their best players.
Panthers pounce on the Lakers
Rupanyup scored a 64-point win over Taylors Lake at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve, following an 8-to-1 goal second half.
The Panthers were on top early with the breeze, kicking five goals to nil in the first quarter to lead by 34 points at quarter-time.
The Lakers scored four goals to one in the second quarter, bringing the margin back to 10 points at the main break.
The Panthers pounced on the Lakers in the third quarter, keeping them scoreless and having all of the play. They kicked four goals to lead by 44 points at three-quarter-time. The margin could have been more, with the Panthers kicking ten behinds for the quarter.
The Panthers were too strong in the last, running out the game well to win 14.23.107 to 6.7.43.
Blake Downer and Bill Hansen kicked three goals for the Panthers, with Zachary Robinson, Kieran Sait, Jimmy Finnigan, and Mitchell Gleeson among the best players on the ground.
Justin Beugelaar led the way for the Lakers with five goals, with Trae Martin, Bray Cullinan, Beau Monaghan, and Thomas Clugston among their best.