Football
27 May, 2024
Thunder reaching new heights
The Southern Mallee Thunder made another statement in round six of the Wimmera Football Netball League, this time blowing away premiership contender Dimboola by 104 points at Rainbow Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
It was the first time the Thunder had played at Rainbow and they put on a treat for the home fans, blasting to a 29-point lead at quarter time.
A seven to two-goal blitz in the second quarter is where they sealed the game, running out to a 10-goal lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, they kicked another five goals, restricting Dimboola to one to extend that margin to 85 points. In the last quarter, they ran out the game with another five goals, winning 22.15.147 to 6.7.43.
Recruit Brad Lowe kicked six goals for the Thunder, bringing his tally for the year to 16 in four games.
Thomas Clarke and Liam Nelson kicked three goals apiece whilst Jack Baird, Coleman Schache and Sam White all kicked two.
Nelson was named best on the ground with brothers Heath and Oscar Smith sensational down back. Coleman Schache and Thomas Clarke were also the best players alongside Bradley Lowe.
For the Roos, Jackson Calder was limited to two goals whilst Dylan Landt, Darcy Dubois and Patrick Lindsey all hit the scoreboard.
Benjamin Brett and Ben Miller were also among the best.
The win makes it the Thunder's second consecutive, triple-figure margin and third for the season in just five games.
Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty said they are starting to gel.
"Everyone is going alright and it has been a good fortnight for the club," Delahunty said.
"We have a lot of guys playing their roles and doing team things. I think we are starting to gel together and learn how each other plays and starting to get a bit of continuity."
With Lowe starring up forward, Delahunty said that his size is a hard matchup for opposition teams.
"He is providing a good target out of full forward and has vice-like hands and provides a tough matchup with his awkward size," Delahunty said.
It was the Smith brothers, however, that caught Delahunty's eye.
"Heath was second best in our grand final last year and has just started a role down back in the last twelve months," Delahunty said.
"He was sensational across halfback and provided a lot of run and carry and was good aerially and took a lot of good intercepts.
"Oscar had the job on Jackson Calder and kept him to two goals. He got injured before last year's finals series and is one of those guys that does the team things and plays the selfless role."
"Our back six were brilliant and repelled everything Dimboola threw at us and stood up well."