Sport
19 May, 2023
Tigers climb into top six
PIMPINIO is in Horsham District Football League’s top six after claiming a vital victory over Noradjuha Quantong on Saturday. Pimpinio won the battle by five points and came out firing in the first quarter kicking six goals to one. The Bombers...
PIMPINIO is in Horsham District Football League’s top six after claiming a vital victory over Noradjuha Quantong on Saturday.
Pimpinio won the battle by five points and came out firing in the first quarter kicking six goals to one. The Bombers slowly edged back trailing by 19 points at both half time and three quarter time and despite a five-goal to three final quarter it was the Tigers holding on winning 11.10.76 to 10.11.71.
Clinton Burdett led the way for the Tigers with three goals whilst Cam Bruce made a solid return to senior football kicking four goals himself for the Bombers.
Tigers coach Clint Burdett described the win as the best the club has had in the last 10 years.
“It was brilliant. The boys came out fast and to their credit they held on when the Bombers were coming,” Burdett said.
“As a young team, to play the way they did, I am very happy,” he added.
Noah Jacobsen, Liam Jakobi, Brayden Webb, Dylan Bates and Brock Hamerston were all solid for the Tigers again but it was Ruckman Reece McNally that Burdett wanted to talk about.
“Reece was very solid all day. He is coming into some good form and it’s good to see that building. I thought he handled himself well and gave the midfield plenty of opportunity,” Burdett explained.
“To be sitting on 3 wins already is a great achievement and I am confident the team will continue to build,” he concluded.
Bombers coach Damian Cameron gave credit to Pimpinio and also lamented their first quarter.
“Pimpinio hunted the ball in numbers and ran it on top of the ground early. They jumped us and to their credit they deserved that quarter time lead,” Cameron said.
“It was also disappointing for us. I spoke to the guys about that happening. We were just not ready for it,” he added.
The Tigers kicked the first two goals of the second quarter to extend the lead to seven goals but to the Bombers credit they responded and Cameron was pleased to see it happen.
“We turned around the game half way through that second. We played the way we wanted to play. They were still able to kick goals but to peg back the margin slowly and to get on top was credit to the boys,” Cameron described.
“At three quarter time I told the boys to back themselves in and take the game on and they did but unfortunately the Tigers managed to kick a couple of goals but we will take a lot of positives from the game.”
Cameron pointed out forward Cam Bruce and Backmen Wade Francis and James Kerr as their great players during the game.
“Cam had an injury interrupted pre-season. He also got covid which didn’t help. Over the last few weeks he has played good games in the reserves and got a chance and he took it. He is a smart forward and found himself in the game by finding good areas to get the ball and then use it really well,” Cameron said.
“Wade Francis and James Kerr off half back acquitted themselves well under pressure. James is a good one on one player and Wade is a smart player that can read the play, got a lot of the ball and used it well,” he concluded.
Battling injuries, Taylors Lake lost by 114 points to Jeparit Rainbow at Sir Robert Menzies Park. Javadd Anderson and Zachary Pietzsch both kicked four goals for the home team in the 19.23.137 to 3.5.23 victory.
Taylors Lake didn’t kick a score in the first quarter trailing by 53 points at quarter time before winning the second quarter 2.2.14 to 1.7.13. Taylors Lake coach Kyle Pinto pointed out the second quarter as a positive.
“We got blown away in the first quarter and we competed the best we can. To respond to win that second quarter was nice to see,” Pinto said.
“Unfortunately, they ran over the top of us in the second half. Apart from the first quarter, parts of the third quarter and the last, I thought we competed well with the team we fielded,” Pinto added.
Pinto praised a few of his youngsters.
“As a new recruit, Riley Hall is a ripping kid. He played in the backline and as a little bloke he played well. He got plenty of the ball and he can also defend. It was his best game of the year,” Pinto said.
“Koby Westerland was solid again in defence as a lock down defender. He defended well with the ball going in there numerous times.”
“Billy Finnigan is a hard nut who is now finding form. He is leading from the front and as one of the local boys that is good to see. Trae Martin as well as a local is in a good patch of form – both players as stand in skippers are doing a great job and showing fight,” Pinto explained.
Mitchell Crough came down from Warracknabeal to play and was also one of the best players for the Lakers on the day.
“We borrowed him from the Eagles and played him centre half back and he was really good. Unfortunately we can’t keep him, but he did a job for us and I am happy with him,” Pinto said.
“Beau Monaghan was excellent on the wing. He has good pace and when we need speed he delivers and finally Troy Brimble as a new recruit did well kicking two goals. Playing in the middle he is finding it tough but he is responding and that was his best game for the club,” Pinto concluded.
At the Kalkee Recreation Reserve, despite the scoreline, Laharum were competitive in their 32 point loss to Kalkee. Deacan Campbell and Douglas Grining led the way with the home team with two goals a-piece whilst for Laharum it was Josh Haby and Jackson Price with two and oen goal respectively in the 7.11.53 to 3.3.21 loss.
Laharum were in the game in the first half. At quarter time they trailed by nine points and they got within two points in the second quarter, but some undiscipline and minor incidents pushed the momentum back to Kalkee and despite fighting bravely, they couldn’t get back into the game.
Laharum coach Glenn Doyle spoke after the game.
“The second quarter was disappointing but to Kalkee’s credit they played well. Our young team responded well in the second half to keep the game close and the third quarter I thought they did extremely well,” Doyle said.
Doyle praised the youngsters for standing tall and playing well.
Jarrod Kemp, Astrin Morrison, Sean Wouters, Pat Lattanzio and Jackson Price all had solid games. They are a mix of teenagers and early 20’s and to see them play well week in week out is a good sign for not only the year, but the future,” Doyle explained.
Doyle also pointed out the experience of Brett Ervin as vital.
“It is good to see these young players play well, but as a senior player in the side, Brett Ervin is doing exceptionally well at Centre Half Back. I believe he is the best CHB in the league and he does his job week in week out leading from the front,” Doyle concluded.
Harrow Balmoral kept their unbeaten record with a 143 point mauling of Kaniva at Harrow Reserve on Saturday. The Southern Roo were relentless with Simon Close again kicking a bag – this time six goals with James Staude and Jai Thompson also chipping in with four a-piece in the 24.13.157 to 2.2.14 scoreline. Nick Pekin and Michael Close also dominated for the home team
For Kaniva, it was Beau Nunan that kicked the only two goals. Mason Hein, Hamish Bennett and Billy King all tried hard and were amongst the Kaniva best.
At Edenhope Football Ground a 10-goal performance from Braydon Ison saw Rupanyup thrash Edenhope Apsley by 157 points; 26.14.170 to 2.1.13. Scott Niewand and Ryan Timmins both kicked five and three goals respectively for the Panthers with Lachlan Weidemann and Bill Hansen dominating around the ground.
Edenhope managed one goal in the first three quarters whilst the Panthers kicked nine, six and four to lead by 117 points at three quarter time. The Panthers didn’t stop there kicking a further seven goals in the last.
For the Saints Josh La Rocca and Ben McIntre kicked their only two goals with Clint Rokebrand, David McLeish and Harrison Evans all amongst the best on the day.
At North Park, the Swifts had a comfortable 61-point win over Natimuk – 21.14.140 to 11.13.79. Shaun Grigg and Lachlan Harris both kicked seven goals for Swifts and Rams respectively. For the Swifts, Joseph Martin was best on ground again with Scott Carey and Brett Hargreaves also solid throughout the day. For the Rams, Mitch Riddell, Matthew Lee and Josh Pekin all played well.