Sport
2 May, 2023
Tigers fall short in thriller
PIMPINIO narrowly missed out on winning their second game of the Horsham District Football Netball League season losing by five points to Kaniva Leeor at the Kaniva Recreation Reserve. It was a close battle all day with neither team giving an inch...
PIMPINIO narrowly missed out on winning their second game of the Horsham District Football Netball League season losing by five points to Kaniva Leeor at the Kaniva Recreation Reserve.
It was a close battle all day with neither team giving an inch, but in the last quarter it was Kaniva Leeor that got the job done winning 18.7.115 to 16.14.110.
Beau Nunan led the way for the home team with seven goals and Lachie Jones, Billy King, Frazer Bradley were all standouts during the day. For Pimpino, following from his six last week, Dylan Bates kicked seven and 16-year old Frederick Frew kicked six to show he has a promising future.
The Tigers had plenty of opportunities in the last to win the game having eight scoring shots for four majors. Coach Clint Burdett explained what happened to his young side.
“The conditions were perfect and it was a fast-paced game. At the end of the day, the fittest side won the game,” Burdett said.
“We had a lot more shots on goal but couldn’t convert. We also didn’t run the game out that well. There was a bit of fatigue from the week before playing in the wet conditions and the boys are still getting used to playing footy – there was a lot of cramping,” he added.
Despite the loss, Burdett is taking a lot of positives out of the game.
“Our ball movement and willing to move the footy as quick as we can is a huge plus. Compared to where we were last year, the fitness level has gone up and we are looking forward to what is to come,” he said.
New recruit Jason Westley was the best player for the Tigers and Burdett liked what he brought to the midfield.
“Jason is a good user of the football and he showed that on the weekend. Being Vice Captain he controlled the corridor with his voice and his direction was very important,” Burdett explained.
“Corey Mann missed a lot of footy with a broken collarbone last year. It was good to have him back running off the half back flank playing ripping footy,” he concluded.
In the Reserves the Tigers had a solid 8.8.56 to 6.7.43 win.
At Dock Lake Recreation Reserve, despite nine goals from recruit James Magner, Taylors Lake lost to Edenhope Apsley by 17 points. The Lakers have shown their improvement this year keeping the game close, eventually losing 14.8.92 to 16.13.109.
Cleve Hughes kicked a bag for the Saints with seven with Timothy McIntyre chipping in with four. Harrison Evans and Josh Roman were also solid for the Saints.
For the Lakers, Koby Westerland, Ryan Gebert and William Hetherington all had solid games, but it was Magner whom was the standout.
Coach Kyle Pinto was thrilled with their biggest recruit.
“He is an absolute star. We played him midfield to start with as we were a couple midfielders short,” Pinto said.
“He got a couple of important clearances early and then went to full forward and kicked three in the first and four in the second. We kept him at full forward and used him as a target,” he added.
Pinto said that Ryan Gebert and Koby Westerland were solid in defence.
“They were really composed. Gebert went into the midfield late and showed good skills. We wanted Westland to play midfield more but they had some dangerous players down back and he played a great lockdown role and was really good for us.”
Asked what positives the Lakers can bring from the game Pinto said.
“We have been in winning positions in both of our matches so far. If at the end of last year you said to the players and supporters that we would be in game for as long as we are they wouldn’t have believed it. The feedback is that they are all happy with where we are at.”
“We are playing the brand of footy we want to play. The pressure is huge and we are kicking goals and the defence is tightening up and I am happy with that as a coach,” Pinto concluded.
Taylors Lake Reserves also lost 7.5.47 to 14.7.91
Following a draw last week, Rupanyup went back home and had a solid 43-point win over Noradjuha Quantong. Jack Musgrove and Blake Turner hit the scoreboard with five and four goals respectively with Braydon Ison chipping in with three winning 14.6.90 to 7.14.56.
Mitch Musgrove, Jordan and Lachie Weidemann and Mitchell Gleeson were the best players for the Panthers on the day.
For the Bombers, Brayden Culhane led the way again with three goals with Midfielder Brock Orval again their best player and Ruckman Jack Vague having a solid game.
Coach Damien Cameron pointed out Vague as someone whom is improving.
“Jack is impressing. After a quiet year last year he has had a solid pre-season and he is impressing,” Cameron said.
“His hit outs to advantage and work rate around the ground is standing out. He is playing 90% of game time in the ruck on his own and to play well against Gleeson is very promising,” he added.
Cameron also explained how disappointed they are how they didn’t play the way they wanted to previously and noted discipline and inaccuracy as factors.
“We went out there hoping to win. The preparation was good and coming off two good performances, we were hopeful with what we could achieve.”
“I feel we got a good start in the first quarter but we couldn’t convert. When they got it forward they were accurate. If we converted early, it would have put the pressure on.”
“All the shots on goal were kickable. We needed to capitalise to put the pressure on and we couldn’t.”
“After a good start we fell away bad and we were undisciplined with a few yellow cards and free kicks as well,” he concluded.
It was good news for the Reserves however with the Bombers running out 15-point winners - 8.9.57 to 6.6.42
At Cameron Oval, Laharum lost by 121 points – 3.3.21 to 20.7.127.
For Laharum, Shannon Argall kicked their three goals with Reuben Launder, Oliver Sykes and Cody Richard all were among their best players.
Noah Stirling led the way for Swifts with four goals with Matthew Healy, Liam Scott and Kobe Lowe the better players on the ground.
Having a lot of young players in the team, Demons Coach Glenn Doyle pointed out some positives including four players who are taking steps in their development.
“Ollie Sykes in the ruck as an 18-year-old is tracking along nicely. Giving away 35kg and 10 years of football, he did a really good job on the day,” Doyle said.
“Jackson Price on the wing also did really well. Alec McCallum and Dylan Cross came into the backline and handled it well. They played to their best and fought the game right out,” he concluded.
At Sir Robert Menzies Park, Jeparit Rainbow again showed they are going to be one of the teams to watch this year handing 2022 runners up Kalkee an 86 point loss – 18.20.128 to 6.6.42. Peter Wier kicked a game high five goals and Thomas Clark, Brad Stokes, Nicholas Yarran and William Hutchison were also among the better players on the ground.
For Kalkee, Simon Hobbs, Matthew McGee, Jasper Gunn and Alexander McRae were also solid. Deacan Campbell and Jayden Kuhne both had a team high two goals.
In the final match, Harrow Balmoral showed why they are a premiership fancy with a 99 point win over Natimuk at Balmoral Reserve. Nick Pekin had a game high five goals with Jai Thompson kicking four in the 24.13.157 to 9.4.58 win.
Simon Close, Will Burbury, Michael Close and Anthony Close were all brilliant for the Southern Roo.
For the Rams, Mitch Riddell kicked a team high three goals with Todd Stevenson, Jonathan Lovel, Jesse Wilkinson, Coby Mines and Josh Pekin their best players.