Football
15 July, 2024
Swifts remain equal top with another great win
The Swifts remain equal top on the ladder with Harrow Balmoral following a comfortable victory against Kalkee at North Park in round 13 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The Swifts were stunned early, with Kalkee holding them goalless, powering to a 16-point lead at quarter-time.
The Baggies bounced back in the second quarter after a quarter-time rev-up from coach Brett Hargreaves. They kicked eight goals while holding Kalkee scoreless to lead by 35 points at half-time.
They kicked another six in the third quarter to extend that margin to 55 at three-quarter-time before another three goals in the last saw them run out 17.16.118 to 7.5.47 winners.
Ryan Folkes kicked four goals from the midfield, and Paul Summers was his consistent best with four goals.
Scott Carey was brilliant in midfield, and Joseph Martin, Andrew Cameron, and Angus Murray were among their best.
Patrick Mills was again Kalkee's best player alongside Josh Milbourne, Jakob Butcher, Isaiah Adams, Douglas Grining, and Matt Nield.
Laharum win a thriller
Laharum has shown they can win when the game is on the line, and they did it again, this time against Pimpinio, winning by six points at Cameron Oval.
The Tigers got off to a great start, leading by ten points at quarter-time, but rued their missed opportunities, with seven scoring shots to two for the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Demons started to get the ascendancy around the contest, kicking three goals to one to lead by five points at the main break.
The Tigers responded in the third with a four-goal quarter, leading by seven points at the last break.
The Demons, through some structural changes made at three-quarter-time, applied pressure, keeping the Tigers goalless to kick two goals to run out 8.9.57 to 7.9.51 winners.
Angus Atchison kicked two goals for the Demons. Shannon Argall was brilliant around the ground, and Daniel Easson and Robbie Miller were great through the midfield.
Jason Westley kicked three goals for the Tigers, with Dylan Thomas, Matthew Rosier, and Jye Brown among their best.
Demons coach Shan Argall said they made several positional changes at three-quarter-time.
"Campbell Mason moved from half forward to halfback, and Ryan Thomas moved from half back to the full forward line, and we were able to get the best matchups defensively," Argall said.
"I told the boys that we are coming of age and we have gone from no wins to starting to win close games, to absorb pressure, and to stick to how we want to play, and they were able to do it.
"We put in a lot of defensive effort, applied more pressure, and grinded out a couple of goals."
"The boys are now starting to get that belief that we can win close games and we are treating these games like mini finals."
Harrow Balmoral put on a clinic
Harrow Balmoral put on a clinic at Harrow Recreation Reserve, defeating Noradjuha Quantong by 106 points.
The Southern Roos came out blazing, kicking nine goals to three to lead by 40 points at quarter-time. In the second quarter, they held the Bombers to one goal, increasing their lead to 69 points at three-quarter-time.
In the third quarter, they added another four goals to nil to extend the margin to 98 points at the last break before running out 19.22.136 to 4.6.30 winners.
Rhys Daffey was sensational with four goals, and Michael Close returned to his brilliant best after a month on the sidelines earlier in the season. Will Burbury, Jai Thompson, William Plush, and Joshua Grant were among their best.
Alex Ross, James Hallett, Jack Vague, Connor O'Beirne, Ash Lawson, and Zachary Kelly were the best players for the Bombers.
Southern Roos coach Jai Thomspon said that was quickly the best football they have played for the season.
"It was impressive to watch; everything was on point. We moved the ball well, linked up well, and nailed our targets all day," Thompson said.
"We applied pressure all day and just didn't back off. Even the commentary team on the weekend said the skills were fantastic, and it was one of the best games they had seen."
Thompson said Michael Close was brilliant and that Clint Robinson is doing a great job filling in for Brait Headon down back.
"Michael Close was easily best on the ground for us. He created a lot of opportunities and took a lot of contested marks. He dragged many defenders, which freed up guys like Daffey."
"Clint Robinson has come back from the reserves to cover for Brait and has been great. He is a lockdown defender and hard to beat one-on-one."
"Our team defence has also been good as everyone is getting across helping him out, and our midfielders are also getting back."
Cougars withstand Rams fightback to win thriller
At Natimuk Showgrounds, Kaniva Leeor survived a late comeback from Natimuk to win by three points.
The Cougars were dominant throughout the game, leading every quarter, consolidating a 15-point lead at three-quarter-time.
The Rams, spurred on by their sponsors at their sponsor's day, kicked four goals in the last quarter but fell short of losing 11.9.75 to 12.6.78.
Harley Bennell was outstanding for the Cougars with four goals with Billy King, Charlie Maddern and Jock Maddern.
Cody Frizon kicked three goals for the Rams, with Callum Hayes, Daniel Werner, and Dylan Newell among their best.
Saints storm to a comfortable win
At Edenhope Football Ground, Edenhope Apsley had a dominant win over Taylors Lake.
The Saints flew out of the blocks, kicking four goals to one to lead by 18 points at quarter-time. The Lakers challenged hard in the second quarter, winning the quarter to trail by 17 points at half-time.
The Saints flexed their muscles in the third quarter, holding the Lakers goalless to extend the margin to 32 points at the last break.
They, again, held the Lakers goalless in the last as they ran out 11.12.78 to 4.6.30 winners.
Charlie Campbell, Joshua Robinson, and Nathan Witherow all kicked two goals apiece for the Saints, with Jeremy Kealy, Boyd Packer, and Christopher La Rocca among their best.
Justin Beugelaar led the way for the Lakers on the scoreboard with two goals, with Bray Cullinan, their best player, continuing his excellent season. Billy Finnigan, Brayden Gebert, and Hunter Campey were among their best.