The Southern Mallee Giants have survived a narrow escape for the third week in a row to go 8 points clear into second position on the Mallee Football League Ladder. The Giants were able to grind out another win, this time by just 6 points, in a seesawing affair against a determined Woomelang Lascelles.

There was plenty on the line for the two sides and the game was played accordingly. The Cats weren’t able to capitalize on a sluggish start by the Giants, failing to apply scoreboard pressure. The Cats dominated possession in the first quarter, with 5 more scoring shots, but held just a 10-point lead into the break. Trent Donnan had set the tone for the home side. He won numerous clearances, broke tackles with ease and delivered accurately going forward. Devin McFarlane was also looming dangerous up forward but couldn’t convert with 3 behinds in the first quarter.

The second quarter was more even, but the Giants still weren’t playing the type of footy that could win them the game. Sam Weddell was able to cut off numerous Cats’ attacks and was dashing off half-back. Jason Turnbull also got himself involved from a forward flank, working hard up and down the ground.
The Cats were still missing opportunities to break the game open. Jack Shannahan and Jake Hogan were regularly finding themselves in space, particularly in the forward half. The Giants needed to start playing more accountable football and match the Cats’ desperation for the football.

It was Tyler Lehmann who provided the spark for the Giants. When he started bursting through packs to get the ball going forward, the rest of the team suddenly lifted. Kain Robins and Brock Orval kicked 3 second half goals each and the forward line started to look dangerous.

The Giants had not led all day until they kicked the first 2 goals of the last quarter to go 10 points ahead. However the Cats weren’t done with yet, and hit back with 2 quick goals of their own. Then, when it looked like the Cats had regained the momentum, it was the Giants who were able to finish the game stronger and hang on in a nail-biting finish.

There was an upset on the cards in the second game of the round when an indomitable Ouyen United travelled to the home of the mighty Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.

The Demons are fighting to cement their place in the top 4, and they had turned up with the mentality of causing an upset. However, as they have done on a few occasions this year, the Tigers rallied in the second half to win by 9 points.

The mindset of the Demons was clear from the start when they piled on 5 goals before the Tigers could even get a score on the board. Dean Jardine and Brad Summerhayes were influential to their great start, and the two were clearly on top in the midfield battle.

However, the Tigers were never going to let the Demons have it on their terms for too long. They clawed their way back in the second term to get themselves in the game and trail by 16 points at the main break. Cliff Ryan was getting into the game and Luke Martin was giving Brad Vallance nothing at the other end.

The Tigers continued to build momentum and eventually took the lead in the third quarter. Jordan Doering kicked three of his four goals, and Jason Collins and Bernard Rigby showed poise with the football to bring the game back onto even terms.

The final quarter was set up to be a thriller. Ouyen United goaled first to take the ascendancy but the Tigers soon took the lead back. Neither team was able to kick away and put the game out of the others’ hands. Cliff Ryan was the steadying influence, and when he kicked his fourth goal to take the lead out to 8 points late in the game, it was all over. The Demons will be disappointed to let this game slip through their fingers, especially after a similar game last week.

By Dale Shannon