Jim Gordon's review of the round 5 action in the Mallee Football League.

Ouyen United v Jeparit Rainbow

Ouyen United's talented group of imports proved the difference between the two sides when the Demons defeated Jeparit Rainbow at Blackburn Park on Saturday. After an even opening quarter, Jeparit Rainbow fell away badly in the second term to be down by 52 points at the main break and the match was effectively over.

Players seemed to relish the sunny clear conditions with Blackburn Park in top condition. The Lakers kicked with a two goal breeze in the first term, but whatever advantage there was had died down in the second half of the game. There were many passages of open play-on football with some creative handball, good marking and long kicking to position.

Jeparit Rainbow opened brightly. Young Nathan Cocks scored the first goal of the day with a lovely left foot kick to the northern end after receiving a pass from the hard working Heath Clugston. Cocks was involved in the second goal after he gathered and delivered another beautiful kick to the goal square where Andrew Watson marked and goaled. Not long after, Kale Barker kicked the Demons' first, putting a halt to the Laker's positive start.

From then on Ouyen United looked too skilled and accomplished for the Lakers. Laurence Angwin in the ruck was the master, Damian Cupido did what he wanted at full forward and ended up with 17 goals, Relton Roberts, Jerry Wilson and Mitchell Taylor all contributed to the win with passages of brilliance.

Cupido was a class above anything he came up against. Jeparit Rainbow could do nothing to contain him. Adam Schultz was given the unenviable task of trying to at least negate Cupido's influence, but Schultz could do little whether one on one or with the assistance of Simon Clugston dropping back. The frightening thing was that Cupido could have scored more if United had more consistently delivered the ball quickly to him when they had possession either in the centre or across half forward.

Angwin's height, his great reach and his agility make the big man difficult for the opposition to match up. He has a very good awareness of his team mates around the ball and is able to find them with unerring accuracy. His ability to leap at centre bounces made him a dominant presence all day and he marked and goaled when resting up forward.

Josh McCleary was Jeparit Rainbow's main ruckman. McCleary tried hard on Angwin and around the ground to be amongst the Laker's best. He has done well for his side so far this season considering that he is a makeshift ruckman, having mainly played his football up north as a key defender.

In a defining passage of play in the first term and just when Jeparit Rainbow were looking competitive after the two opening goals of the day Todd Barker punched the ball forward from half back, the agile Angwin gathered and kicked about 50m to position for Cupido to mark and gaol. This should have signalled to the Demons how to deliver the ball into their forward line, kick long and quickly to position and leave it to Cupido to do the rest.

The Demons were often, but not always able to do this, especially in the second term when they kicked nine goals to three and again in the final quarter when they piled on another seven goals.

The Lakers looked most dangerous when Angwin was resting. This allowed their running players to make the most of the lull in proceedings. Heath Clugston battled valiantly all day in an effort to plug up holes, Christopher Meyer was busy at both ends of the ground and Andrew Watson kicked three goals.

Jordan Manley had a very good game for the Demons. Manley marked well out on his wing and delivered the ball with short passes or long, left foot kicks regularly into his forward line. Twice in the first quarter Manley marked overhead and found team mates down the field, on one occasion Ben Mole was able to follow up finding Cupido who goaled.

Peter Caldow worked hard all day and his message was loud and clear to his charges to keep the ball moving out of the centre and quickly to the dominant forwards. Caldow managed to get the ball to Todd Barker in the first term in a brilliant passage of play that saw Barker handball to the running Glen Joyce (getting back to his stellar 2010-11 form) who bombed it into the goal square for Cupido to score after gathering the ball off the ground. It was fast, slick and accurate play with little room for error and well worth the risk.

After the match, Jeparit Rainbow's coach Luke Werner was pleased with his team's tackling and intensity for a large part of the game and felt that it was just those 10-15 minute lapses during the match when they turned the ball over that cost the Lakers heavily.

Jeparit Rainbow has a chance to get on the winner's list next week when they take on Hopetoun who are also winless. Ouyen United face a stern test at Beulah to challenge the unbeaten Blues on a ground where wins have been hard to come by in recent years for the Demons.

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Beulah

In a stunning come from behind victory, Beulah scored a memorable six point victory over Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in a goal scoring shootout at Sea Lake on Saturday. Down an incredible 39 points at half time, the Blues put on a goal kicking exhibition in the third term grabbing ten and holding the Tigers to three to go into the final term just four points up.

The game had another twist with a nail-biting final quarter with both sides kicking five goals with Beulah hanging on for a stunning victory. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will be ruing missed opportunities and really should have had the game sewn up in the first half after dominating proceedings by firstly kicking five goals into the breeze and then eight with it.

The Blues were first away and jumped out of the blocks to lead by almost five goals during the first quarter before the Tigers clawed their way back into the contest late, scoring goals themselves and going into the first break only nine points down. With the aid of the breeze in the second term, the Tigers were rampant, seemingly scoring goals at will, moving the ball quickly with leg speed and precision foot skills.

The Tigers left the Blues in their wake kicking eight goals to Beulah's nil and taking that big39 point lead into the long break. However, in typical Beulah fashion they were not done with just yet and went one better in the third term to pinch the lead at the final break. The Tigers were unable to stop the Blues in what was a terribly disappointing 30 minutes of football for them. The final quarter was a ripper with two quality teams going at it in a wonderful bout of contested football that saw both sides kick five goals apiece, just enough for the Blues to secure a memorable six point victory.

Tom Summerhayes starred for the Tigers. Along with Matt Elliott, Summerhayes gave a great display of MFL football. Their run and penetrating foot skills kept the Tigers going, even when the Blues were coming back.

Veteran Col Durie played a super captain's game in the middle, marshalling his troops at every chance. Dan McEwan won the taps in the ruck all day and worked tirelessly all around the ground, whilst key forwards Jason Collins and Cliff Ryan won their positions.

Wes Harrison continued his excellent season, defenders Joe Summerhayes and Stephen Lyons were able to hold their heads up as they repelled many attacks and Cliff Ryan kicked five goals.

Tiger supporters saw the best and the worst of their team in what was a great game against MFL leaders Beulah. Sea lake Nandaly Tigers take on the might of Walpeup Underbool next week, smarting after a couple of early season losses. With some Tigers out due to injury, it will be a huge test against a team that rarely loses at home. This grand final rematch should be a beauty.

Woomelang Lascelles v Walpeup Underbool

In a moral boosting win for the club, Woomelang Lascelles came from behind at half time to defeat Walpeup Underbool by 16 points at Woomelang. After several good performances already this season, this was the win the club was looking for to put themselves forward as a genuine top four contender.

However, it was the visiting side that got off to the best start. The Roo onballers were on top in the first term. Matthew Palmer Christopher Chubb and David Piasante were prominent as the Roos were getting the ball out of the centre into their forward line and they raced away to a four goal lead at quarter time. The Cats were too often left languishing as the Roos raced into attack.

To add to their woes, Woomelang Lascelles lost Rohan Coburn in the first quarter to a hamstring injury that could see him miss the next couple of weeks.

Even though the Cats were down early, it looked like their forwards were playing well and slowly getting on top of the Roo defence. Aaron Lonergan and Jayden Lonergan were prominent early and finished the day with six goals between them.

It was noticeable in the first half that the Walpeup Underbool coaching staff was under pressure as they looked to have a few injuries limiting their rotations off the bench.

In the match winning third term, Woomelang Lascelles was starting to get on top. It may not have been evident on the score board, but they were tight all over the ground, gaining more possessions than the Roos and starting to convert chances.

Best on ground Trent Donnan continued with his great year and stood out in this term. Anthony Foott once again showed why he is arguably the Cat's most important player in that quarterback role that he does so well across half back. Brodie Adcock found some a last year's form after a slow start to the season and was great with his spread from the contest and with his accurate ball use.

Walpeup Underbool kicked a couple of early goals in the last term, but Woomelang Lascelles had more run in their legs and kicked away to win by 16 points in the end.

It was a great team effort from the Cats and a good sign with at least four experienced players to come back into the senior mix. The Roos face the Tigers at home next week in what should be a great contest.

By Jim Gordon