Jim Gordon review the round 8 Mallee Football League action from the weekend.

Walpeup Underbool v Jeparit Rainbow

Walpeup Underbool were ten goal winners over Jeparit Rainbow in wet and slippery conditions at Underbool on Saturday. In an entertaining game, the Lakers battled hard to stay with the more highly credentialed Roos and were within four goals at half time. However the strength and class of the home side proved too much for Jeparit Rainbow and with Ben Fisher, David Piasente and Tyson Gordon dominant, Walpeup Underbool increased their lead in the second half to run away with the four points.

Tyson Gordon had a day out. Continuing on from his very good interleague form, Gordon provided an effective foil for Wade Champion and ended up with six majors. His goals came from clever work inside the forward 50m arc as he took on the role of a smaller forward option to Champion. Some of his goals were clever snaps in very difficult conditions.

Champion was made to work hard under the close checking of Josh McLeary until the Laker was required elsewhere in the final term as the Lakers looked for more drive from their onballers. With light rain falling for much of the game, it was always going to be a game won in and around the packs and this was where Walpeup Underbool were on top for most of the day. The game was scrappy early with the Roos having more of the play in their forward half.

Josh Charles had a good duel with Greg McLeish in the ruck, but when the ball hit the ground, the strength and skill of Fisher, Piasente and a resurgent Luke Nathan proved the difference between the two sides. Nathan in particular worked well with Charles and was having an impact in his first game back from injury.

Travis Latta was another who was playing well in the wet for the Roos, winning the ball regularly across half back. Heath Clugston ran with Kane Munro all day. They had a great duel and both ended up valued contributors for their side.

In the packs the stronger bodied Walpeup Underbool players were able to break free at crucial times in the second and third terms when the Roos piled on nine goals and held the Lakers to just three. After booting his fifth goal for the match in the third term, Gordon was continuing to be a problem for the Lakers across half forward.

Ben Fisher worked hard in defence in this quarter and repelled the Lakers several times while sending his own side into attack. Kyle Munro showed great skill marking the wet ball and goaling.

It was not a lack of endeavour that was the reason the Lakers lost. They did not make the most of their opportunities in the first quarter particularly in front of gaol and they were let down by poor ball skills over the course of the day. Even in the second half of the game with the Roos on top, Jeparit Rainbow continued to try hard and maintained their attack on the ball.

After half time the Lakers were limited in their rotations having lost Tyler Edelsten to concussion and Josh Murphy to a knee injury in the second quarter. Simon Clugston was also troubled by an injury.

Ben Marra and Jake Perry worked hard all day for the Lakers. Greg McLeish played more in the ruck than up forward due to Jeparit Rainbow playing Josh McCleary on Wade Champion and McLeish ended up as one of Jeparit Rainbow's best with two goals. Adam Schultz was a solid defender.

Woomelang Lascelles v Hopetoun

In a tight battle for the four points, Woomelang Lascelles was just able to hold on and defeat a gallant Hopetoun by four points at Woomelang. The Devils had a shot for goal after the siren, but this time the luck and the valuable points went the Cats' way when the ball drifted wide.

What a great day it was for Woomelang Lascelles. Their season stays alive and it rained all day! The weather and the motivation to win to turned the game into a hard slog with both sides hunting in numbers and tackling hard in a relentless effort to win the ball. The first half belonged to Hopetoun and at half time they went in with a 16 point lead and a sense of optimism in their approach.

Luke Carr was dominant and winning a lot of the ball, David Baulch was on top, Zac Robbins was continuing on with his fine interleague form and Deek Roberts was lively in the forward half. This was a far more committed Hopetoun side to the one that has been so easily brushed aside this season.

After half time it was a different matter. Woomelang Lascelles maintained their pressure and were able to work their way back into the contest and grab the lead in the final quarter.

Woomelang Lascelles' Rohan Coburn was best on the ground in a great display of high pressure wet weather football. He is starting to find some form after a long layoff with injury. In a day not made for big men, Mark Charleson was able to dominate in the ruck. He was agile in the wet conditions and played well when the ball hit the ground. Aaron Lonergan was very good all day. Early on in the match he did a lot of hard running through the middle of the ground and after that went forward to kick three goals in the second half.

In a very close game Woomelang Lascelles did well to hold on for a win. They now need to start to string a few wins together to challenge for the top four and have a good chance next week with a winnable game at Ouyen United who are on the back foot after three losses in a row.

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Ouyen United

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were far too accomplished for Ouyen United in the wet at Sea Lake on Saturday. The Demons are now battling to hold onto fourth position after losing to the three sides above them in the past three games. The Tigers never really looked in danger of losing this game after holding out the Demons in the first quarter and keeping them goalless until half time.

It was typical Tigers football, dominating around the packs, hunting in numbers and tackling hard. This is all accomplished with a relentless effort and discipline evident in their game plan this season right from the opening match when they humbled the Demons at Blackburn Park.

Cliff Ryan was a forward target for the Tigers and ended with four goals, Stephen Lyons relished the tough conditions and coach Col Durie was the master tactician and playmaker in the midfield. Tom Summerhayes is having a very good season and Darcy Ryan worked hard all day.

For the losers, it was a grim day in the slippery conditions. Laurence Angwin was a welcome return for the Dees, Alexander Morrish is having a good season and Tim Weir put in a good performance coming up to seniors football after displaying good form in the reserves.

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers have the bye next week and can establish themselves in the top two positions on the ladder with games against the Devils and the Lakers to look forward to. For United, they will be desperate to defeat Woomelang Lascelles next week to get back on track after losing three in a row.

By Jim Gordon