Round 13 of the Mallee Football League came to its conclusion this week, and Hopetoun and Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers did battle over at Berriwillock for the first match of the round.

Both teams had little trouble hitting the scoreboard in the first quarter, but the Tigers were looking ominous as they put on 7 goals to 4, and took the momentum into the second term. Hopetoun found it difficult going in the second quarter, as the Tigers hunted in packs and dominated all play around the ground.

Another 7 goal term, to Hopetoun's solitary behind, saw them sitting comfortably at halftime with a 66 point advantage. The Devils lifted after the long break, and solid contributions from the whole team saw them stem the flow of Sea Lake-Nandaly goals, but the Tigers were still able to push out their lead.

The Tigers were absolutely ruthless in the final term as they put through 10 goals, and made a statement to the rest of the league. They comfortably ran out 139 point victors.Cliff Ryan stood heads and shoulders above the rest with a mammoth 15 goal haul in a best on ground performance. Simon Weekly kicked 5 for the Tigers, while Lachlan Gilbert and Jarred Arentz both kicked 2.

Better players for the Tigers in this dominant display included Lachlan Gilbert and Jordan Doering. For the besieged Devils, Liam Price kicked 2 goals and was in the best with Hayden Drew and David Johnstone.

Ouyen United hosted Beulah in the second match of the round and the home side had a big challenge ahead of them as they took on the infallible Blues.

The Demons were quick to show the Blues that they were in for a difficult day, and they crowd was right behind them. Their run and clean skills saw them take a 10 point lead into the second quarter. Beulah were quick to respond, and put on 6 goals to the Demons 3, as they turned the deficit into a slim 11 point lead.

Ouyen lifted in the third term and were able to clamp down on the Beulah forwards as they worked their way back into the game. A couple of late goals to the Blues kept them in the match, and the crowd on the edge of their seats, as Ouyen went into the final quarter ahead by 5 points. Both teams traded goals in a hectic start the last term, but it was the Blues who were able to get on top as they produced an 8 goal final term.

It was a valiant effort from Ouyen United, however the class of Blues saw them win by 24 points. Denis Redden lead the way for the Blues in front of the goals with 8 goals, while Lachy Foott kicked 3 and Michael Farrelly and Brock Orval kicked 2 each. Denis Redden and Michael Farrelly were the better players for Beulah. For the Demons, Relton Roberts was a standout up forward with 9 goals, while Brad Vallance and Peter Caldow each kicked 2. Relton Roberts and Henry Armour were in the best.

Jeparit-Rainbow and Woomelang-Lascelles did battle in Rainbow for the final match of the round and both teams were able to get plenty of the ball in the first quarter. The evenly matched quarter saw both teams record the same number of shots on goal, but Woomelang-Lascelles were able to take a 5 point lead into the first break thanks to more accurate kicking.

The pressure that hallmarked the first stanza was seemingly gone in the second, as the Cats asserted their authority and put on 4 goals to the Lakers single behind.

The second half started how the first began, with both teams struggling to get a run on, and both teams hitting the scoreboard 6 times for the quarter. The Lakers were unable to capitalise on their wind advantage, and the Cats narrowly increased the deficit. The final quarter promised plenty, but in the end it was the Cats who controlled the play.

Poor kicking in front of the sticks saw them fail to record a big win, but they eventually ran out 47 point victors. Corey Kelly kicked another bag of 5 goals, Jayden Lonergan kicked 3, and Jeremy Phelan kicked 2 while better players for the winning side were Corey Kelly and Brodie Adcock. For the Lakers, Wyatt Bacon was the only multiple goal scorer, and players in the best included Tyler Edelsten, Adam Schulz and Ben Marra.

By Daniel Huttig