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WEDDERBURN full-forward Sam Barnes booted a bag of 10 goals to help the Redbacks consolidate their position in the North Central Football League top-four on Saturday with a 112-point win over Birchip Watchem.
The Redbacks held the Bulls goalless until early in the final term in their 18.19 (127) to 2.3 (15) victory at Donaldson Park.
Barnes was unstoppable for the Redbacks, particularly after half-time.
He kicked three goals in the first half, before adding seven after the break – four in the third quarter and three in the last.
While Barnes was dominating inside 50 for the Redbacks, down the other end, the Bulls’ first goal of the game didn’t come until a minute into the last term through Harrison Christie.
As well as Barnes’ 10 goals, Marc Reiffel chipped in with three for the Redbacks, including the first two of the game.
Barnes, Rohan McHugh, Ben Rose, coach Daniel Gash and Riley McIvor all played top games for the Redbacks, who are now six points inside the top-four.
Saturday’s result for Birchip-Watchem shows that as the saying goes – a week is a long time in football.
The Bulls’ 112-point hiding came a week after they won their first game of the season.
Ruckman Zac Holmes, Jacob Noonan, who kicked one of their two goals, and Jeremy Hayes were the Bulls’ best players.
● St Arnaud has moved to the top of the ladder after its 43-point win over Donald.
The Royals weren’t out of the contest at three quarter-time when they trailed by 18 points.
But the Saints kicked seven goals to three in the final term to win 16.19 (115) to 10.12 (72).
The victory extended the Saints’ winning streak to seven.
Coach James McNamee’s hot run of form continued as he was again the Saints’ best player.
Dan McGrath, Russell Grigg (two goals) and Alex Lantjin (three goals) were other standouts. Liam Cunningham kicked four goals.
Darcy Harrison kicked four of Donald’s 10 goals. Adam Baird, Kalon Green and Brent Gilmour were the Royals’ best.
● Wycheproof-Narraport beat Boort by 15 points at home to move into second postion.
The Demons’ 8.14 (62) to 6.11 (47) victory was their fifth in a row.
Boe Bish, Corey Jones, Samuel Driscoll and Jacob White were prominent for the Demons, whose solid start to lead by 14 points at quarter-time proved crucial.
Matthew Hodoras, Jonathan Lanyon, Sam Dehne and Jarrod Fitzpatrick were the better players for the Magpies.
Matthew Rice kicked three of their six goals.
