Jim Gordon reviews the round 14 matches in the Mallee Football League.

Beulah v Hopetoun

As expected, Beulah maintained their top of the ladder status with a good win over a Hopetoun side that would have come to the contest buoyed after winning their first game of the season last week against the Lakers. Despite a concerted effort to stay with the Blues, and a four goal to one final term, the Devils were no match for Beulah's all over the ground superiority.

Beulah has class on every line and it starts in the centre with the skills of Micah and Callum Buchanan, the staying power of Scott Smith and the talent of Bradley Shannon. With forwards Shaun Monohan kicking four goals and Ryan McKenzie three, the Blues had too much fire power for the Devils.

It was pleasing to see the form of Coleman Schache for Hopetoun, but apart from Schache, the Devils continue to rely on the same five or six players to keep with the other sides in the MFL. Fortunately for them, the players they regularly turn to have the skills and talent to keep up with the best in the competition - there are just not enough of them.

Once again Luke Carr was best for Hopetoun, Zac Robbins works hard, and after his seven goal haul last week, Deek Roberts kicked another two against Beulah.

The Blues have the bye next week before taking on the Lakers as they cruise towards finals football. Meanwhile Hopetoun will be competitive at home to the Cats who must win if they want to take Ouyen United's spot in the four.

Walpeup Underbool v Ouyen United

Walpeup Underbool proved too good for Ouyen United to run out winners by 15 points at Underbool. With both sides missing key players, it was the better skills of the Roos that saw them take the points in what very well could be a preview of the MFL First Semi Final.

With the ball wet and light raining falling for most of the game, accuracy by foot and hand was paramount and this was where Walpeup Underbool won the game. With Joshua Charles dominant in the ruck and around the ground, Ben Fisher and Chris Vorwerk adapted to the conditions and often found themselves on their own in the midfield or up forward. Their ability to make space and take advantage of opportunities gave the Roos the edge.

United had their chances, especially early in the game, but failed to put scoreboard pressure on the opposition to stay either stay with the Roos, or even head them going into half time. The expected Walpeup Underbool surge failed to happen as the Roos seemed to take a long while to get going. Wet football has a way of evening up the contest and this was a factor in keeping the scores close.

On a damp day, it made the job easier for the defences for both sides. Darren Latta and Chris Lynch were reliable for the Roos and Alexander Morrish, Joshua Langdon and Dominc Leach likewise for the Dees. Nevertheless Wade Champion kicked three gaols and Jerry Wilson provided a lively target up forward for Ouyen United and ended up with six goals for his side.

The Demons had the bigger gaps to fill and when they lost Todd Barker early through injury and then Simon Jardine was sent off in the second term, it would have taken a mammoth effort to get the four points. However, they hung in and with Alexander Morrish running well out of defence and kicking long and with Kale Barker a productive forward, they gave themselves a chance.

Although there was rain about, the ground looked to be in good condition. There was no wind and the Roos had a lot to play for. Yet they looked lacklustre in their approach to the game. They missed shots on goal, their skills by foot whilst superior to United's, were not up to their usual standard and they failed to take advantage of their strength in high marking. The Roos are a long way from their 2012 premiership form. Since their win over ladder leader Beulah, Walpeup Underbool's form has been patchy.

Wade Champion was an offender early when he missed the first real chance of the day and added to that by scoring a behind from 15m out in the second term after marking a Matthew Palmer pass. In fact it was Ouyen United who goaled first when United took advantage of a free kick on the half forward line, played on to Mitchell Taylor who goaled from the square.

David Piasente scored the first two goals for the Roos. Alexander Morrish was prominent in defence and spent time on Piasente and both were valuable contributors for their sides. When Morrish's long kick out of defence landed in Jerry Wilson's arms, a behind was the result when a major could have really hurt Walpeup Underbool at this stage.

Kale Barker worked hard all over the ground. A good mark overhead, Barker is also skilled at ground level and looks to play on whenever the chance arises. His first quarter behind added to the tally of missed opportunities as first one side, then the other wasted chances.

Ross Stone was dangerous in the centre and twice found himself alone and in space. Once his pass deep into the forward line was marked by Palmer who was proving a handful for the Ouyen United defence as the ball raced up and down the ground waiting for the chance for one side to grab the ascendancy.

Walpeup Underbool increased their quarter time lead when Palmer was given the luxury of a 50m penalty after receiving a free kick at half forward. The Roos failed to make the most of their opportunities with the extra man and after two more behinds to Barker, his play on to Wilson ended up in a goal when Walpeup Underbool should have been getting on top.

However, the Roos steadied and after Champion missed a sitter, Chris Vorwerk goaled from a free kick and finally Champion gaoled after marking, and suddenly the Roos were out to a three goal lead in a low scoring game. This was enough to keep a gap between the two sides so that although the Demons continued to fight and battle all day, they could not get any closer to the Roos.

Ouyen United has some good young players in their side who take a chance running forward. This is effective when the ball comes to them, but if their opponents happen to find the football, it can hurt as the opposition has players free. In the end, Walpeup Underbool would have been happy with the four points knowing that they still have plenty to work to do before the finals. Any win against their neighbours they count as a good win!

Woomelang Lascelles v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers

The Tigers consolidated their second from top spot on the MFL ladder with a hard fought win over a gallant Woomelang Lascelles at Woomelang. The Cats let the Tigers get away early and conceded six goals to one in the first quarter. To Woomelang Lascelles' credit, they fought their way back into the contest, but the lead was too great in the wet.

After slowly pegging back the deficit, Woomelang Lascelles had a shot for goal when they were only five points down in the final term. The shot missed and with it went any chance the Cats had of causing a major upset against a team they love to beat.

The Cats had a belief that if they could have hit the front, they very well may have stolen the four points. They just needed to get their noses in front.

The first term saw Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers run all over the Cats with high marking - goal kicking forward Cliff Ryan unstoppable. Ryan ended with six goals for the day when his side only kicked eleven in the damp conditions and by getting on top early, it was always going to be difficult for a side to come back in the wet.

After quarter time it was a different matter. The Cats steadied, they got back into the game when Joel Donnan went into the ruck at half time and they were getting a lot of drive from Chris McMahon in the middle. Woomelang Lascelles outscored Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers by nine goals to five for the rest of the game and had most of the play in their attacking area.

Another astute move was to put Dwayne Hamlyn on the damaging Col Durie and although Durie was still among the Tigers' best, Hamlyn was able to limit his influence and was named in his sides best players.

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers' big quarter time lead in the wet proved too much for the Cats in the end. Woomelang Lascelles have had some hard lessons this year against the top sides and this was another. The Cats learnt that you can't let a good side like Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers get a six goals to one start. It is a tough to take another close loss to another top side.

By Jim Gordon

Correction:
Round 13 MFL, Tom Pridgeon was incorrectly named as a reported player in the Hopetoun v Jeparit Rainbow game. The mistake was at a club level and due to an incorrect player number. We apologise for the error.