Riverine Herald |
District teams Echuca, Tongala, LBU and Leitchville-Gunbower won while the Murray league merry-go-round continues with Finley the new ladder-leader.
Echuca claimed its third Goulburn Valley Football League win of the season after a tough contest against Mansfield, prevailing 13.13 (91) to 11.7 (73).
The Murray Bombers started well to lead by 21 points at the first change, but the Eagles fought back to trail by seven at the long break.
The home side again kicked away to lead by 19 points at the last change before holding on for the win.
Brieghton Shea (three goals) starred for the home side along with Simon Buckley and Kane Morris, while coach Andrew Briggs made a surprise on-field appearance and kicked two goals.
Ben Fagan (five goals), Guy Taylor and David Clarke tried hard for the visitors, but it was not enough.
■ Rochester again will bemoan a lack of accuracy in front of goal as ladder-leader Benalla came away with the points at Moon Oval, winning 7.8 (50) to 4.12 (36).
The Tigers kicked their only goal of the first three quarters after the half-time siren and despite having seven scoring shots to two in the final term, could only reduce the final margin to 14 points.
James Martyn, Luke Morgan and Ryan Colbert led the Saints to the win, while Ash Watson, Brendon Hollow and Tom Hill tried hard for the home side, with Grant Weeks kicking three goals.
■ Kyabram missed a chance to go into second spot on the ladder in Paul Newman's 200th game as Shepparton Swans won 11.8 (74) to 9.5 (59).
The Bombers started well at home to lead by 13 points, but scores were level by three-quarter time and the Swans went on to win by 13 points.
Dan Lovick, Tyson Sidebottom and Tom Preece were the most impressive for the visitors, with Justin Maddern and Brodie A'Vard kicking three goals apiece.
Jake Reeves, Tom Sheldon and Josh Vick were Kyabram's best.
■ Shepparton United proved too strong for Euroa, winning 13.12 (90) to 9.8 (62).
The Magpies led by 13 points at the first break but the Demons then took over to win comfortably, with Shaun Huy, Matt Dibella and Tim Looby leading the way.
Justin Davies and Brodie Ross kicked three goals each.
Matt Quinton (five goals), Marcus Varley and Pat Horsburgh tried hard for Euroa.
■ Mooroopna moved onto the edge of the top six after overcoming Seymour 17.15 (117) to 14.14 (98).
The Cats led by 33 points at half-time but five goals to two in the third term saw the Lions within 10 points.
However, the home team steadied and, led by Daniel Lewis (five goals), Mitch Keddell and Luke Conca (six goals) , came home with the win.
Brett Meredith, Saad Saad (six goals) and Brandyn Grenfell were the best for the visitors.
■ The final game saw Tatura kick five goals in the last quarter to run away from opponents Shepparton, winning 12.7 (79) to 2.6 (18).
The Bulldogs only led by 11 points at half-time but kicked eight unanswered goals in the second half to prevail, with Linc Wellington, Tom Miller and Sonny Whiting (five goals) leading the charge.
Nick Allan, Ash Holland and Xavier Stephenson were the best for the Bears.
Murray Football League
Finley moved to the top of the Murray ladder after a dramatic come-from-behind win against Moama, 14.9 (93) to 11.8 (74).
Trailing by 23 points at half-time, the Cats kicked 10 goals to three in the second half to record a big win, with Tom Seccull starring in the forward line to boot seven goals.
Matt Jackson and Tim Robertson also starred for Finley, while Lachie Schultz, Taylor Beard and Tyler Jones (three goals) tried hard for the Magpies.
Jake Kilmartin also kicked three goals.
■ Rumbalara is only a small percentage away from top spot after overcoming Echuca United in a tight encounter, 17.7 (109) to 12.15 (87).
Only two points separated the teams in the opening two terms, before six goals to four in the third quarter and a further four goals to two in the last saw Rumba home.
Justin Terlich (three goals), coach Damian Cupido (six goals) and Rex Taylor led the way for the winners, while Daniel Cavallaro, Ryan Prendergast and Ash Dedini gave their all for the Eagles.
Troy Ferrier also finished with five goals and Dean Moon kicked three.
■ A dominant first-half performance led Tongala to only its second win of the season, defeating Numurkah in the battle of the Blues 14.12 (96) to 8.6 (54).
Andrew Reid starred for the visitors to finish with eight goals, while James Cullum and Jordan Souter also impressed.
Tongala kicked eight goals to one in the first half and then survived a Numurkah fight back to push on and win comfortably.
Mark Brown, Beau McKeown, Michael Herlihy and Tyler Larkin (three goals) were the best for the home team.
■ Another quality clash between Mulwala and Barooga saw the Lions survive a last-quarter Hawks fightback to win 15.7 (97) to 12.14 (86).
Mulwala looked in control after building to a 33-point lead at the final break, before the visitors booted 5.4 to 2.0 in the last to close the margin to 11 points.
Jacob Sampson and 11 combined goals to Chase Strawhorn (four) and Will Farrer (seven) saw the home team to victory, while Brendan Liddell, Matt Hendry and Marcus Smith tried hard for the visitors.
Jake Russell also kicked six goals.
■ Another surprise result saw Congupna defeat Nathalia in a thriller, 10.11 (71) to 9.12 (66).
The Purples led by 20 points at quarter-time, but the Road fought back to lead by four points going into the last term, before holding on in a tense finish to claim its third win of the year.
Daniel Collyer, Harry Moran and Tate Mifka were Congupna's best, while Heath Barton kicked three goals.
Sean Tenace (three goals), Nathan Ryan, Malcolm Barnes and Jason Limbrick (four goals) impressed for Nathalia.
■ Deniliquin moved into the sixth spot vacated by Nathalia after a massive 28.14 (182) to 3.4 (22) win against Cobram.
The Rams led by 72 points at half-time and proceeded to kick 14 goals to none in the second half on their way to the 160-point win, its biggest since 2008.
Oliver Draffin, Tom Druitt, Hayden Barker (six goals) and Brett Macdonald (eight goals) starred for the visitors, while Ben Nisbet and Ricky Gittens also kicked three goals each.
John Lucas, Darcy McCormack and Brent Downie tried hard for the Tigers.
Heathcote and District Football League
Leitchville-Gunbower solidified its hold on a spot in the top teams of the league with a gritty 11.15 (81) to 8.12 (60) win against Colbinabbin.
Playing their first game of the season at Gunbower, the home side only led by one point at the last break before kicking three goals to none in the final term.
Steve Pretty, Jake Truefeldt and Jye Keath led the way for the winners, with Jeremy Morgan, Tim O'Dwyer and Tim Hill trying hard for the Grasshoppers.
Linton Jacobs also kicked three goals in his return.
■ Lockington-Bamawm United showed little mercy to Heathcote, running away with a 20.16 (136) to 4.5 (29) win.
The Cats led by 47 points at half-time, before kicking a further 10 goals to one, with Marcus Angove, Ady Dohnt, Chris Hudson and Matt Deledio (six goals) starring.
Jeremy Mundie also kicked three goals.
Daniel Carroll, Kyle Siedel and Brad Morgan tried hard for the Saints.
■ Mt Pleasant prevailed in a potentially tricky encounter against White Hills, 14.12 (96) to 10.11 (71).
The Blues won every quarter in the encounter, with Tim Hill, Koe Ngawati, James Walsh and Kain Robins (three goals) leading the way.
Matt Gretgrix also kicked four goals.
Tom Kerrins, Matt Lehane and Jason Curtain were the best for the Demons, while Ricky Symes kicked three goals.
■ Damien Weeb (six goals), Anthony Plim and Jeremy Mills (four goals) led North Bendigo to a big win against Huntly, 20.14 (134) to 9.12 (66).
The Hawks won the second half, but the damage had already been done.
Braidy Dickens, James Blood, Matt Klein-Breteler (three goals) and Adrian McErvale (three goals) were the visitors' best.
Picola and District Football League north-west
Picola United kept in touch with the top five after a narrow 13-point win against Yarroweyah, 12.15 (87) to 11.8 (74).
Not much separated the teams throughout the day, with David Low, Kodi Hicks (four goals) and Sean Mortimer leading the way.
Dylan Cuningham also kicked five goals.
Daniel Clarke, Chase Saunders (three goals) and Reece Miller were the Grasshoppers' best.
■ Strathmerton inflicted Jerilderie's first defeat of the year, prevailing 13.15 (93) to 12.8 (80).
The Bulldogs pushed out to a 31-point lead by the final break, before the Demons finished strongly with seven goals to four.
Shaun Downie (three goals), Mitchell Shannon and Michael Laidlaw set the home team on the path to victory, while Josh Evans kicked four goals.
James Gilligan and Shaun and Tom Bryce impressed for the visitors, while Aaron Purcell and Josh Bode combined for seven goals.
■ Michael O'Riordan (five goals), Russell Sheriff (nine goals) and Eli Boyer (three goals) sparked Tocumwal to its biggest win in the league, thrashing Deniliquin Rovers 33.13 (211) to 3.7 (25).
Dylan Flanagan also kicked four goals as the team dominated the contest, with its 10-goal third quarter the best.
Matt Dowling, John Glorey and Ricky Howell tried hard for the Rams.
■ Blighty held on to its spot in the top five after an upset win against Berrigan, 9.13 (67) to 4.9 (33).
The Redeyes set up the win in the first half when they kicked six goals to one, with Judd Barnes, Michael Madden (three goals) and Jack Eastman standing out.
Chris Patten, Brock Gray and Matt Cameron were the best for the Saints.
Central Murray Football League
Cohuna moved into the top six on the ladder after defeating Tyntynder 16.15 (111) to 5.6 (36).
The Kangas kept the Bulldogs goal less after half-time and booted nine of their own to run away with the result, led by Daniel Paterson, Joel Bartram and Tom Holdstock, while Luke Eldridge and Angus Grigg kicked three goals each.
Brock Storer, Josh Cheek and Marcus Wattie were the best for the visitors.
■ Swan Hill prevailed in the top-of-the-table clash against Kerang, winning 17.13 (115) to 12.6 (78).
The Swans set the win up in the first half when they kicked 10 goals to four, before eventually winning by 37 points.
Tobias Thoolen was named the home team's best player, but Hugh Foott finished with a massive nine goals for the day, while Jonathon Hirst also played well.
Declan Foott kicked three goals.
Mark Walter, Karl Lohde and Troy Thamm (six goals) tried hard for the Blues.
■ Mallee Eagles stayed in third spot after holding on against Koondrook-Barham 10.10 (70) to 8.11 (59).
The Raiders led at the first break but then trailed by 26 points going into the final term, before lifting to challenge the Eagles.
Beau Bennett, Warren Carlyle, Jake Mills (three goals) and Ricky Thomson (three goals) led the way for the home side, while Lucas Matthews, Michael Grant and Harley Burmeister tried hard for the visitors.
Ryan Evans also kicked three goals.
■ NNW United kept Lake Boga goal less to three-quarter-time as it romped to a 16.22 (118) to 5.6 (36) win.
Corey Daniels, Ash Thompson and Cody Stobaus led the Demons to the win, while Matt Duffy and Adrian Knee each kicked three goals in an even team performance.
Jakson Holt, Josh Ewart and Jeremy Gleeson tried hard for the visitors.
■ The final result saw Woorinen comfortably overcome Balranald 17.14 (116) to 6.9 (45).
The Tigers trailed the Roos by three points at the opening break but proceeded to kick a further 14 goals to three to run out 71-point winners.
Billy McInnes (four goals), Dwayne Hamlyn and Matt Iannucci led the way for the winners, while Jamie Nicholas booted six goals.
Dane Fitzgerald, Bryce Delmenico and Jordan Weekley were the best for Balranald.
By Geordie Cowan
