Riverine Herald |
Echuca and Mathoura lost, but Echuca United, Moama, Tongala, LBU and Leitchville-Gunbower all had wins on Saturday.
Echuca missed out on a chance to stay within reach of the Goulburn Valley Football League top six after Euroa prevailed 8.12 (60) to 6.4 (40).
In the low-scoring contest, no more than three points separated the teams through the first three breaks, with scores tied at three-quarter-time.
However, the Magpies went on to kick three goals to none and win by 20 points, led by Craig Bamford, Nick Snowdon and Nathan Harper.
Simon Buckley, Matt Hay and Matt Pollock were the best for the Murray Bombers, while Nick Jackson also played well to kick three goals.
■ Rochester consigned Seymour to bottom spot on the ladder after a come-from-behind victory, 11.16 (82) to 7.8 (50).
The visitors trailed by 10 points after the first quarter, but then effectively won the match in the next two terms as they kicked six goals to one and take a 32-point lead into the final break, eventually winning by 30.
Midfielders Brendon Hollow, Daniel Anderson and Nick Knight were the most impressive for the winners, while Dylan Cuttriss overcame a knee injury from last week to impress with five goals.
Grant Weeks also kicked three goals.
Jason Cole, Tom Freeman and Brett Meredith tried hard for Seymour, while Paul Colbert kicked three goals and Saad Saad was restricted to his lowest tally of the year with two majors.
■ A six-goal second term helped Kyabram stay near the top of the ladder after defeating Mooroopna 10.17 (77) to 8.10 (58).
The Cats led by nine points at the first break but the Bombers' second term saw it take a 26-point lead into half-time.
However, the home team responded in the third quarter to draw within 12 points, before losing by 21.
Jake Reeves, Tom Sheldon and Liam Ogden guided the way for the winners, while Charlie Burrows, Shayne Lynch and Joe Sullivan were the best for Mooroopna.
Daniel Lewis also finished with four goals.
■ Shepparton recorded just its second win of the year after defeating Mansfield 10.5 (65) to 7.3 (45).
The Bears led by 32 points at the last break and survived a late fightback from the Eagles to move off the bottom of the ladder.
Ash Holland, Will Patone (four goals) and Daniel Willis led the way for the Bears, with Mark Jones, Matt Storere and Ben Fagan the best for the opposition.
■ Benalla proved too strong in an engrossing top-of-the-ladder contest away against Shepparton Swans, 12.14 (86) to 8.5 (53).
The Saints started in blistering fashion to lead by 30 points at the first break, but the home team struck back to trail by 16 points at half-time.
After a goal-less third term, the visitors then kicked away again to win by 33 points with Luke Morgan, Al Jacka (three goals) and Ryan Colbert leading the way, while Josh Mellington also kicked three goals.
Jessie Finnen, Tyson Sidebottom and Quade Johnstone (three goals) were the best for the Swans.
■ After a tough first half, Tatura ran away with its clash against Shepparton United to win 10.11 (71) to 4.9 (33).
The Demons led by one point at half-time, but were then restricted to just one goal as the Bulldogs kicked seven to see a 38-point final margin.
James Sullivan (four goals) starred for the home side, with Tim Lanyon and Matt Ryan also good.
Matt Rendina, Tim Looby and David Gillespie tried hard for United.
Murray Football League
Echuca United moved back up to second spot on the ladder after a hard-earned 14-point win against Mulwala, 11.13 (79) to 9.11 (65).
The Eagles looked comfortable after holding a 20-point lead at three-quarter-time, before the Lions, fought back to draw within a point before the home team responded to win by 14 points.
Ricki Waters, Ash Kirchhofer (three goals) and Cameron Parker were the best for the home side, while Sean Robinson, Jarrod O'Shea and Dylan Robinson almost earned the visitors the win.
Will Farrer also kicked five goals.
■ Tongala moved up to ninth spot on the ladder after a thrilling four-point win at home against Congupna, 12.4 (76) to 10.12 (72).
In a see-sawing game, the Blues led by 13 points at the last change before just holding on against the Road.
Matt Ohlsen, Jordan Souter and David Newman were named the team's best in the win, while forwards Andrew Reid and Elijah Edwards kicked three goals each.
Ben Hicks, Tate Mifka and Jack Ellis (two goals) almost saw Congupna snatch the win.
■ Moama sits only percentage outside the top six of the league after a thumping win against Cobram, 32.24 (216) to 0.1 (1).
Tyler Jones booted 13 goals and Jake Kilmartin seven as the Magpies maintained their high output throughout the match, with 19 goals in the second and third terms.
Daniel Thorp, Rhys Archard and Jones were the team's best players, while Sammy O'Meara also kicked three goals.
John Lucas, Michael Gillard and Lance Crowe tried hard for the Tigers.
■ Nathalia pushed itself back into the top six with a hard-fought 7.13 (55) to 7.7 (49) win against Barooga in coach Jason Limbrick's 150th game.
The Purples trailed by four points going into the final term, but then kicked 3.4 to 2.0 to run out narrow winners.
Limbrick (four goals), Craig Whyte and Joe Nihill were named the home team's best players, while Marcus Smith, Josh Helliwell and Jack O'Callaghan led the way for the Hawks.
Jake Russell also kicked three goals.
■ Finley claimed top spot on the ladder with a hard-fought win against Rumbalara, 7.12 (54) to 6.8 (44).
Rumba burst out of the blocks to lead by 23 points at the first break but the Cats then put on a defensive display to restrict the visitors to just two more goals for the rest of the match.
Matt Jackson, Lachlan Small and Cameron Robertson led the way for Finley, while Stuart Day — who had just transferred from Elmore — Ryan Hudson and Ash Miller were the best for the visitors.
■ Deniliquin Rams moved up to fourth on the ladder after defeating Numurkah 10.11 (71) to 5.14 (44).
The Rams won each of the first three quarters to lead by 40 points at the final break, before completing the comfortable win with Todd Gallagher, Hayden Barker (three goals) and Sam Callanan the best afield.
Braydon Sutton, Lucas White and Tom Buzza were the best for the Blues.
Heathcote and District Football League
Jonathan Hay booted seven goals as Lockington-Bamawm United stayed top of the ladder after a 21.10 (136) to 6.10 (46) win against Elmore.
The Cats kicked seven goals in each of the first two quarters to set up the win, with John Halloran and Marcus Angove leading the way, while Jeremy Mundie also chipped in with four goals.
Peter Harrison, Rhys Mehlstaubler and Will Longford tried hard for the Bloods, who kicked at least one goal in every quarter.
■ Leitchville-Gunbower kicked eight goals to none in the first half as they comfortably defeated Heathcote 16.11 (107) to 5.8 (38).
Will Brereton, Jye Keath and Marty Shadbolt were the most impressive for the Bombers in their win, while Joel Helman and Ryan Hocking each kicked five goals.
Luke and Daniel Carroll and Kyle Siedel tried hard for the Saints.
■ Mt Pleasant kicked six goals in the last quarter to ensure victory as it overcame Colbinabbin, 14.9 (93) to 7.13 (55).
The Grasshoppers trailed by only eight points at the final change but could not stay with the visitors in the final quarter, who were led by Kain Robins, Nathan Whipp and Tim Hill, while Breton O'Coonell booted five goals and Matt Gretgrix three.
Will Morrow and Lochlan and Hadleigh Sirett were the best for the home side.
■ North Bendigo kept up its push for top spot with a big 18.21 (129) to 7.10 (52) win against White Hills.
Both teams kicked three goals in the opening term, but it was all the Bulldogs after that with Daniel Sipthorp, Tyson Findlay (three goals) and Cameron Lomas the most impressive.
Ash Craig (four), Damien Webb (three) and Jeremy Mills (three) also had an impact on the scoreboard.
Matt Lehane, Caillum Brady and Brodie Johnson were the Demons' best.
Picola and District Football League north-west
Mathoura was unable to capture its third win of the season as Chase Saunders dominated for Yarroweyah, with the Grasshoppers winning 11.16 (82) to 7.10 (52).
The Timbercutters were right in the contest at the last break, trailing by nine points, but the home team kicked away to the 30-point win.
Saunders (seven goals), Daniel Clarke and David Murray led the way for the winners, while Wayne Phyland, Chris Allingham and Tim Sparey were the best for Mathoura.
Toby Parish also kicked three goals for Yarroweyah.
■ Strathmerton proved much too strong for Picola United, winning 20.14 (134) to 8.4 (52).
Shaun Downie (four goals), Josh Evans (six goals) and Mark Luci led the visitors to the big win, with David Low, Tom Lindsay and Timon Muir trying hard for the Blues.
Adrian Crestani and Dylan Cunningham kicked three goals for each team respectively.
■ Tocumwal leap-frogged Berrigan on the ladder after a big 15.18 (108) to 4.7 (31) win, with Dylan Flanagan kicking six goals.
David Farrell, Brad Wilson and Cory Parish guided the Bloods to the 77-point win, while Ron Middleton, Chris Patten and Daniel Parmley tried hard for the Saints.
■ Blighty earned a handy gap to sixth spot on the ladder after defeating Deniliquin Rovers 10.14 (74) to 3.3 (21).
Edward McCulloch, Jack Bunnett and Simon Maher were instrumental in the home team's win, with Brody Lumber kicking four goals.
Matt Johnson, Marc Braybon and Brendan Hope were the best for the Rovers.
Central Murray Football League
Cohuna Kangas kicked five goals to none in the second half as they defeated Koondrook-Barham 11.10 (76) to 5.12 (42).
Luke Eldridge (four goals), Joel Bartram and Christian Bock led the way for the visitors, while Zac Hare, Matt Dean and Shane Guerra impressed for the Raiders.
■ Kerang survived an almighty scare against Woorinen to stay in second spot on the ladder after winning 6.14 (50) to 6.12 (48).
The Blues looked to be well in control at half-time keeping the Tigers without a goal and led by 32 points at the last break.
However, the visitors kicked 4.7 to no score in the final term to come close to a major upset.
Mathew Coates, Josh Bray and Mark Walter were the best for the winners, while Luke Livingston kicked four goals.
Aaron Cadd, Matt Iannucci and Jordy McInnes almost got the Tigers over the line.
■ Swan Hill maintained its undefeated start to the year to beat Lake Boga 12.20 (92) to 6.8 (44).
The Swans dominated from the outset to record the win, with Xavier Moloney (three goals), Tobias Thoolen and Declan Quin (three goals) leading the way.
Nathan Cunning, Hamish Hooppell and Nick O'Neill were the best for the Magpies.
■ After a tight first half, Tooleybuc-Manangatang earned a comfortable 12.14 (86) to 8.3 (51) win against Mallee Eagles.
The home side kicked eight goals to four in the second half to wrap up the result, with Jack Spinks, Michael Dedini and Stephen Lyons the team's best, while Lee Cox and Brad Morris combined for seven goals.
Warren Carlyle was the best for the Eagles, with Jacob Wade and Ricky Thomson also impressing, while Jake Mills kicked four goals.
■ The final game saw NNW United thump Tyntynder 19.18 (132) to 6.7 (43).
Matt Duffy, Darryl White (four goals) and Dean Harrop played a big part in the Demons' win, with Adrian Knee also kicking seven goals.
Darcy Bibby, Brock Storer and Cameron Cook were the best for the home side.
Check out all the scoreboards for the GVFL, MFL, HDFL and PDFL NW and some match reports in Monday's Riverine Herald.
By Geordie Cowan
