Football
27 May, 2024
Kalkee win second consecutive game
After having not won a match up until round six, Kalkee has now won two on the trot, this time an impressive 21-point win over Taylors Lake at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve in round seven of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Kalkee got out to an eight-point lead at quarter time and extended it to 15 at half time. The Lakers fought back in the third to bring the margin back to eight points but a three-goal to one final quarter saw the Kees win 13.11.89 to 9.14.68.
Deacon Campbell kicked a game-high five goals for the Kees with Isaiah Adams chipping in with three. Matt Nield, Patrick Mills, Jakob Butcher, Ben Lawson and Brodi Dolan were among their best players.
For the Lakers, Justin Beugelaar and Bray Cullinan both kicked two goals with Billy Finnigan and Brayden Gebert among their best.
Kalkee co-coach Andy Devereaux said it was a great win.
"It was a hard contest as they had bigger bodies and were a tough challenge on their home deck and we knew going into the game it was going to be tough, so to get the win was very pleasing," Devereaux said.
"Before the game, we looked at the vision and knew that they liked to possess and chip the ball around so our ability to man up was really good and we were able to convert our chances when we had the opportunity.
"Isaiah and Deacon as young blokes were great up forward and Matty Nield and Patty Mills in the midfield helped us a lot."
"Brodi Dolan down back was consistent in one-on-ones whilst Brodie Pitt did a great job on Beugelaar."
Swifts with a dominant win
Following a tough win over Edenhope-Apsley in round six, in which they didn't play to the standard coach Brett Hargreaves wanted, the Swifts rebounded with a 110-point win over Natimuk at Natimuk Showgrounds.
The Swifts dominated from the outset kicking eight goals to zero in the first quarter to lead by that margin. Natimuk put up resistance in the second quarter, outscoring the Swifts, but after half time, it was all the Swifts, kicking 14 goals to win 23.15.153 to 6.7.43.
Paul Summers kicked six goals for the Swifts with Seth Blake and Ryan Folkes chipping in with four apiece. Kobe Lowe and Liam Scott were also among their best players.
For Natimuk, their six goals came from six players as Adam Coutts, Kaiden Sudholz and Jonathan Lovel were among their best players.
The bad news to come from the game is Rams coach Jarred Combe suffered a terrible injury with four broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung.
Swifts coach Brett Hargreaves said it was good to come out like they did.
"They only just got beaten by Edenhope and as Edenhope gave us a push, coupled with the fact we never play well at Natimuk, we knew it was going to be a tough game," Hargreaves said.
"The second quarter let us down but the instructions at halftime was to share the footy and other than the first five minutes being scratchy, the boys did that and our ball movement was good and I was happy with how they responded."
Kobe Lowe played in the ruck and Hargreaves said he had a brilliant game.
"We normally play him across half-forward but used him in the ruck as he played juniors there and he did a tremendous job winning a lot of taps and getting plenty of his own ball," Hargreaves said.
"Liam Scott at centre-half-back was also good and took about eight overhead marks with four or five contested."
Demons win tight battle against Saints
Laharum moved two games clear in sixth place on the ladder following a tough 16-point win over Edenhope Apsley at Edenhope Recreation Reserve.
The Demons got out of the blocks fast kicking four goals to lead by 20 points at quarter time. The Saints fought back in the second to trail by 16 points at the main break. In the second half, both teams fought hard but it was the Demons running out 9.11.65 to 7.7.49 winners.
Robbie Miller and Daniel Easson were outstanding in the midfield for the Demons with Oliver Sykes brilliant again in the ruck with Josh Hutchinson the star up forward with three goals.
For the Saints, Fraser Thompson was their best with three goals whilst Jeremy Kealy and Ben Campbell were also among their best.
Demons coach Shannon Argall said he was proud of how the boys responded after Edenhope threw everything at them.
"It was a gritty match and we played well and restricted their opportunities," Argall said.
"We got a good start and they kicked a couple of goals late in the first and had momentum in the second but the boys responded well under pressure, not only from the Saints but also the home crowd that were willing their side on.
"In the past, we would have let that game slip, but the boys battled hard and it was a credit to them."
Argall highlighted Oliver Sykes and Josh Hutchinson after the match.
"Ollie has been a ripper. Ruckmen take a long time to develop and he is still young and he is playing well and providing us with flexibility," Argall said.
"Hutchinson in the forward pocket played well and as a teenager, he is a strong and explosive footballer. It was his fourth senior game and he is still learning and is starting to adapt.
"Reuben Launder in the middle is an absolute stalwart and he can get new opportunities with Robbie [Miller] and Dan [Easson] in the middle helping out and playing well."
Southern Roos prevail in tough battle
Harrow Balmoral survived a challenge from Rupanyup to win by 20 points at Harrow Recreation Reserve.
The Panthers applied the pressure early, kicking the first two goals. Harrow Balmoral bounced back to lead by two points at quarter time.
In the second quarter, the Panthers kicked five goals to two to take a 12-point lead into the main break.
The Roos responded after half time, to kick five goals to three to reclaim the lead by three points at three-quarter time.
In the last, the Roos got on top, kicking two goals and holding the Panthers goalless to win 13.19.97 to 11.11.77.
Jai Thompson was best on the ground for the Roos, brilliant through the midfield and hitting the scoreboard with two goals. Michael Close and Cody Deutscher kicked an equal game-high three goals.
Nick Pekin, William Plush and Mitchell Grant were also amongst the best for the Roos.
For Rupanyup, Christopher Schaper kicked three goals to continue his good form with Bill Hansen, Mitchell Gleeson, Kane Timmins and Brayden Ison amongst their best players.
Roos coach Jai Thompson said everyone was positive at half time.
"I said to the boys at half time to remain positive as we played some good footy, but didn't execute well enough," Thompson said.
"We missed a few easier targets which cost us a few goals and we knew we could fix those little things up as the pressure was good around the footy and we just needed the polish on the outside.
"It was a little bit of back and forth and momentum swings in the second half and Rupanyup played well."
"It was good to see that when we were challenged and they had the momentum we could wrestle it back."
"I said to the guys after the match that later in the year when we need to curb challenges, we can do it and it's great to get those games now to learn from."