Football
20 May, 2024
Pimpinio remain unbeaten after eventful win over Taylors Lake
Pimpinio has remained unbeaten following a 32-point win over Taylors Lake at the Pimpinio Sporting Complex in round six of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
In what was a massive test for the umpires, the match between Pimpinio and Taylors Lake was heated early, with at least five 50-metre penalties awarded in the first quarter.
There was enough niggle in the game for everyone to be on their toes and the umpires kept control of the game as Pimpinio came out to score seven goals to one to take a 38-point lead into quarter-time.
The umpires gave a warning to both teams at quarter time.
In the second quarter, the Lakers kicked six goals to four to win the quarter and reduce the deficit to 29 points at halftime. Lakers Mitchell Crough got a yellow card for a late bump with a Tigers player hitting a car.
Pimpinio then extended the margin to 45 points at three-quarter time before running out 16.9.105 to 11.7.73 winners.
Pimpinio coach Guy Smith said it was a mini-final.
"We knew they were getting some hired help to play with rumours during the week they were desperately trying to knock us off," Smith said.
"I put it to the boys before the game that it was going to be a mini-final and we need to make sure we win against sides like this.
"They responded from the get-go and blew them out of the water. The Lakers were undisciplined in the first quarter but rallied in the second quarter and took it to us."
When asked what the message was to his players at halftime, Smith said they had to be better.
"I reiterated the fact that they can't be playing the one quarter and backing off and that we need to focus on being consistent and not allowing to let teams back into the game," Smith said.
"We knew the job had to be done better after half time and the boys came out and played a ripping third quarter.
"By that stage, they knew the game was over and we spent time rotating players through specific roles and mixing things up."
Jason Westley kicked four goals in the win with Dylan Baker and Nick Groves chipping in with three apiece.
Dylan Bates was named best on the ground again with Brock Hamerston, Keegan King and Tyler Filcock also among their best.
It was Liam Pfeiffer and Keegan King, however, that drew Smith's eye.
"He came in and filled a role in the ruck for us and he did exceptionally well," Smith said.
"Keegan King had to go through the middle a bit as Matt Rosier didn't play and filled a role."
For the Lakers, Bray Cullinan returned to be their best player with Justin Beugelaar kicking five goals.
Kalkee win first match of 2024
Kalkee secured their first win of 2024 with a comfortable 51-point win over Kaniva Leeor at Kalkee Recreation Reserve in round six of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The Kees came out of the gates fast, shutting out the Cougars in the first quarter whilst kicking six goals and five behinds to lead by 41 points at quarter time.
The Cougars toughed it out in the second quarter, outscoring the Kees to peg the margin back to 35 points at halftime.
The Kees then ran out the game in the second half, kicking eight goals to six to win 14.14.98 to 7.5.47.
Isaiah Adams and Jayden Kuhne both kicked three goals for the Kees with Matt Nield, Ben Lawson and Josh Milbourne also among their best players.
For the Cougars, Jock Maddern kicked two goals with Billy King and Lochlyn Hahne their better players.
Kalkee co-coach Steve Schultz said they didn't have any passengers and everyone played their role well.
"Everyone played well and we had a good even contribution around the ground," Schultz said.
"The boys have put a lot of effort in and to get that winning feeling at the end of the game is just a reward for effort and hopefully they take confidence from it moving forward.
"Our first quarters haven't been good and there was a slight breeze at the end we were kicking in the first quarter and our midfield got on top and gave our forwards opportunities to hit the scoreboard."
"We have talked a lot about the first quarters most weeks and it was good to see it come to fruition on Saturday."
Laharum push Harrow Balmoral
Laharum nearly pulled off the upset of the season, pushing Harrow Balmoral for three quarters at Cameron Oval.
Laharum got a jump on the Southern Roos early, kicking three goals to one in the first quarter to lead by 12 points at quarter time.
Their defence remained strong in the second quarter as Harrow kicked two goals to one to trail by six points at halftime.
The Demons again were solid after halftime, kicking two goals to remain four points in front at three-quarter time.
In the last quarter, the Southern Roos started to pull away, kicking three goals to win 8.6.54 to 6.2.38.
Shannon Argall kicked three goals for Laharum with Brett Ervin, Robbie Miller, Pat Lattanzio, Daniel Easson, Reuban Launder and Oliver Sykes their best players.
Co-coach Argall said they were disappointed they didn't get the win.
"We were back playing the way we wanted to play and it was disappointing we didn't get the win because we are starting to believe we can compete and win on our best day," Argall said.
"Twelve months ago we were happy to be competitive in parts of the game but expecting a loss, and that has changed this year, so it was disappointing in the context that we had our chances as we were in front most of the game and didn't have that polish to finish it off.
"They have been a juggernaut for years and we were just lacking in that nous and experience to finish off the game.
When asked what went wrong after three-quarter time, Argall pointed out costly mistakes as one of the factors.
"I can pin it down to three or four mistakes either by skill errors or decision-making on our behalf," Argall said.
"Examples include kicking to a two-on-one and miskicks, turnovers and quick forward 50 entries. They are the things that cost us.
"With that said, our defence has shown all year we can restrict teams, and to be able to restrict Harrow Balmoral to three goals in the first half on a perfect day for footy, we were happy on that front as we are growing and starting to change our perception and understand where we belong."
Ruckman Oliver Sykes, as a youngster, showed a lot of promise in 2023, and came into the side for the first time this season, after being the best in the reserves, to be influential in the game.
"He probably didn't do as good as a pre-season as we wanted him to so he has played in the reserves and played well and deserved his opportunity following a string of good games," Argall said.
"His growth has been awesome and he has grown a lot from last year in the way he played the game and it showed yesterday. He has truly put his hand up and it releases myself and Tom Dunn from the ruck and play where we need to play."
For the Southern Roos, Mitchell Grant kicked three goals with Jai Thompson, Ethan Appleton and George Austin among their best players.
Roos coach Jai Thompson said Laharum played good football.
"We didn't play our best and Laharum set us up structurally as we were pretty small up forward," Thompson said.
"They set up a good full ground press and threw a few players behind the ball and made it hard for us the way we want to play, in the quick and fast chip the ball around style.
"Credit goes to them. They played some really good football and held us up"
The Roos lost Matt Jones and Brait Headen during the third quarter and only had two on the bench, so to come away with the win in the last quarter pleased Thompson.
"The last quarter we put Anthony Close down forward to give us a target to kick to and give numbers and that set us up a bit better," Thompson said.
"With our outside class, we were able to get on top and work out where their spare numbers were as they were hiding that well.
"I am pleased with the boys for how they reacted and ran out the game as it was a tough hard-fought win."
Swifts bounce back with tough win over the Saints
Missing Brett Hargreaves, Angus Murray, Bourke Nicholls and Kurt Bruechart from their starting team, the Swifts had a tough day at the office against Edenhope Apsley at North Park, winning by 23 points.
The Saints led at quarter time and trailed by four at halftime and an upset looked on the cards.
In the third quarter, the Swifts extended that margin out to 13 and then held the Saints goalless in the last quarter to run out 10.11.71 to 7.6.48 winners.
Paul Summers kicked four goals in the win with Cameron Wickham, Brodie Kindred, Scott Carey, Kobe Lowe and Ryan Folkes their best players.
For the Saints, Brock Summerhayes continues his great season with another great display through the midfield with Josh La Rocca and Shayne Williams also among their best. Charlie Campbell kicked two goals.
Coach Brett Hargreaves said the skill level was atrocious and they came out flat following
a big game the week before against Harrow Balmoral.
"The amount of targets we missed by hand or foot, was atrocious," Hargreaves said.
"The Saints are a solid team and we came out flat and struggled to get out of that funk.
"Last week's game was hard mentally and physically and that had a fair bit to do with it as for both teams, it was a game we were targeting."
Hargreaves said they received a reality check after the game.
"We will try and freshen up this week and get that skill level right and I said to them after the game it was a reality check," Hargreaves said.
"We can't afford to be playing good footy every week and drop a game.
"With that said, we couldn't have played worse and we still won. The old Swifts would have dropped that game so it was pleasing."
"We do need to do better though and hopefully we see a good response next week against Natimuk. If we are a serious team this year then we need to rebound strong."