Football
3 June, 2024
Bombers defeat Kalkee in thriller
Two late goals to Noradjuha Quantong gave them an 11-point win over Kalkee at the Kalkee Recreation Reserve. Rupanyup, meanwhile, secured a tough victory over Edenhope Apsley in round eight of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The Bombers led by five points at quarter time in a tough first quarter where only three goals were scored.
They found their groove in the second quarter kicking four goals to one to take a 26 point lead into half time.
The Kees weren't to be denied, kicking four goals to one to trail by three points at three quarter time.
The Kees were all over the Bombers in the fourth quarter and could sniff victory. Inaccurate kicking cost them, however, as they kicked four behinds which could easily have been goals.
The Bombers, as all good teams do, punished them late in the game to win 10.5.65 to 7.12.54.
Judah Hobbs kicked three goals for the Bombers with Zachary Kelly, Declan Bushby, James Hallett and Jason Kerr all amongst their best players.
For the Kees, Ben Lawson kicked four goals as Matt Nield, Patrick Mills and Louis Papst were also among their best.
Kees co-coach Steve Schultz gave full credit to his boys for having a crack.
"We played well enough to win it and it was just the last five or ten minutes that cost us as they ran out the game better," Schultz said.
"We are definitely improving as we are seeing improvement across the board. We have blooded so many new players and they have come in and did their role.
"To match it with a good side with the amount of injuries we have, was fantastic and I couldn't be happier."
Schultz said their midfield was strong but highlighted Josh Milbourne and Brodie Pitt as two standout players.
"Both were under the pump early down back in the first half and were able to repel in the second half and played great man-on-man," Schultz said."
Panthers have tough win over the Saints
At Rupanyup Recreation Reserve, the Panthers faced a tough Saints team who threw a defensive game at them.
The Saints were great on defence, whilst adding two goals to lead by two points at quarter time. The Panthers found a way through in the second quarter, kicking two goals to take an 11 point lead into half time.
In the third quarter, they held the Saints goalless as they kicked a further four goals to lead by 32 points at the last break before adding another three to win 11.13.79 to 6.10.48.
Blake Downer kicked an equal game-high three goals for the Panthers whilst Bill Hansen was brilliant through the midfield with Keiran Sait, Mitchell Gleeson and Jimmy Finnigan also amongst their best.
For the Saints, Brock Summerhayes kicked three goals with Jeremy Kealy, Boyd Packer and Adam Hood amongst their best players.
Panthers coach Brayden Ison said it was tough early, but was able to turn things around.
"They had a defensive game and got numbers back and chipped it around, and it wasn't a game style we are used to," Ison said.
"Because they put numbers back, we went around them and switched it up a bit and instead of playing into their hands, we got it back on our terms."
Bill Hansen has hit his straps the last few weeks after coming back from an ACL injury late last year and Brayden Ison said it's unbelievable what he is doing.
"He got a good pre-season under his belt, and it is showing as what he is doing is pretty unbelievable," Ison said.
"He is an assistant coach and is helping with setups in the midfield and is playing well individually and is dominant."
Ison is also happy with Jimmy Finnigan's season.
"He got a bit lost last week and bounced back yesterday. He is a beautiful kick of the footy, and is able to run that 15 metres and then kick it 50, so that is the type of player you want in the side. He is playing well," Ison said.