Football
12 August, 2024
Driscoll's eight sinks the Eagles
Eight goals to Cody Driscoll have led Stawell to a comfortable 109-point win over the Warrack Eagles at Anzac Park in round 16 of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Eagles came out hard, but the Warriors stood tall to lead by 15 points at quarter-time. They restricted the Eagles to two points in the second quarter, kicking four to extend the margin to 40 points at the main break.
It was all the Warriors in the second half, kicking eight goals in both the third and fourth quarters to run out 24.12.156 to 7.5.47 winners.
Along with Cody's eight goals, Ash Driscoll kicked five. Thomas Eckel, Owen Summers, Josh Fowkes, Zachary Marrow, and Sean Mantell were among their best.
Kyle Cheney kicked four goals for the Eagles, with Riley Morrow, Lachie Stewart, Machok Garang, Jayke Hellmanns, Timothy McCormick, and Justin Appledore among their best.
Warriors coach Tom Eckel said it was a nice confidence builder.
"It's good to find momentum at the end of the year. There is a good feeling at the moment, and it's good to get that confidence on the eve of finals," Eckel said.
"We had some clean passages of play, and the work rate was high. Our disposal was much better, and we seemed to click and use our skills to hit the targets."
When asked if deciding to give the coaching away in 2025 has relieved some pressure, Eckel said, "Slightly."
"It was a pretty smooth transition, and I guess there is a little bit of pressure on my shoulders in a way, knowing the club is in good hands and don't need to worry about what they will do next year," Eckel said.
"Everything has worked out in the last couple of months, and we are starting to tick over and are fully focused ahead in the coming month."
The Warriors will look to get Jacob Welsh, Mitch Taylor, Josh Linton, and James Sclanders back in the coming weeks, which will make them full strength.
Thunder roars at Rainbow
The Southern Mallee Thunder defeated Nhill by 48 points at Rainbow Recreation Reserve to stay on the top of the ladder.
The Thunder kicked three goals to one in the first quarter to lead by 15 points at quarter-time. Three more goals to one in the second quarter extended the lead to 27 points.
The Thunder moved further away in the third quarter, kicking another four goals to lead by 47 points at three-quarter-time before they added another four in the last to run out 14.17.101 to 8.5.53 winners.
Thomas Clarke kicked four goals in the win, with Sam White, Coleman Schache, Kai Sheers, Tobias Fisher, and Kieran Delahunty among the Thunder's best.
Xavier Bone kicked three for the Tigers, with Jake McQueen, Deek Roberts, Liam Albrecht, Lucas Dahlenburg, and Darcy Honeyman among their best.
Saints claim 16-point win over the Burras
At Coughlin Park, four goals to Jacob O'Beirne have led the Saints to a solid win over Minyip Murtoa.
In a tight first quarter, with both teams kicking three goals, the Saints took a slender one-point lead into quarter-time.
The Saints held the Burras goalless in the second quarter to extend the margin to 23 points at half-time.
Another excellent quarter in the third saw the Saints extend the lead further to 34 points.
The Burras, needing a win to help stay in finals contention, stormed home in the last but fell short, with the Saints running out 13.13.91 to 11.9.75 winners.
Gage Wright, William Taylor, Sam Clyne, Will Tickner, and Cody Bryan were among the best for the Saints.
Jae McGrath and Tanner Smith kicked four goals for the Burras, with Kade Petering, Dusty Cross, Luke Fisher, and Lachlan Jones their best players.
The loss still keeps the Burras in contention for finals, with one game remaining behind Nhill.
Ganley's ten goals help bridge the percentage gap
Equal on the top of the ladder with the Thunder, Ararat has reduced a 15% deficit to just three following a massive 120-point win over Dimboola at Alexandra Oval.
The Rats were relentless early, kicking five goals to nil to lead by 32 points at quarter-time. A seven-goal second quarter extended the lead to 64 at the main break.
The Rats kicked six more goals to one in the third quarter to lead by 97 points at the final break. Another five in the last brought them to a 23.17.155 to 5.5.35 win.
Jack Ganley was best on the ground with his ten majors, with Baydn Cosgriff, James Jennings, Ben Taylor, Sonny Kettle, and Ethan Summers among their best players.
Michael Pohlner and Jaara Secombe kicked two goals apiece for the Roos, with Andrew Moore, Jack Landt, and Ben Miller their best players through the midfield.