Football
29 April, 2024
Noradjuha Quantong win Arapiles Cup
Noradjuha Quantong defeated Natimuk by 45-points at Quantong Recreation Reserve with the club winning the Arapiles Cup with various wins across the board in all grades in football and netball.
In a tight first quarter, the Rams put it up to the Bombers with the home side taking a one-goal lead into quarter time.
The Bombers then got the ascendancy in the second quarter kicking six goals to one to lead by 35 points at the main break. They held that lead in the last half to run out 14.9.93 to 7.6.48 winners.
Jack Vague was brilliant in the ruck for the Bombers with Jayden Besford and Dawson Cross solid throughout the game with Judah Hobbs and Brock Orval strong up forward with three goals apiece.
For the Rams, Joey Nagorcka kicked two goals with Dylan Newell and Lachlan Smith their better players.
Bombers coach Damian Cameron said it was a hard slog early, but was happy they could respond.
"The first five minutes of the opening quarter was frustrating as they kicked three straight and it put the pressure on a bit, but when we composed ourselves we played some consistent football and got on top," Cameron said.
"We had a good day as a club. On the senior footy side of things the last couple of years, despite where we were on the ladder, we have had some great games with Natimuk and it was good to break it open on the weekend."
Cameron said Vague was brilliant.
"He normally holds his own and plays a solid game but on the weekend it was easily the best game he has played in my few years at the club," Cameron said.
"His willingness to work and push forward and his work rate is second to none.
"Jayden Besford was the other standout. His work-rate and willingness to put his body on the line and get the hard ball for a smaller player is a standout and he has been dangerous pushing forward."
Rupanyup bounces back to secure first victory of 2024.
Following a round-one loss to Pimpinio, Rupanyup bounced back to defeat Kalkee by 72 points at Kalkee Recreation Reserve.
The Panthers held the Kees goalless in the first quarter whilst kicking three and then pounced in the last quarter, kicking nine goals to two to take a 63-point lead into the main break. They then ran out the game to win 17.11.113 to 5.11.41.
Panthers coach Brayden Ison kicked seven goals in the win with Jacob Christie chipping in with three. Bill Hansen and Lachlan Weidemann alongside Daniel Schaper were among their best players.
For the Kees, Patrick Mills and Zavier Hobbs were the best with Isaiah Adams kicking two goals.
Brayden Ison said the Panthers are starting to gel.
"After that first game, we just needed to get to know each other and how each other plays," Ison said.
"We also worked hard defensively and ran a bit too hard forward but there was better balance this week between offensive and defensive running."
"Bill Hansen and Lachlan Weidemann got a lot of the footy and worked hard all day. Lachie kicked a goal and set a few up which was good to see."
"Daniel Schaper was great as a general down back and Jacob Christie was great across half forward and got a lot of the ball and set up play, which was good to see."
Laharum win second consecutive game.
Laharum defeated Kaniva Leeor by 71 points at Kaniva Recreation Reserve. The Demons were potent in the first quarter keeping the Cougars scoreless and then got a run on to win 12.22.94 to 3.5.23.
Shannon Argall kicked three goals for the Demons as they had eight different goal kickers with Daniel Easson again best on the ground with Robbie Miller, Brett Ervin and Riley Cross also among the best.
For the Cougars, Hamish Bennett and Billy King were their best.
Demons coach Shan Argall said there is a lot of growth in the team.
"It was a dominant performance but unfortunately we weren't able to convert it on the scoreboard," Argall said.
"We have had a lot of growth from last week and the fellas are starting to fire and play the way we want them to play and they can execute that.
"Across 90% of the game we were in control as we had a bit of lapse in concentration at the start of the second when they kicked two consecutive goals."
Argall said they have been looking at their avenues to goal and are thrilled they can share it around.
"We had less forward 50 turnovers and were able to take a lot more contested marks and have a lot more shots on goal," Argall said.
"Full credit to the boys. They can be frustrating, but no one was getting upset or angry and frustrated. They just kept their cool and worked through it."
Peter Staude's 150th celebrated in style as Harrow Balmoral ran rampant.
Nick Pekin relished his more permanent role up forward, booting nine goals in Harrow Balmoral's 134-point drubbing of Edenhope Apsley to win for Peter Staude in his milestone game.
Returning from completing the Kokoda trail with friends, Pekin was dominant up forward as the Southern Roos ran out 24.16.160 to 3.8.26 winners.
Cody Deutscher, William Plush, Will Burbury, Ethan Appleton and Jai Thompson were the best players on the ground.
For the Saints, Fraser Thompson presented up forward with Bernard Kealy, Adam Hood and Heath Keatley among their better players.
Harrow Balmoral coach Jai Thompson said they are starting to execute the game plan they want to play.
"We set ourselves up in the first half with good gameplay and then we got it free-flowing and out ran them in the second half," Thompson said.
"In round one we played our structure right and the execution let us down and this round it all started to click.
"We were able to hit targets with short kicks and ran and carried the ball well and once we got moving we were hard to stop."
"It was good to get it into the forward line quickly and move in waves like we did and it was pretty impressive how it all came together and it makes us hard to stop."
Thompson has been impressed by the youngsters in Josh Grant, Alex Rees, George Austin and Rhys Daffey.
"They run a lot and they have come out of under-17s footy straight into seniors and they run all day and create sparks and energy for us at the end of the game. They are going to be very important this year and they have a lot more developing to do which is going to be great to watch," Thompson said.
Swifts annihilate Taylors Lake
The Swifts defeated Taylors Lake by 168 points at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve with recruit Paul Summers kicking another eight goals.
The Swifts controlled the game from start to finish running out 29.15.189 to 3.3.21 winners.
Angus Murray and Chris Freeman chipped in with five and four goals respectively as Summers has now kicked 27 goals in three games. Ryan Folkes was best on the ground for the Swifts.
For Taylors Lake, Justin Beugelaar and Hunter Campey were their best players.
Swifts coach Brett Hargreaves said it was pleasing they could finally put four quarters together.
"The first two weeks we haven't been able to be consistent over four quarters but that changed on the weekend," Hargreaves said.
"I am particularly proud of the boys in the second quarter as the Lakers flooded and we fought hard and worked through it and kicked five goals.
"I am impressed our boys thought their way through it. We peeled everything back and were able to get through it."