Football
23 June, 2024
Positional changes spark Tigers
After losing their last three matches, having started the season with five consecutive wins, Pimpinio has bounced back to record a 67-point win over Natimuk at Pimpinio Sporting Complex in round ten of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
With the pressure mounting, Pimpinio coach Guy Smith moved Brock Hamerston and Noah Jacobsen from defence to centre-half-forward and full forward, respectively, and midfielders Matt Rosier and Daniel Baker to the half-back line.
This move paid dividends early on, as the Tigers came out firing in the first quarter, kicking five goals to two to take a 20-point lead into quarter-time.
They blew the game open in the second quarter, kicking five goals to one behind, and led by 51 points at halftime.
The Tigers have been concerned about second halves all season, and it looked like this would again be the case, with the Rams outscoring them to reduce the deficit to 33 points at three-quarter-time.
With a few encouraging words from coach Guy Smith at three-quarter-time, the Tigers responded in the last with a five-goal to one-quarter to pounce to a 17.7.109 to 6.6.42 victory.
Brock Hamerston led the Tigers with six goals, and Jason Westley, Dylan Thomas, and Dylan Bates were outstanding in the midfield alongside Matt Rosier and Daniel Baker in defence.
For the Rams, Joey Nagorcka and Cody Frizon kicked two goals apiece, and Daniel Werner and Kyah Wilkinson were also among their best players.
Guy Smith said Hamerston was a standout on the day.
"He has played down back all season, but he was a good forward, so we gave him an opportunity up forward, and he played a starring role," Smith said.
"The back six worked well with Baker and Rosier, and the changes seemed to have worked, so we will see what we do with them moving forward."
Smith was thrilled his troops ran out the last quarter.
"We have been trying to crack that shell, which is the consistency of the playing group, and everyone was happy with the win as we played a better brand," Smith said.
"The boys were a bit scarred from the previous week's game against the Saints and were excited to get out there and prove a point, and they did."
Southern Roos dish out a 200-point performance
At Kaniva Recreation Reserve, Harrow Balmoral has continued its mid-season resurgence with a 190-point win over Kaniva Leeor.
The Southern Roos were on fire early, kicking six goals to one in the first quarter to lead by 31 points at quarter-time. A further eight goals to one in the second quarter saw their margin extend to 75 points at half-time.
An 18 goal to two behind second half saw them run out the game, 32.14.206 to 2.4.16 winners.
Mitchell Grant and Nick Pekin kicked six goals for the Southern Roos, with Ethan Appleton outstanding up forward and Jai Thompson outstanding through the midfield.
Dylan Natt kicked two goals for the Cougars, and Hamish Bennett and Lochlyn Hahne continued their excellent seasons as the Team's best two players.
Roos coach Jai Thompson said the spread of goalkickers was awesome.
"We don't rely on one or two players, and as we can spread it around, it gives us lots of flexibility and makes the opposition teams keep guessing and to spread their backline bigger," Thompson said.
"Mitch [Grant] played one of his best games for the club. He created a lot of space, and we hit him up well, and his ability to win the ball at ground level is one of the best in the league, and he is starting to put all together this year, which is great."
"Ethan [Appleton] played well and was the most involved this season. He covered the ground well, used the ball well, and had excellent tackle pressure around the contest. As another young player, it's good to see him starting to hit his straps."
Bombers with another triple-figure winning margin
Seven goals to Judah Hobbs have led Noradjuha Quantong to a 115-point win over Taylors Lake at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve.
The Bombers came out of the blocks firing, kicking six goals to two to lead by 29 points at quarter-time.
A five-goal to one second half saw them extend that margin to 56 points at half-time. In the second half, the Bombers added another 11 goals to one to win 22.15.147 to 4.8.32.
Alex Ross kicked five goals for the Bombers, with Jayden Besford and Jack McRae among their other best players.
Ryan Gebert kicked two goals for the Lakers, with Bray Cullinan continuing his outstanding season through the midfield. Michael Graham and Coby Mines were also among the Lakers' best.
Earlier in the season, the Bombers wouldn't be winning by these margins, so they are starting to put things together, which is pleasing for coach Damian Cameron.
"We have had some better teams on the park and haven't been putting up these performances, so we are starting to get our groove and playing to our plans and strengths, which is pleasing to see," Cameron said.
"Judah Hobbs is just having an outstanding year, and we are letting him work the way he wants to work up forward. He has never played senior football before, and he leads to good spots, has good hands, and is finding some great form now.
"Alex Ross, also kicking five goals, is a young player in his third year of senior football and is starting to find his feet. He is super fast, hitting the scoreboard and enjoying his footy."