Football
22 April, 2024
Thunder roar to convincing win
The Southern Mallee Thunder roared to a 129-point win over the Warrack Eagles at Sir Robert Menzies Park on Saturday.
For the first time in 35 years, Wimmera Football Netball League was played at Jeparit and the Thunder stormed out of the gates.
The Thunder put the game to bed early, kicking nine goals and keeping the Eagles goalless. In the second quarter, they kicked a further five to two goals to take a 76-point lead into halftime.
From there they flexed their muscles kicking another 11 goals to run out 25.11.161 to 5.2.32 winners.
Thomas Clarke and recruit Bradley Lowe both kicked five goals a piece for the Thunder with Rupert Sangster and Kieran Delahunty chipping in with four and three respectively.
Xavier Oakley and Liam Nelson were also solid across the ground.
With the team playing competitively for the first time, coach Kieran Delahunty was thrilled with how they kickstarted their season.
"That first quarter was the best footy I have ever been a part of and it was a great sign to finish off the game the way we did with a great four-quarter effort," Delahunty said.
"Aside from a couple of incidents late in the game which took the shine off a bit, it was a pleasing result and everyone played their role."
Delahunty said recruit Bradley Lowe provided them with a lot up forward.
"Brad came down with the Gold Coast boys and he provided a focal point up forward for us and he was awesome," Delahunty said.
"I don't think he would have missed when he got the ball in his hands. He is an accurate set shot and he was impressive.
"Seeing Thomas Clarke for the first time, I was impressed at what I saw. He works hard all day in the forward line and provides a target and he was able to get on the end of five goals which was pleasing."
Xavier Oakley, whom Delahunty had huge raves about in the pre-season showed he belongs and Delahunty loved what he saw.
"I have been impressed with him over the pre-season. He has a good attitude and workrate and he is very tough at the contest and is super quick. When the game was there to be won early on he set the tone. He will be a real good player," Delahunty said.
"Even Coleman Schache and Tim Sanford were solid down back so it was hard to pick the six best players. We would have chosen everyone if we could."
The Thunder had 10 different goal kickers which pleased Delahunty.
"The other pleasing thing is we had a spread of goal kickers which showed we don't rely on one or two so hopefully that creates headaches for opposition coaches," Delahunty said.
The Thunder only have one concern ahead of their round three clash with Simon Clugston getting concussed.
Eagles coach Matt Walder said there is a lot to work on but the signs are there.
"Obviously at quarter time. the game is dead and buried. You can either turn your toes up and compete or keep your heads down and the boys chose to compete," Walder said.
"Things unraveled late in the game and we were playing with 16-17 men on the ground and it was a credit to the boys that they fought to the end.
"Once we sorted out our positioning around the stoppages and stopped their slick ball movement and applied pressure, we were able to play better."
"From a starting point, it's on us and it's not as bad as it seems. It was the first time a lot played with each other and seen each other."
"At the end of the day, we have a lot of building to do and we can fast track that as quick as we can and get that development and improvement happening."
Walder said Riley Morrow off halfback was superb.
"Riley won a lot of one-on-one contests and repelled attacks," Walder said.
"Ryan McKenzie was solid up forward with three goals and Tyson Hunt held his own down back. Machok Garang played in three different positions and once he settled down back he showed something.
"At the end of the day, it was our first look at each other for half of the group and the only way is up."
It was a clean sweep for the Thunder in the other grades.
In the reserves, eight goals to Dean Perkins guided the Thunder to a 16.14.110 to 5.8.38 win. Bailey Watts kicked four goals for the Eagles.
The under-17s had a thrilling four-point win. Led by Oliver Credlin with a best-on-ground performance and two goals to Bronti Effrett, the Thunder won 8.7.55 to 8.3.51.
Zac Mellings and Nicholas Stein kicked two goals for the Eagles with Seth and Levi Keam brilliant across the ground.
The under-14s enjoyed a 7.6.48 to 5.5.35 win. Max Spokes and Maxwell Roberts were brilliant for the Thunder with two goals a-piece whilst Evan George and Thomas Penny also kicked two goals for the Eagles.