Football
19 August, 2024
Wickham's eleven goals guide Swifts to huge win
Cameron Wickham and Paul Summers kicked 11 and 10 goals, respectively, as the Swifts defeated Natimuk by 136 points at North Park in round 18 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The Rams brought up the fight to the Swifts early, trailing by 12 points at quarter-time. The Swifts, however, blew the game open in the second quarter, kicking seven goals to one to lead by 54 points at half-time.
Nine goals in the third quarter extended the lead to 99 points at the final break before they ran out 30.15.195 to 9.5.59 winners.
Chevy Elliott, Andrew Cameron, Jesse Galea-Portelli, and Liam Scott were also among the best for the Swifts.
Kaiden Sudholz, Cody Frizon, Kyah Wilkinson, Archie Sudholz, Matt Bellinger, and Craig Britten were among the best for the Rams.
Swifts coach Brett Hargreaves said it was good to head into the finals on the back of a big win.
"Winning form is good form, and you want to know that you are playing good footy coming into the finals and coming out to play like we did in the second quarter, which gives everyone the belief that we are ready," Hargreaves said.
"It was good to see Cameron kick 11 goals because over the last month, we have tried to tweak his role and changed how he goes about it as we need other avenues to go, and it's important that it has worked."
Kalkee close out the season on a winning note
Kalkee has concluded their season with a thrilling eight-point win over Taylors Lake at Kalkee Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Lakers were hot early, kicking four goals to two to lead by 13 points at quarter-time. Kalkee bounced back in the second to peg the margin back to seven points at half-time.
The third quarter was tight, with neither team giving an inch. At the last break, the Lakers led by a slender five points.
In front of their home crowd, with past premiership players watching on, the Kees found an extra effort in the last, kicking four goals to two to win 11.8.74 to 10.6.66.
Isaiah Adams kicked three goals for the Kees in a best-on-the-ground performance, with Deacan Campbell, Matt Nield, Matthew Magee, Aiden Richardson, and Luke Byrne among their best.
Billy Finnigan, Bray Cullinan, Thomas Clugston, Matthew White, Koby Westerland, and Michael Graham were among the best for the Lakers.
The Kees celebrated their 1974 and 1994 seniors and reserves football premiership reunions, alongside netball's 1974 A-grade, 1984 A and B-grade, and 2004 A and B-grade.
Kalkee co-coach Steve Schultz said he emphasised the premiership reunions at three-quarter-time.
"We had a few past players there, and I told them that the effort was there and that we need to get over the line for the crowd, and the boys responded," Schultz said.
"We have finished the season off well, and it is pleasing that everyone gave it a good crack. Everyone was up and about, and it was an enjoyable day to get over the line.
"Isaiah Adams was brilliant. He can play anywhere, and yesterday he played half-back, but then as we were struggling to kick goals, we played him up forward, and he made the difference there."
Demons thrash the Saints
Laharum will enter the finals series in good form following a 98-point victory over Edenhope Apsley at Cameron Oval.
The Demons came out fast, kicking six goals to lead by 34 points at quarter-time. The second quarter was a bit tighter, with Laharum extending it to 40 at the main break.
The Demons put the afterburners on in the third, kicking five goals to one to lead by 66 points at the final break before adding another five goals to nil in the last to run out 18.10.118 to 2.8.20 winners.
Demons co-coach Shannon Argall said it was a good shakedown for the finals.
"They are a good side, and they were particularly great early in the season and did test us at Edenhope, so we weren't going into it lightly. I am pleased with the performance of the team," Argall said.
Bombers second half blows Tigers away
A 12-goal second half saw Noradjuha Quantong run out 69-point winners over Pimpinio at the Pimpinio Recreation Reserve.
The game was tight early, with the Bombers taking an eight-point lead into quarter-time with only three goals scored.
In the second, the Tigers stayed with them with Matthew Rosier everywhere, as they reduced the margin to six points at the main break.
In the third quarter, the Bombers kicked seven goals to one to extend their margin to an unbeatable 45-point lead at the main break.
The Tigers could only manage one more goal in the last as the Bombers added another five to win 15.13.103 to 5.4.34.
Judah Hobbs and Dylan Shelley both kicked four goals a piece for the Bombers, with Harley Pope, Wade Francis, Riley Dunlop, Nigel Kelly, and Zachary Kelly among their best.
Matthew Rosier was the standout for the Tigers, scoring two goals, countless possessions, and providing strong leadership. Keegan King, Mackay Baker, Jordan Barnett, Dylan Bates, and Daniel Baker were also among the Tigers' best.
Bombers coach Damian Cameron said the team expected a tough clash and was thrilled they came out after half-time with the game style they wanted to play.
"They had a lot to play for after the previous week, and they fought hard and took it to us," Cameron said.
"In the second half, we started winning the ball around the stoppages and contest, pressured them out of it, and to turn it around the way we did was brilliant.
"In the second half, we had someone to go Matt [Rosier], but not in a full tagging role, as he was dangerous, especially inside 50."
Southern Roos make a statement
After being challenged by Laharum last week, the Southern Roos came out and made a statement, defeating fellow finals team Rupanyup by 114 points at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve.
The Southern Roos were relentless in the first half, keeping the Panthers to a solitary goal while kicking eight themselves to lead by 54 points at half-time.
The Panthers could only manage two goals in the third, as the Southern Roos were dominant. They kicked five more to lead by 76 at three-quarter-time.
The Southern Roos didn't stop there, holding the Panthers scoreless in the last while adding another five goals, eight behinds to win 18.26.134 to 3.2.20.
Nick Pekin kicked a game-high four goals, with Matt Jones, William Plush, Ethan Appleton, Jai Thompson, and Scott Addinsall among the best.
Bill Hansen led the Panthers in the midfield, with Tom Arthur, Brayden Ison, Joshua Bolitho, Charlie Taylor, and Blake Downer their best players.