A big thankyou to Star EP identity Emma Pedler for the photos here
1. Remi North looking to shake off Matt Bascomb's flying tackle. in comes Andrew Mc Leod to add support to the Rooster cause.
2. Fraser Dougalss gets his kick away despite the attention coming from Jay Williams
3. Rob Pickett change in direction makes it hard for defender Darryl Marshall. Rob handled the wet ball as if was a dry day
4. Remi North flys for the mark from behind
5. "There must be warmer places to spend a Saturday afternoon!" Future champion Henry Petty does his best to stay warm.
The penultimate round and the rain finally arrived, wet weather football not what we are used to way out west, but most players handled the conditions well.
Elliston found some great late season form with a stirring win over the Magpies at home, plenty of old timers on hand with the 20th year 1995 premiership reunion, the crowd found plenty of voice as there was never any significant margin in the game to the very end, Elliston kicking the last two of the match to scoot clear by 14 points after being down earlier in the last quarter. Sadly coach Chad Fleming needed a trip to hospital to deal with a dislocated shoulder, but other than that, a complete team effort, Chad will be sore but very pleased. Roosters well served again by Jay Williams, outstanding form at the moment, great in the air, on the ground, evasive. He couldn’t stand out more even with a better haircut and shave! Matt Bascomb continues with his excellent work of recent weeks and has been a revelation on the ball, hard, tough and skilful. Andrew McLeod, hasn’t played many games but a classy unit, the wet and slippery football made little difference to his superb ball handling. Jack Carter ruled the backlines, Troy Phillips, Ross Bascomb, Adam Green all had big days out, Jordan Newton welcomed back for a quick visit, four goals and enjoyed the run with his old club. Many good players and no passengers with the red and white.
The Maggies left Elliston empty handed but acquitted themselves well in tough conditions. Henry Zwar was everywhere, tough and brave he just bangs in time after time. Ian Jericho an excellent aerial target, but his tackling and ground work is outstanding. Matt Greatbatch won the hard ball all day and worked hard for four quarters, Remi North also in the middle put his body on the line, Sam Buckham across half back, Eugene Wauchope rucked admirably, been a while since he has done that, Neil Seaman hard running, Derek Williams strong body and passion for the contest, Scott Williams, a handy three goals and always dangerous. The visitor change rooms at Elliston could well do with a repaint, as the current paint will have blistered following coach Zwar’s post game, less than quiet assessment to his charges.
Wudinna United meet a Western Districts outfit playing much better football in the last half of the season, the Magpies desperately needing to raise some form pre finals. The second half of the season has seen many changes in the Maggies line up and therefore it has been hard to work the same structures that they started the season so successfully with. The Districts side are a danger game, Tigers will be looking to finalise their season on a high, and always play the Wudinna Oval well. Will be a close one, maybe the Maggies at home
Bombers and Tigers met head on at Poochera, but the Tigers had fewer answers against the stronger Wirrulla bodies, the Bombers cruising to an eight goal win, winning each quarter of the match. A quick return to the winners circle just what coach Kessell is looking for.
Leading the way again, Jarden Stoetzer, injury issues well behind him now it appears, he looms as a huge danger to finals opposition, he is just so hard to contain, Simon Webb, another highly productive game, Jason Henderson, either on the ball back or occasionally forward, he just works so hard, Yanni Kozminski in the ruck or marking up forward enjoying one of the seasons of his career, Ryan Watson, big possession winner, and hard competitor all day. The Tigers will be happy with the form of speedster Braydn Hedley King over the past few weeks, his run and carry is outstanding, he breaks games open. Scotty Feltus, again and again, bottom of the packs, work work work! Joseph Williams Angus Gunn and Charlie Williams all in the best. Districts season has been punctuated with so many games that they have come close, but just not quite, football can be a cruel game, those close losses will mean an early end to 2015.
The Bombers turn their attention to the Mighty Hawks next week, at the hanger too, so a good showing is a must. The Hawks are the measure to know where a team is at. Bombers chance to perform on the big stage is here and now! The Hawks are a settled unit, poised and confident as their favourite time of year looms, Kelshy back in the middle, Montgomeries everywhere, all fit and firing, very hard to find any weak spots in the team for a focus by their opposition. Wirrulla are also now coming very close to full strength, great forward abilities but will they be able to restrict that hard running Hawks scoring?
Hawks smacked the slow starting 'Dogs at the Bay, nine goals to one at the half time break and pride only available from thereafter for the Bulldogs. Some of that pride was salvaged in the third quarter, but the result had already been sealed. Errors accross the ground resulted in costly turnovers for the Central boys, and not an opponent to be giving the ball up to! Regroup and reassess quickly at Centrals, they will meet their Hawk nemisis again at the second semi, and not much time to ponder on this match. Leading the way for West Coasters, Jake Mc Evoy, fantastic target and quick off the mark, Dylan Kelsh first match back and showing no ill effects of the ankle, straight back at his best and eager for more, Kirk Montgomerie is in outstanding form, not finding the goals this week for a change, but his drive, enthusiasm and disposal skill is what the Hawks are all about. Travis Brown enjoying a great season, either in the air, ground work, forward or back. Steed Sutherland back in the line up adds height and marking strength, Dillon and Dale Montgomerie elusive.
Centrals again led by Kane Sampson, looking like he can play for many more years, and repelling attacks regularly. Big season from him and he is still a key mover in the Bulldogs side. Jake Bruce tried his heart out, and looked damaging, Martin Grocke a rock in defense and Keenan Bury another good game, certainly underlining his hard ball winning ability. The 'Dogs wont he happy in what was the match of the round billing, but dont write these fellas off, they are a dangerous high scoring side in full flight
Bulldogs take on the Roosters at Kyancutta, very tough road trip for Red and Whites. Kyancutta is such a productive home ground for the Centrals side, they are coming off a disappointing loss (snarl!), and will want momentum going into finals. Roosters lifted admirably this week, stirred along with so many past legends present, but always harder on the road, particularly with several players unlikely to re front next week. The ‘Dogs will start favourite here, too much a stake not to grab this game and shake it!
Summaries of the round follow
Last Modified on 03/08/2015 18:52