Purcell bags 9 in come from behind win
Welcome to yet another edition of Best Battles, where McPherson Media Groups sports journalists have combined to present match reports on past clashes between the footy teams who were originally set to do battle on the weekend.
This week would have seen the Picola & District League play out round 12.
Picola & District
Football League
Berrigan v Jerilderie
Round 14, 2015 at Jerilderie
Jerilderie 15.11 (101) d Berrigan 11.8 (74) An epic comeback had Jerilderie race away with a 27-point win against Berrigan five years ago.
The Demons were sluggish out of the blocks and quickly found themselves chasing tail, with the Saints dominant in the first half in racing to a 20-point lead.
But on their home deck, the Demons were never going to die quietly and kicked six goals to one in the third term, finishing the job off with a quality final quarter to grab the win.
Legend Aaron Purcell kicked nine goals in a standard display of brilliance, with other important Demons Josh Bryce, Andrew May and Nick Keating.
Katunga v Blighty
Round 8, 2019 at Blighty Recreation Reserve
Blighty 16.14 (110) d Katunga 10.7 (67)
A six-goal haul from Katunga’s Dylan Sidebottom was not enough to help his Swans get over the line against Blighty.
In what was Redeyes defender Jack Bunnett’s 100 senior game milestone, Blighty controlled the contest right from the first bounce and strolled home to claim a 43-point drubbing of the Swans.
Having spent many winters apart in different conferences within the Picola league, it was not the performance Katunga was looking to dish up against the Redeyes.
Blighty’s Lachie McDonald and Tyler
Amor-Beale led from the front in the comfortable win, while teammate Tom Billings provided plenty of support. Katamatite v Yarroweyah
Round 8, 2019 at Katamatite
Katamatite 19.16 (130) d Yarroweyah 6.5 (41)
There was simply no stopping Tigers forward Brodie McDonald when the two sides faced off last season.
McDonald was in devastating form with seven majors on his way to 68 goals for the season.
Jayson Bigg, Mark Mills and Jedd Wright helped themselves to three each.
The Tigers only led by 24 points at halftime, but had far too much in the second half, booting 12 goals to two to blow the score right out.
For the Hoppers, Andy Jones led the way with three goals.
Rennie v Mathoura
Semi-final, 2019 at Katamatite
Rennie 17.8 (110) d Mathoura 8.7 (55) Mathoura’s first finals appearance in almost a decade ended in disappointment last year as Rennie made the most of several injuries to the Timbercutters’ stars.
Finding the right match up for Chase Strawhorn proved difficult for Mathoura as he booted eight goals of his own to lead Rennie to the next week of finals.
Duane Rhodes gave the Timbercutters more problems in defence, kicking four of his own.
Alex Brooks and Denver Bruce were among the better players for Rennie.
Meanwhile, Amos Farrell and Stuart Day were best for Mathoura.
Strathmerton v Waaia
Grand final, 2019 at Berrigan Strathmerton 12.15 (87) d Waaia 7.7 (49) The Bulldogs would have been confident of beating Waaia in the big dance after they handed the minor premier its only loss earlier in the season.
Strathmerton, which finished the home and away season second on the ladder, led at every break to record an eventually comfortable 38-point win.
Lance Oswald was a star for the Bulldogs finishing the day with three medals - the AFL Victoria Country and Picola District Football League best-on-ground awards and a premiership medallion.
Oswald also kicked three goals with Connor Hargreaves adding two of his own. Tocumwal v Picola United
Semi-final, 2015 at Strathmerton Tocumwal 19.9 (123) d Picola Utd 14.11 (95)
Tocumwal was far too good for United when the two sides met for the third time in 2015, despite losing the first two outings.
Dylan Flanagan played a big role in ending United’s season with seven goals, while Michael O’Riordan was named among the better players.
Tocumwal also benefited from a wide contribution of goal-kickers with 10 different players hitting the scoreboard.
For Picola, Brad Walker, John Walker and Kodi Hicks all kicked three goals.
‘‘We’ll reload and go around again,’’ United coach Jon Varcoe said after the match.