Bombers soar towards finals
Noradjuha-quantong is in an excellent position to earn its first Horsham District league finals berth in eight years after a stirring win against Jeparit-rainbow at the weekend.
The Bombers’ last taste of finals action was an elimination final loss to Swifts in 2011, but Saturday’s 11.10 (76) to 6.8 (44) defeat of the Storm has the team’s supporters dreaming of the post-season again.
After a goalless first term from both sides the Bombers put paid to visitors in the second with six goals to one, opening up a 32-point lead that was never seriously threatened in the second half.
Zane Batson blanketed Storm goal-kicking ace Peter Weir, holding him goalless for the first time this season.
Veteran Jason Kerr was again prolific while Riley Dunlop played one of his best games since joining the Bombers’ senior ranks last year.
The win was made all the more impressive by the absence of star midfielder Nathan Byrne and team-leading goal kicker Shane Oakley.
Liam Preston and Brad Hunter were the best on what was a dismal day for Jeparit-rainbow.
The Bombers leapfrogged ailing Kalkee with the win after the Kees were
defeated 15.13 (103) to 6.12 (48) by Edenhope-apsley.
A strong wind saw 20 of the game’s 21 goals kicked at one end of the ground, but it was the Saints who were able to use it best.
Lachie Middleton, Bart Nolan and Loxton recruit Ryan Grey helped surge the ball forward, where Matt Butler, four goals, and George Walker, five, finished off their good work.
Outside runners Louis Papst and Jasper Gunn were among Kalkee’s best, but the team could not win enough of the football to stay in the game.
Kalkee now faces an uphill battle to play finals, with matches against Laharum, Jeparit-rainbow and Natimuk United to come.
Pimpinio, buoyed by its first win of the season against Laharum in round 13, was soundly defeated by Swifts but showed glimpses of the improvements it has made this year.
The Tigers won the second quarter of the 16.7 (103) to 4.3 (27) loss, with John Dumesny, Tom Arthur and Dylan and Daniel Baker standing tall.
Ryan Folkes continued his excellent season for the Baggies with three goals and Zach Salmi was in scintillating form with five. Defender Jakob Davis was also among the Baggies’ best.
Top side Harrow-balmoral made short work of Rupanyup, cantering to a 23.17 (155) to 4.5 (29) win at Harrow.
Hamish Ellis, Eric Guthrie and Cody Deutscher were named in the Roos’ best and each finished with multiple goals.
For the Panthers, ruckman Tim Tyler and midfielder Elliot Kelly formed a strong tandem.
The Roos will play a top-of-the-ladder showdown against Edenhope-apsley at Apsley on Saturday, while Rupanyup will enjoy its second bye of the season.
In other matches, Natimuk United will host traditional rival Noradjuha-quantong, Swifts will be at home to Taylors Lake, Pimpinio will travel to Rainbow to face the Storm and Laharum will meet Kalkee at Cameron Oval.