District sides lay finals foundations
It should be an interesting affair at Apsley this weekend between Edenhope-apsley and Kalkee as the top-two thirds of the ladder start to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
The Saints, who came into 2022 with high expectations on the back of off-season recruitment, have now dropped games against a proving Noradjuha-quantong last week and a big-bodied Jeparit-rainbow in round two.
The Bombers got the better of the Saints all day on Saturday and led at every change, with Noradjuha-quantong’s Trent Grant and Brock Orval combining for nine goals to clear the Saints 14.11 (95) to 10.7 (67).
The result would have disappointed a Saints side which welcomes Kalkee to Apsley this week for another opportunity to prove their top-of-the-table merits.
The Kees, a side with heavy-hitting potential, would hope a trip west is not a probing one.
Rupanyup would have fancied itself at Kalkee on Saturday, but poor onegoal first and third quarters cost them dearly.
The Kees’ 13.11 (89) was too much in the end for the Panthers, with 9.12 (66).
The Rams welcomed Swifts to their
showground and got out of the blocks early for an eight goal to two-point, 46-point lead at quarter time, until the tables turned and Swifts dealt their own seven-goal-to-nothing punishment in the second.
Ultimately, the bullish Swifts cruised to an 82-point win, 21.20 (146) to 10.4 (64).
Jeparit-rainbow was not kind to Laharum, handing the Mountain Men a 124-point loss, 22.13 (145) to 3.3 (21). A depleted Laharum list met a Storm side that hit the goals accurately all day. Jay Kirkwood and Peter Weir were the main culprits, adding 11 between them.
Kaniva-leeor United saved its best until last to break free from Taylors Lake in the last quarter.
The Cougars led by only four points at the final change before a five-goalto-two spell ended Taylors Lake’s chance for its first 2022 season win.
Harrow-balmoral was too much for Pimpinio after a massive nine-goal second quarter set the Southern Roos up for the match. The Southern Roos claimed the premiership points 20.20 (140) to 7.8 (48).
Pimpinio will leap out of the fire and into a Noradjuha-quantong match-up at Pimpinio this week in what should be a chance for the Bombers to pocket crucial early season wins.
Ditto Harrow-balmoral, which heads to Dock Lake Recreation Reserve for a meeting with Taylors Lake.
Rupanyup has a chance to challenge Swifts this week, having cruised into top-spot on the ladder with little resistance other than a first-quarter Rams test.
The Panthers welcome the Swifts north to Rupanyup for the match.
Laharum and Natimuk United should test each other this week, with it being the Rams’ turn to head to Cameron Oval for their first of two clashes this season.
Meanwhile, Jeparit-rainbow will host Kaniva-leeor at Rainbow on Saturday, which should see the Storm continue its march back to the pointy end of the ladder.