A tumultuous round of footy
Many Horsham district footballers would hope for a smoother round of competition on Saturday, as the midpoint of the 2022 season approaches.
It was a tumultuous weekend of football in Horsham District Football Netball League, as COVID-19 scares and a half-played match accompanied three 100-plus-point losses.
Before the weekend’s matches got underway it became clear COVID-19 was localised in several small towns.
Football teams with diminished lists included Jeparit-rainbow and Natimuk United.
A severe leg injury during a reserves game at Balmoral caused the abandonment of half a senior football match between Kaniva-leeor United and Harrow-balmoral.
The two senior teams had to shorten their round-five bout to give an emergency helicopter space to land between the arcs.
But despite the interruption, the Southern Roos still got the better of the Cougars during the two-quarter affair and claimed the four points, 10.11 (71) to 1.4 (10).
Kalkee managed to take advantage of Jeparit-rainbow’s situation, even if only just, to claim a six-point win over the Storm, at Kalkee.
Three goals from Kees’ Ben Lawson proved pivotal for Kalkee in the low-scoring game, while another fivegoal bag from big forward Peter Weir kept the Storm in the hunt all day.
Edenhope-apsley blew Natimuk United out of the water early with a seven-goal-to-none opening quarter, but sadly for the Rams the punishment did not end there.
The Saints piled on 31 goals by the end of the game to the Rams’ seven to set a monstrous score of 21.15 (201) to the Rams’ 7.6 (48).
Saints forward Matthew Butler took no pity on a depleted Natimuk to score a rarely reached 20 goals, a onegame goal total some might hope they would never see again in Horsham district league.
A young Laharum kept its nose in touch during a battle with third-placed Noradjuha-quantong.
The Bombers’ well-drilled defensive zone locked the ball in its forward fifty for repeat shots at goal all day, but the quick ball speed of the Mountain Men at times caught the Bombers on the run. The Bombers got the job done in the end and claimed the win 12.17 (89) to 8.9 (57).
Rupanyup handed Pimpinio its third heavy loss in a row, with a 24.21 (165) to 8.9 (57) result.
The Panthers’ powerful second quarter and dominant third quarter ensured the four points were wrapped up by three-quarter time.
Jack Musgrove, nine goals, Brayden Ison, four, and Mitchell Glesson, four, dealt most of the damage and shared the spoils of the Panthers’ 24 goals.
It was a similar story for Taylors Lake, which was at the mercy of Swifts all day at North Park, Stawell.
Swifts’ eight-goal-to-nothing last quarter sealed the win, the final result 21.17 (143) to 4.2 (26).
As round six approaches this weekend, Harrow-balmoral would expect to maintain its unbeaten streak as it faces Natimuk at Harrow reserve.
As would Noradjuha-quantong, which heads to Kaniva to meet Kaniva-leeor.
If Jeparit-rainbow hits this weekend with a full-strength side, its match against Swifts should be the round’s most interesting dual.
The Storm will be eager to make up for last week and re-engage with the league’s leading sides, and given its capacity for good quality football, a battle against a strong Swifts outfit would be a good game for spectators with no dog in the fight.
Laharum has shown its ability, in glimpses this year, and would hope for a strong showing against Kalkee at Cameron Reserve.
Rupanyup will eye another percentage-point boost against a struggling Taylors Lake.
Ditto Edenhope-apsley, who would hope for a win against an up and down Pimpinio at Pimpinio on Saturday. This week: Harrow-balmoral v Natimuk United, Harrow; Kaniva-leeor United v Noradjuha-quantong; Laharum v Kalkee; Jeparit-rainbow v Swifts, Jeparit; Taylors Lake v Rupanyup; Pimpinio v Edenhope-apsley. Last week: Rupanyup 24.21 (165) d Pimpinio 8.9 (57), Swifts 21.17 (143) d Taylors Lake 4.2 (26), Kalkee 9.14 (68) d Jeparit-rainbow 9.8 (62), Noradjuha-quantong 12.17 (89) d Laharum 8.9 (57), Harrow-balmoral 10.11 (71) d Kaniva-leeor 1.1 (10), Edenhopeapsley 31.15 (201) d Natimuk United 7.6 (48).