Hoppers claim Goldman Cup
An overcast day greeted the Hoppers as they ventured to Katamatite to take on the Tigers.
Playing for the Andrew Goldman Cup, the locals opened with a slight breeze.
The Hoppers were getting first use of the ball with McQualter and Fountain setting up play, Kitchen running hard on his wing and coach Haley setting up from half back. Going in down by 6, Rennie started term 2 strongly as Barker and Strawhorn were a forward presence and O'Dwyer took control at half back.
Hoppers by 3 at the long break. Term 3 and Rennie clicked into gear with 4 unanswered goals as Coghill at half back, Ridley on his wing, and Sudholz continued to dominate.
Coach Haley asked for his team to keep delivering and in a gutsy final stanza they hung fat to record a quality 25-point win.
Strawhorn grabbed 4, McQualter and Coghill 2 each for the hoppers.
Awards: Best Players: Cam Sudholz, Mark McQualter and Jarryd Fountain.
Award winners sponsored by Woods Bus Lines: Dillon Kirchen and Harry Barker.
Reserves
Katamatite 3.3.21 def by Rennie 9.10.64.
With an undermanned side, the Reserves travelled to Katamatite to take on the Tigers.
The boys played brilliantly despite wet and windy conditions. Jeremy Hayes and Matt Wilson were smart and skilful with the ball down back.
Ben James and Jasper Danielson won the ball everytime they went near it.
Marcus VanMaanen and Leon Wolfe were strong in the air up forward, both hitting the scoreboard.
The boys will have a well-deserved break as Rennie Awards: have Cellarbrations the bye next week. - Ben James, Lake Mulwala Bakery - Jeremy Hayes, Yarrawonga Hotel - Jasper Danielson, ClubMulwala - Matt Wilson and Shayne Stiles Roofing - Marcus Van Maanen.
Thirds
Katamatite 6.6.42 def by Rennie 8.8.56.
The Hoppers came flying out of the gates, making the most of the wind advantage to bang on 5 goals in the first quarter.
Another 2 in the second to go into halftime with a 6-goal lead, with Ollie Cope and Baz Lewis kicking a couple of goals each.
The second half was a different story, as the Hoppers' fast start looked to be taking its toll and Katty started to hit the scoreboard.
But the boys managed to hold their nerve in a tense last quarter to hold off Katty to the tune of 14 points.
Awards: Murray Valley Rural Services -Declan Wood, Paternoster Farms -Bradley Burrows, Wingates -Tuari Jones, C & T RhodesCaleb Bruce and Woods Bus Lines - Oliver Bruce.
Fourths Katamatite 1.0.6 def by Rennie 15.9.99.
Awards: Kennedy Builders - Kasey Magro, STF Engineering - Finn Wood, Border Concrete Plumbing - Charlie Bourke, Red Ag - Nixon Nunn and Lake Mulwala Bakery - Blair Strawhorn.
Under 11s
The little Hoppers had a convincing win over the Katty Tigers with Hugo Bott strong in defence and Tom Hemphill getting the ball from the packs.
Judd Long and Jack Bruce were dominant around the ground keeping the ball forward with Ed Withers bagging 3 goals. The Oughton brothers worked well together controlling the ball well out of the centre.
It was a great team effort with all players getting involved keeping the Tigers scoreless 33 to 0.
Awards: RedAg - Hugo Bott, Oughton irrigation -Tom Hemphill, Eternal Paws - Judd Long and Lake Mulwala Bakery- Jack Bruce.
Keep the date free, Saturday May 27 which is 1983 premiership reunion day.
No footy this weekend with a bye but the club will see you all at Bull Plain Rd on April 29 v Picola.