A Dane Swan inspired Elliston Districts made it back to back wins with a big win against Cougars at Poochera on the weekend, Ramblers had a percentage boosting win against Eyre United, and United Yeelanna enhanced their firm premiership favoritism with a solid performance against fellow contender Lock to round out the weekend matches in Great Flinders Football.
All roads led to Poochera on the weekend as Collingwood and AFL Legend Dane Swan lined up for the Roosters in their game against Cougars. It was Cougars who started the game best, using the ball well and finding their teammates to score early, but it was Elliston Districts who responded quickly slamming on 7 first quarter goals with Gibson, Swan and Kenny causing havoc for the Cougars defenders. The second quarter started in a competitive fashion with Henry Turnbull finding plenty of it for his side, but they had no answers for the class of Rosalia and the cool head of Gregory in defence. A highlight of the quarter was the midfield clash between Mail Medallist Matt Williams and Cougars youngster Ryan Hazelgrove who were both working tirelessly in their roles. The game was put to bed by half time with the Roosters holding 85 point lead at the main break although inaccuracy in front of goal was hurting them. They continued theirt dominance in the third quarter with Rosalia and Swan forming a dangerous duo up forward, Kelsh was dominating in the ruck and Gregory and Bascomb solid in defence. Phelps, Green and Turnbull were working overtime for their side, but they simply had no answers for the class of the Roosters forwards and onball division. The final quarter fizzed out to some degree with Elliston Districts adding a further 3 goals to their tally and were again able to restrict Cougars scoring to just 1 point. It was a one sided affair all day as Cougars tough season continued, but another impressive performance by the Roosters as they recorded back to back wins and starting to gather some momentum heading towards the second half of the year. Cooper Van Doorn was outstanding for the winners, Rosalia and Swan booted 9 between them, and Bascomb, Guerin, Greegory and Kelsh all played valuable roles. For Cougars youngster Henry Turnbull played a great game, Adam and Jack Green battled hard, as did Jay Green, Mahoney and Freeth in a tough day for their side.
In the second game Ramblers scored a big win over Eyre United although they didn’t get it all their own way against a plucky Saints side who had some moments. Ramblers opened the game kicking with the breeze, but it was Eyre United who kicked the first via Brett Doley who wound back the clock with a left foot snap goal. Jimmy Richardson replied quickly for Ramblers with a set shot goal from 55 with the breeze, and Tom Cretty quickly followed this up after swooping on the ball and swung around from outside 50 to put ramblers second goal on the board. They continued the onslaught through some great goals from Langley and Treloar to take a 5 goal lead in to the first term. Langley set the tone early with a courageous mark running with the flight to goal, but Nathan Peters responded twice in a row for the Saints to bring them back in to the contest. Toby Modra kicked truly late in the quarter to steady the ship for Ramblers as they led by 31 points at the main break. The Magpies broke the game open early in the third with Langley goaling again in the first minute and then veteran George Pedler bobbed up to kick back to back goals to give his side a big lead. Langley added his third for the quarter, followed by another from Tom Crettenden as Ramblers took complete control of the contest. Peters bobbed up again for the Saints to give the scoreboard some respectability and youngster Ethan Pugsley was finding plenty of the ball against the tide along with Will Turner. With the game all but over at 3 quarter time, Ramblers were able to add a further 4 goals in the last to the Saints 1 to run out comfortable 84 point winners. Will Haarsma was outstanding in the midfield and must be racking up some Mail Medal votes, Buchanan was important with his ball use, and Langley (5 goals), Modra, Parsons and youngster Tyler Langley were all good for the winners. For the Saints Luke Forrest led by example all day, Pugsley and Turner played well beyond their years, and Peters, Butler and Johnston all had moments.
In the final game and match of the round, United Yeelanna made light work of Lock at Karkoo Oval running out easy 75 point winners in the end in an impressive display. They opened the game strongly kicking 5 goals in the first quarter after having 14 scoring shots, but more importantly were able to restrict Lock to just the one goal. Xavier Watson started the game impressively giving his forwards plenty of opportunity and Norton and Carr were impressive in defence. The second quarter proved a bit of an arm wrestle with just 2 goals kicked for the quarter and both defences on top, but the Eagles again wasted some opportunities in front of goal. They managed to break the game open in the second half, putting the foot down to kick 5 unanswered goals with Watson and Maxfield dominating the midfield, while Luke Durdin and the Kay boys worked hard for their side in tough conditions. The game was put to bed at 3 quarter time and with the game well and truly in control, The Eagles went through the motions in the final term to add a further 3 goals although the scoreboard reading 13.21 would have been some concern for the coaching staff as they butchered some opportunities in front of goal. It was however an impressive performance as they continue on their merry way in season 2023 – Xavier Watson was back to his best in the middle, Dyer outstanding and Agars, Maxfield, Norton and Carr all had great games. For the Roo’s Andy Hetzel was again his sides best player, Durdin good in defence and Aaron Beard, the Kay brothers and Declan Allan all battled hard for their side who were again undermanned.
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