There were some one sided results in Great Flinders on the weekend with Tumby Bay cruising to a dominate win over Elliston Districts, Cougars notched their first win of the year comfortably against Eyre United and Lock overcame a determined Ramblers to keep themselves in the hunt for the double chance.
Tumby Bay travelled to Elliston to take on the home side in cool but reasonable conditions for footy in an important game for both sides. There were key players missing on each side of the ledger, but it was the depth and class of the Blues that shone through to see them score a big win against the Roosters. Josh Cave in his 300th A grade game led his side on to the oval, and his team mates didn’t let him down early as they took some early control through Lawrie and McLeod in the midfield and the McDonald twins were causing plenty of concern at either end of the ground. Lee and Guerin were working overtime for their side, but the signs were ominous early with Foster and Hartwig proving solid targets up forward. The second quarter was all class form the visitors as they piled on 8 goals to one to all but put the game to bed. Lawrie and the classy McLeod were dominating through the midfield, their backline led by Walker and Miller were stopping everything and they found plenty of options up forward resulting in some easy goals. Riley Carter kicked a late goal to lift his side, but the margin had blown out to 59 points at the long break with Tumby Bay well on top.
The dominance continued in the third although Van Doorn and Rosalia were finding plenty of it, they just could not penetrate a tight knit Tumby Bay defence. The Blues added a further 7 goals for the quarter and were dominating the contest all over the ground with Higgins, Gerrie, McDonald and Miller all making valuable contributions. The final quarter became a struggle as the Roosters bottled the game up making scoring difficult, but the height of Jack McDonald became important late as he added 2 last quarter goals. It was an impressive performance from the Blues and with several key players to return in coming weeks they look well positioned for a genuine tilt at finals action. The return of McLeod and Whitelaw was important, they are both genuine quality, the McDonald twins dominated across the ground, and Higgins, Hartwig, Miller and Lawrie were all valuable contributors. Cooper Van Doorn worked tirelessly for the Roosters, Rosalia was classy, and Gibson, Horgan and Lee all had some good moments in a tough day for the home side.
In the second game Cougars gave their supporters a rare highlight in season 2023, recording their first win for the season against Eyre United at Ungarra. They started the game strongly and looked on a mission as Jack Green got them on the board early and Turnbull kicked a great goal off the ground to have them up and about. They kicked 6 goals for the quarter with Green, Laube and Phelps all well on top and restricted the home side to just 1 point for the quarter. To the Saints credit they were able to tighten up in the second managing to kick 2 goals and keep Cougars to just the one as Vlassco and Luke Forrest lifted to keep their side in the hunt. Cougars took a 33 point lead in to the long break but the momentum had somewhat shifted and the Saints had worked themselves back in to the contest. It was however to be short lived as Cougars produced their best quarter of football for the year to pile on 8 goals and completely dominate the contest. The return of star Brad Hazelgrove was instrumental in their performance, Phelps was leading by example and the Turnbull boys were finding plenty of the footy across the ground. The Saints simply had no answers for a rampant Cougars side who has their tails up and playing with some genuine cohesion and confidence. The game was done at 3 quarter time, but to Eyre United's credit they fought back strongly to win the final quarter adding 5 goals and restricting the visitors to 3, but the damage had already been done. It was an impressive performance from Cougars and a stark turn around from their earlier clash against the Saints this year. Jack Green was outstanding for his side, Laube and Phelps prolific and Charlie and Henry Turnbull found plenty of it while Hazelgrove was valuable in his return booting 4 goals. For the Saints, none were better than Luke Forrest, Vlassco, Butler, Tom Forrest were good and Webb and Johnston did some good things throughout the game.
In the final game Lock kept their top 2 chances alive with a determined 23 point win over Ramblers in a low scoring affair at Cummins Oval. The game started in tough fashion with neither side giving an inch and the trade mark dour defensive efforts of both sides was well and truly on show as scoring proved difficult. Just 3 goals were kicked for the quarter with the intensity from both sides impressive. Haarsma and Franklin were in everything for the home side early, while Casey Beard and Doug Pearce were dominating for the visitors. The Magpies started the 2nd quarter strongly and began to move the ball more freely as they added 3 goals and looked impressive with Bullard and Pedler showing some class at times, while for the Roo’s Kory Beard was beginning to assert his authority on the contest with several strong marks and Morton was doing some strong work at the stoppages. Ramblers took a slight 2 point margin in to the long break after an impressive quarter and the game was well and truly up for grabs. Lock came out strongly in the third, Beard was dominating in the air and Pearce and Crosby had lifted and Hetzel was his usual dangerous self up forward. They kicked 3 unanswered goals for the quarter and if not for the efforts of Dennis and Dobbins, the 17 point margin could have been greater at the final change. With plenty on the line for both sides, the last quarter was all set for a gripping finish, but it was the Roo’s who were able to hold sway and keep their noses in front despite some desperate efforts from the home side. In the end Lock ran out 23 point winners but it was a tight contest all day with neither side giving an inch. Casey and Kory Beard were both outstanding for the winners, Morton strong all day and Doug Pearce, Sam Pearce and Crosby were all valuable contributors to their win. For Ramblers Will Haarsma was once again their best player, Franklin and Dennis impressive, Bullard, Dobbins and Crettenden handy and Jack Fitz did some crafty things at times.
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