United Yeelanna continued their impressive start to season 2024 with a big win over Eyre United with the Crettenden boys bagging 20 goals between them, Lock had a dominant win over Cougars to suggest they are a serious contender this year, and Ramblers held on for a tight 14 point win against Tumby Bay at Cummins.
Ramblers did enough against Tumby Bay in what was the usual dour low scoring tough game that these 2 sides seem to always produce in recent times.
Harlee Chandler was explosive early from the middle as Ramblers held most of the play but missed some opportunities in front of goal. Jackson Murphy began to assert some authority on the game and was able to drive Tumby forward where Degner got on the end of a couple to put 2 quick ones on the board for the Blues and see them in front. The Magpies responded strongly though through Richardson who was proving a real target for his side to take 22 point lead in to quarter time. The second quarter was a real arm wrestle early, but via some midfield dominance via Murphy and McLeod, and the move of James up forward, the Blues slammed on 4 unanswered goals to trail by just 8 points at half time.
The third quarter was an important one, but was a clinical display by the Ramblers side defensively restricting Tumby Bay to just 1 point while adding a further 3 goals to their tally. Buchannon, Chandler and Bullard had lifted in the middle and Bilney and Richardson continued to be dangerous up forward. The McDonald boys and Lachy Gale were working overtime for Tumby Bay as the Magpies took a game high 27 point lead in to the final change. The Blues kicked an early major through Sumner to give them some momentum, Hartwig and Degner had lifted and Murphy continued to find plenty of it but Tom Crettenden iced the game with a late major following some strong in and under work from the tenacious Claughton.
It was a tough contest that Ramblers looked like winning all day – Bilney was excellent for the winners with 5 goals an important haul, Toby Modra, Chandler and Bullard all important contributors and Claughton and Richardson also solid. For Tumby Bay Jackson Murphy was again their best, James and Degner prominent up forward and Gale and McLeod useful over 4 quarters.
A well oiled United Yeelanna proved far too strong for Eyre United as predicted, running out big winners to the tune of 144 points. The game opened quickly for the Eagles as they banged on 2 quick goals to set the scene as Murnane, Martin and Watson dominated the midfield with their impressive ball use. The first 4 goals of the game went the Eagles way via the Crettenden brothers as they opened up an early 37 point lead at the first change. Tom Forrest was battling tirelessly in the ruck, but the footy smarts of Watson and Martin was on show as they continued to win the clearances which was making life difficult for an under fire Saints defence. United Yeelanna’s ball use was brilliant at both ends of the ground and they were relentless to pile on 9 unanswered goals for the quarter to have the game all but over at half time leading by 93 points.
They continued this dominance after half time with a 10 goal quarter which was largely on the back of 5 from Matt Crettenden who relished plenty of supply from Casey Carr and Martin who were racking up plenty of touches around the ground. The Saints were able to hit the scoreboard with 3 goals for the quarter but it was all one way traffic again. The sting had gone out of the game in the final quarter which saw a much more even contest as Hanneman and Johnson managed to add a further 3 goals for the Saints, while the Eagles added a further 4 goals to give them a big win over the home side.
Matt Crettenden was outstanding for the winners booting 11 goals to take his season tally to 24 in 3 games, Adam Murnane continued his good form, Matta and Steve Crettenden solid with 9 majors between them and Carr, Jolly and Watson all solid contributors. For the Saints none were better than Tom Forrest who battled manfully in the ruck against the odds, Jonno Forest was good and Bates, Hanneman, Telfer and Stratford all had moments throughout the game.
In the final game Lock sent a message to the rest of the competition that they are a genuine threat in 2024 with a polished display over Cougars running out big winners at home to the tune of 116 points. Their ball movement was impressive early with Morton and Glover on top in the midfield and Trav Beard kicking 2 early majors. Their pressure was a highlight causing several turnovers by Cougars and Luke Durdin was all class setting up several attacks forward. The second quarter was the Roo’s best for the day as they slammed on 8 majors and kept Cougars to just the one in an impressive defensive display. Kory Beard dominated proceedings up forward booting 4 off his own boot for the quarter as Glover continued to rack up plenty of possessions through the midfield. Josh Horgan was working tirelessly for his side and Henry Turnbull impressive beyond his years but they had no answers for the class of the home side.
Cougars were able to lift early in the second half and were able to apply more pressure, but weight of numbers was against them as Lock continued to grow their lead and impressively were able to find several avenues to goal via Morton, Heath and West to stretch their lead out to 90 points at the final change. They managed to kick another 5 in the final term, again via multiple goal kickers and a dominant midfield fed by Slape in the ruck, but to Cougars credit they didn’t lay down and managed to kick a couple in the last quarter but in the end were simply outclassed by a much stronger side.
Glover was excellent all day for the winners, Lachy Heath all class and Slape, Morton, George and Casey Beard all prominent while Kory and Trav Beard booted 11 majors between them. Josh Horgan was best for the visitors with his never say die attitude, Henry Turnbull impressive and Nassif, Corey Paech, Harry Shepperd and Jay Green all had moments throughout the day.
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