Cougars opened their account for season 2024 with a gritty win over Eyre United, Tumby Bay produced their best performance of the season with an impressive victory over Elliston Districts and Lock declared themselves as a genuine contender with a big win over Ramblers at Lock Oval.
Cougars hosted Eyre United at Cummins Oval with both sides looking to open their account for their first win of the year and after a tight opening 8 minutes it was Max Baldiserra who opened proceedings with a goal for the visitors. Cougars responded strongly to dominate the second half of the quarter as Nassif and Jack Green both kicked goals. Inaccuracy in front of goals cost them a bigger lead as they finished with 3.7 for the quarter while the major from Baldiserra was the Saints only score. Jack Green opened the second quarter with a quick goal and despite going inside 50 on several occasions Eyre United could not hit the scoreboard. The game had turned in to a real arm wrestle with both sides defenders standing tall with Tom Phelp sin particular stamping his authority on the contest with his side taking a 23 point lead in to half time.
Youngster Mitch Blacker ignited his teammates with his first A Grade goal to open the third quarter, and it was another youngster for the Saints in Will Turner who responded quickly to keep them in the game. Webb kicked another for Eyre United to bring the margin back to 2 goals but Jack Green steadied things for the home side to kick his 4th goal and give them some breathing space heading in to the final term. The final quarter had gone 14 minutes before a goal was kicked through Harvey Masson as the Saints found a bit of the ball but struggled to hurt Cougars on the scoreboard. Cougars were able to hold on and defended well to record a gritty 2 goal win in a game that never really reached any great heights. Tom Phelps led his side from the front all day, Jack Green was important with a game high 4 goals being the difference, and Brodie Laube, Jay Green, Josh Horgan and Henry Turnbull all played important roles. For the Saints none were better than Max Baldiserra, Brody Stratford continued his good form, and Butler, Phillis, Turner and Jordy Telfer all had some good moments.
Led by a 7 goal haul from gun forward Trav Beard, Lock made a statement with an impressive win over fellow contender Ramblers to the tune of 87 points on the Roo’s home deck. After a nervous start, Slape became a dominant factor in the ruck for his side as Casey Beard, Kammerman and Trav Beard all worked in to the game strongly to see the Roo’s skip out to an 18 point lead at quarter time. The second quarter was all about the home side as they slammed on 6 goals and kept the Magpies scoreless in an impressive defensive display. Morton and Blaze Kay were dominating things in the midfield, Heath was brilliant across half back and Beard and Slape continued to cause their opposite numbers plenty of concern as the game was all but shot at half time with Lock leading by 58 points.
Ramblers lifted after half time as Chandler began to work in to the game, as did Franklin and Modra and if not for some poor goal kicking they could have reduced the gap even further. Despite all their efforts and increase in work rate, they still trailed by 51 points at the final change and had plenty to do if they were any chance to work back in to the contest. It was again the home side in the last quarter though as they upped the ante to pile on 7 final quarter goals and kept Ramblers to just one to completely dominate the final term. Humphries, George and Morton were finding plenty of it as Aaron Beard and Blaze Kay reaped the benefits to kick 4 between them and Heath and Beard continued their sound defensive work. It was an impressive performance from the Roo’s with many players contributing – Casey Beard was solid all day, Trav Beard impressive booting 7, and Crosby, George, West, Kay and Billy Brown all valuable contributors. For Ramblers Michael Franklin was their best and Milburn, Schubert, Modra, Fitzgerald and Skinner all battled hard for their side in a tough day.
Tumby Bay made the road trip to Minnipa to take on Elliston Districts in what was predicted to be a tight and toughly fought contest. It was the Blues that started the game best as the pace of Sumner, Murphy and McLeod was causing the home side plenty of headaches as they dominated to get the visitors off to a flyer. The Roosters were able to steady though Williams and Polkinghorne to get them back in the contest, but Murphy responded with some class to kick 2 long range bombs from outside 50 to give his side a 26 point lead at quarter time. The second quarter was a real arm wrestle with neither side able to break the game open as both sides kicked 3 goals for the quarter in what was an absorbing and free flowing contest. Gale was impressive across half back for the Blues, and Murphy dominant in the middle, while for Elliston Districts Williams, Polkinhorne and Bascomb had all lifted strongly.
The third quarter proved difficult going for either side to score, but Tumby Bay though some good work from Pierson and McLeod were able to extend their sides lead to 34 points at the final break as Gale and McDonald defended stoutly to make scoring difficult for the home side. The final term was an even contest with both sides managing 2 goals for the quarter, although Tumby Bay wasted some opportunities in front of goal that could have made the final result larger than the 37 points in the end.
It was a workmanlike performance form the Blues with their midfield impressive all day and able to hit the scoreboard when it mattered. Jackson Murphy was impressive in a best on ground performance, Lachy Gale outstanding across half back and Tom McDonald, Sumner, McLeod, Pierson and Hartwig valuable contributors. For the home side Cruz Polkinghorne was all class, Williams workmanlike and Bascomb, Van Doorn, Hutchinson and Rieniets all worked hard to keep their side in the contest.
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