round 16 review
What a round of action in the SS&A OMFNL with the race for finals positions still wide open and no closer to the final makeup of the top five.
Lavington has continued its late season charge by upsetting third placed Albury Tigers by 13 points in a cracking local derby at the Albury Sportsground. The Panthers moved into 4th spot after their fourth straight win. The victory still does not assure them finals action with two rounds to play.
Myrtleford slipped from fourth to sixth after Wodonga continued its impressive run of form by beating the Saints at Wodonga by 29 points.
Wangaratta Rovers snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating Corowa Rutherglen at the John Foord Oval by 17 points in an entertaining stoush.
Myrtleford does have two things in their favour in the run home – a good percentage and what appears to be a favourable draw in the final two rounds. They will need to win their two remaining games – at home this week to Raiders and then the away clash with Corowa Rutherglen in round eighteen.
Lavington has ladder leaders Wangaratta at home next week and then finish off with a trip to Birallee Park against Wodonga Raiders.
The Rovers will be confident of beating North Albury at home this week and then face a potentially season defining game at the Albury Sportsground against the Tigers.
The top three are locked away with an outside chance for Yarrawonga to pinch top spot off Wangaratta if they were to slip up in their final two games. A look at the top six and their matches in the run home sets up a massive final two rounds – percentage could be a huge factor for the final two positions.
TOP FIVE
Wangaratta 60 (263.3) to play Lavi (a) & Yarra (h)
Yarrawonga 56 (165.3) to play Albury (h) & Wang (a)
Albury 44 (130.1) to play Yarra (a) & Rovers (h)
Lavington 36 (101.7) to play Wang (h) & Raiders (a)
Wangaratta Rovers 36 (101.5) to play North Albury (h) & Albury (a)
Myrtleford 32 (108.8) to play Raiders (h) & Cor Ruth (a)
Lavington’s win over Albury was only its fifth in the last 22 outings against the Tigers and completed a pulsating encounter that was level with five minutes to play. Billy Glanvill could be a smoky for the Morris Medal with another 40-possession game, while Aiden Cook and Jack Harland were outstanding.
Alex Dowsley kicked four big goals in a stunning debut for Wangaratta Rovers. The former Beechworth junior leads the seconds goalkicking and relished the opportunity to play seniors. He kicked his first goal after the siren in the first term and kicked his last goal after the siren in the final quarter.
Wodonga celebrated another big win over a final’s aspirant with Sam Jewell, Josh Mathey and Michael Driscoll leading a superb team effort against the wounded Saints. Simon Curtis was again the Saints best across half back, while Murray Waite and Sam Martyn got plenty of the football. Nick Warnock started well but like his side faded.
It was very open attacking football at the Norm Minns Oval with Wangaratta easily accounting for the Raiders in a one-sided contest by 98 points. Twelve players in the match had twenty-five plus possessions with Jarrod Hodgkin leading the total with 37, Abe Ankers was best afield with five goals and 29 possessions.
Yarrawonga were made to work hard for its 57-point win over the much-improved North Albury at Bunton Park with Sam Azzi outstanding for the Hoppers. Leigh Williams with six goals has taken his season total to 58 four ahead of Cal Moore in the Strang Medal title. Nick Fothergill and Jack Sexton were best for the Pigeons.
For the second time this season Lavington has beaten Albury by a single goal in SS&A OM netball. Despite the loss the Tigers still hold fifth spot with two games remaining.
North Albury with two games remaining need to win both its matches and Albury to lose its last two for a finals spot. Yarrawonga hammered the Hoppers 56-30 in an ominous showing.
Corowa Rutherglen bounced back to the winners list with a comfortable 58-36 win over Wangaratta Rovers in Grace Senior 50th game for the Roos.
Myrtleford put pay to Wodonga’s hopes of back-to-back wins when they chalked up its sixth win of the season 58-46 with Wing Attack Saige Broz best on court.
Wangaratta continue to build ahead of its title defence with a thumping 61-34 win over Wodonga Raiders. The win was the Magpies fourth in a row.
So, with two rounds remaining the Albury Tigers need to win one of its final two matches to lock down the fifth spot on the ladder.
