round 18 review
Done and
dusted! Eighteen home and away rounds completed for the first time since 2019,
and a fascinating four weeks of finals action is upon us in the SS&A OMFNL.
All three contenders for the final two positions in the football top five had wins, but it was Wangaratta Rovers and Myrtleford who will progress into finals. Lavington, despite having the same number of wins as Myrtleford, missed out on percentage. From third-placed Albury, to sixth-placed Lavington, just one game separated the four teams. The Panthers late season run has put them in a good position to develop it further into 2023, they will look back on a costly last-minute loss to Yarrawonga way back on Easter Sunday.
Myrtleford, after a sluggish start against the speedy Roo’s, settled into some excellent football to run away with a 63-point win with Riley Bouker and Riley Sharp both booting five goals. Corowa Rutherglen led by three goals at quarter time, before the Saints kicked eighteen of the last twenty-three goals to lock in finals.
Simon Curtis was best on ground with thirty-seven possessions, while Matt Dussin and Sam Martyn showed excellent form ahead of finals. It was a disappointing fade out by the Roos in what was Peter German’s last match as coach. Darcy Melksham and Jarryd Hatton were the Roos best.
Wangaratta and Yarrawonga turned on a high class and spirited encounter at the Norm Minns Oval, with the Magpies prevailing by 21 points, but came at a big cost. Star defender Jamie Anderson’s season could be over after leaving the ground with a knee injury, while brother Mark and coach Ben Reid also have injury concerns.
A goal shootout between Pigeons Leigh Williams (six) and Pies Cal Moore (seven) was one of many highlights. Williams finished with 67 season goals to win the Doug Strang Medal. Emerging 18yo Yarrawonga ruckman Kyal Tyson was outstanding, while Magpies midfielder Brad Melville was in great form.
Wangaratta Rovers defeated Albury for the second time this season to wrap up fourth position with Sam Murray and Brodie Filo having over seventy possessions between them. Ryan Hebron the GWS VFL captain booted three for Rovers, while the Tigers were buoyed by a brilliant return by Fletcher Carroll and a solid debut by Phoenix Gothard. The Tigers, who led at quarter time and trailed by just two points at half time, now have a huge challenge against Yarrawonga in Saturdays qualifying final.
Shaun Mannagh made a sparkling return for Lavington booting seven goals in the Panthers 73-point win over a plucky Wodonga Raiders who fought hard. Lavington only led by 17 points at half time, with Isaac Muller dominating for Raiders, along with Max Glass and Max Beattie. The Panthers kicked ten goals to two in the second half.
Wodonga finished its season with a fourth straight win, hammering the Hoppers by 99 points at Bunton Park. Wodonga blitzed the Hoppers with twelve straight goals in the third quarter with Cody Szust best afield. Hudson Garoni and Oscar Wilding both kicked four goals. George Godde, Dom Brew, Julian Hayes and Tim Broomhead got plenty of the football for North Albury but were made pay for another poor third quarter.
Albury locked away the final position in the netball top five after proving too strong for Wangaratta Rovers 41-29 to keep North Albury out. Heidi Fisher and Skye Hillier were the Tigers best, while talented sportsperson Mikaela Trethowan was best for Rovers who finish the season ninth.
North Albury did what they had to do and beat Wodonga 49-36, but with the Tigers winning they finished their season half a game out of the top five. The Hoppers will look back on a couple of missed chances when they let leads go late in games. Kelsie Lieschke was best for North, while Ellie Ainsworth starred for the Bulldogs.
Corowa Rutherglen warmed up for its finals with a thumping 66-28 win over Myrtleford, Grace Senior shot 37 goals and sister Sophie 29 in the Roos romp. Tina Way was best for the Saints with Kayla Cartwright and Ellie Cooper others to stand out. Corowa Rutherglen have week one of the finals off after finishing with the minor premiership.
Yarrawonga
sent a sound warning to all other finals teams with a 63-29 thrashing of
Wangaratta. The Pigeons have mobilised their best team and look a massive
chance to take the flag.
After a
slow start where they trailed at quarter time, Lavington reset and ran away
with a seventeen-goal win over Wodonga Raiders with Maddi Plunkett bagging 37
goals. The Panthers will now take on Yarrawonga in this Saturdays qualifying
final, while the elimination final will see Albury playing Wangaratta.
