Round 14 Review
Round fourteen of SS&A OMFNL threw up some big results with the biggest upset of the round happening on the netball court.
In the race for finals position in football, both North Albury and Wodonga chalked up wins, while Lavington lost to make their aspirations very hard from here.
The clash at Wangaratta Norm Minns Oval between the Magpies and the Tigers turned into a fizzer with Albury too good for an injury-ravished home side.
The Tigers won by 49 points as Wangaratta was forced to play with just 17 men for most of the second half, with five players forced out through injury.
Wangaratta lost Murray Waite (ankle), Matt Grossman (calf), Michael Newton (knee), Ben Reid (hamstring) and Cal Moore (concussion) on a horror day of injury.
Albury was outstanding with Isaac Muller, Rhys King, Jacob Conlan and Elliot Powell dominating, sending a very clear message to those who have discarded them as a premiership threat.
Yarrawonga retained the top spot with an empathic 59-point win over Lavington with its midfield tearing the Panthers apart that included a six-goal to nothing first quarter.
Led by a dominant ruck display from Lachie Howe, Mark Whiley (36 possessions), Willie Wheeler and Michael Gibbons dominated, while Cam Wilson had five goals and Leigh Williams six.
Lavington suffered a blow with ruckman Tim Hanna injured early, Shaun Driscoll, Ewan Mackinlay and Jono Spina were best for Lavington who are now two games and percentage out of the five.
North Albury kept alive its finals hopes with an impressive 44-point win over Wodonga Raiders in an at times fiery match that had a halftime melee as players left the ground at Birallee Park.
Led magnificently by coach Tim Broomhead with 5 goals and 33 possessions they at one stage led by over ten goals, before Raiders kicked the final four goals of the game.
Inspirational captain George Godde (34 possessions), Jack Reynolds and Ryan Polkinghorne led the Hoppers superbly as they remain two games out of the five.
For the Raiders once again Cam Ellis-Yolmen (37 possessions) was outstanding along with Nick Bracher and Cooper Smith.
Wodonga showed great maturity with a solid four-quarter performance to defeat Myrtleford at the McNamara Reserve by 34 points.
Morris Medal favourite Angus Baker was again best afield with five goals, while Coen Ainsworth made a sparkling debut with (21) possessions.
Most importantly the Doggies have increased its percentage and buffer on Lavington and North Albury.
Myrtleford outscored Wodonga in the final term, they had good players in Ryley Sharp (4 goals), Simon Curtis and young guns Tom Cappellari and Ashton McPherson.
Fifth-placed Lavington pulled off the biggest upset for the season in netball when they thrashed Yarrawonga by 53-32 to inflict the Pigeon’s first loss of the season.
Star goal shooter Christine Oguche (43) goals and Olivia Sanson were brilliant up forward, with Stephanie Clancy dominating in mid-court and Taylor Furborough in defence.
It continued the Panther’s good record against Yarrawonga in home-away games having won three of their last four matches in the last two years.
Wangaratta once again used four different goal shooters as they cruised to a 52-37 win over Albury. Leah Jenvey and Ellie Cooper were best for Wangaratta and Lilly Howe for Albury.
Wodonga Raiders had to work hard to beat North Albury 54-43 and hold onto third place. With The Hopper’s loss and the Tigers, the top five have been decided but not the finishing positions.
Myrtleford has pulled off a stunning tactical ploy with Sophie Hanrahan again starring at the goal front shooting 57 goals in the Saint’s 75-44 win over Wodonga.
The Saints have become the best scoring unit in the competition having shot a total of 159 goals in its last two games. They have the second-best percentage in the competition.
With five rounds remaining Yarrawonga will finish top of the table – who finishes with the double chance in 2nd or 3rd is well and truly up for the grabs.
