Round 2 Preview
Has the top five been finalised in the SS&A OMFNL? That is the question being posed following a fascinating round seven of matches in football and netball.
The top five has just one win separating all teams with Yarrawonga, Wodonga and Albury all on five wins and the two Wang teams Rovers and Magpies with four wins.
There is now a two-game break and over 20 % to both Lavington and North Albury on two wins. Wangaratta and North Albury are the only teams yet to have the bye.
North Albury’s continued improvement went to another level with a fighting 12-point win at Bunton Park over Myrtleford to notch its second win for the season.
Having finished with the wooden spoon in the last two seasons the Hoppers under coach Tim Broomhead have shown they are going to be a team to be reckoned with in the next few years.
After the Saints kicked the first two goals North Albury hit back to at one stage lead by 28 points before fighting off a sustained Myrtleford charge.
Broomhead was outstanding along with defenders Jack King and Fletcher Ramage, while on ballers George Godde, Nathan Dennis and Julian Hayes were in everything.
For the Saints Ryley Bouker, Levi Young and Elijah Wales were best. Bouker and Riley Sharp both kicked three goals.
Wangaratta gave notice to all other flag contenders that they are back in business when they hammered Lavington by 59 points at the Norm Minns Oval.
The Magpies midfield class of Dan Sharrock, Jackson Clarke, Brad Melville and Dane Porter set up an impressive win after Lavington had led at quarter time.
In defence, the home side had winners in Michael Bordignon, Dylan Van Berlo and Mark Anderson as the Panthers again struggled to kick goals, with finals now looking like an extremely tough task.
After kicking three goals in the first quarter Lavington were only able to kick another three for the remainder of the game. Shaun Driscoll, Clayton Marsh and Ewan Mackinlay were their best.
Wangaratta Rovers bounced back to its best inflicting Wodonga’s first defeat of the season at Martin Park, Wodonga winning comfortably by 42 points.
Ryan Hebron showed just how valuable he is with four goals in a best-on-ground performance. Cody Schutt, Brodie Filo, Michael Clarke, Tom Boyd (3 goals) and Sam Murray were others to shine.
Wodonga without star midfielder Angus Baker struggled to kick goals with 5-6 a poor return. Josh Mathey, Jack Chesser and Matt Wilson were the Bulldog’s best.
In positive news for Wodonga Jack Yelland made a successful return from a hamstring injury return in the seconds with a best afield performance.
Albury overcame a strong first-half showing from Wodonga Raiders to pull away in the second half taking a 61 point win at the Albury Sportsground.
Rugged midfielder Alex Jones and co-captains Jim Grills and Luke Daly were outstanding for the Tigers with Lucas Conlan kicking three goals.
The Raiders trailed by just 13 points at halftime with Nelson Bowey, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Tom Bracher and Liam Hickey leading the charge. A ten-goal to two second half secured the Tiger victory.
In a big round of netball, Lavington showed it could be the team to challenge Yarrawonga for the flag with a super impressive 50-46 win over Wangaratta.
Christine Oguche nailed 41 goals in another impressive showing for the Panthers, she had great support from Liv Sanson and Steph Clancy.
Wodonga achieved its first win of the season with a come-from-behind 61-50 victory after at one stage Rovers led by four goals in the second quarter.
Lisa French shot 37 goals from 40 attempts, while her sidekick Cassie Mathey hit 24 from 26 attempts – a combined effort that resulted in only five missed shots.
Wodonga Raiders went a long way to playing finals by defeating Albury 48-44 to now move two games clear inside the top five.
Blaynee House and Maggie St John were in terrific form for the Raiders, while young gun Lilli Howe shot 30 goals for the Tigers.
Myrtleford celebrated their star defender Sophie Hanrahan’s 150th A grade game in the O&M with a convincing 42-27 win over North Albury.
The round seven results have seen the top five skip well clear of the bottom four. Yarrawonga remains unbeaten and on top of the table, a game clear of Myrtleford and Wangaratta.
