INTERLEAGUE REVIEW – OMFNL V GVFNL
The SSA Ovens and Murray has retained the Ash-Wilson Trophy after proving to polished and classy for old rivals Goulburn Valley at Moroopna on Saturday.
The Black and Gold machine excelled pre-game expectation by hammering the home side 18-11-119 to 9-10-64 in front of 1000 spectators.
In a superb team performance, it was Wangaratta speed machine Joe Richards who was awarded best on ground in a blistering display.
Not far behind him was Albury midfielder Fletcher Carroll, who along with Richards dominated midfield possession and ball carry into the forward fifty.
Yarrawonga forward Leigh Williams took his brilliant club form into the interleague space with five goals in a commanding performance. Wangaratta Rovers pair Tom Boyd and Alex Marklew provided great support to Williams kicking three goals apiece, while fellow talls Kaelen Bradke and Jacob Conlan booted two each.
The OM took a nineteen-point lead into half time before unleashing a brilliant eleven goals to five in the second half to run away with the game.
The Goulburn Valley kicked the first goal of the game, but after that had no answer to the pace and forward power of the visitors. Lachie Smith with four goals was the GV’s best. Smith who started in defence was shifted forward just before half time and kicked all four of his goals in the third term. Ruckman Isaac Muller, Rover’s pair Cody Schutt and Jake McQueen along with Wangaratta defender Dylan Van Berlo were other standouts for the Ovens and Murray.
The Ovens and Murray made it a double against the Goulburn Valley when the young guns in the black and gold jumpers won a cracking contest by 18 points. The home side led at half time by six points before the OM clicked into gear with a 6-5 to 1-0 third term setting up the victory in a high standard encounter.
Josh Mathey was a deserving winner of the Peter Johnstone Medal for best afield. Mathey who has starred all season for Wodonga, capped off a stunning game in midfield with three goals. Albury Tigers pair Phoenix Gothard (3 goals) and Isaac McGrath (2 goals) were dangerous up forward along with Xavier Laverty (3 goals) and Fraser Holland-Dean (2 goals). Oscar Lyons, Charlie Lappin and Ned Twycross were also good players for the OM who held off a late surge by the Goulburn Valley in what was a highly entertaining clash.
The showdown on the netball court promised plenty and it certainly delivered with Goulburn valley storming home to win 44-29. The game was in the balance throughout with the visitors OM holding its share of dominance but could not shake off the Purple and Gold machine. A blistering final ten minutes of the last quarter proved the difference after OM had led in the early part of a pulsating encounter.
North Albury coach Emily Browne showed her class at this level by being awarded best on court in what was a wonderful team effort. Not far behind Browne for best on court was former North Albury star and 2016 SSA OM Netball Rising Star winner Nikita Singe.
The defensive combination of Corowa Rutherglen’s Sophie Hanrahan and Wangaratta co coach Hannah Grady was outstanding under enormous pressure.
Up front at the goal face Georgia Clark (Wangaratta) and Grace Senior (Corowa Rutherglen) started well but were starved of opportunity in the hectic final minutes. The OM team will now look ahead to the Victorian Association championships in Melbourne next month for another crack at the GV in the round robin format.
The day did start very well for the OM Under 17 side when they completely outclassed the Goulburn Valley in a spectacular exhibition of netball. Led by a superb performance from Wodonga Raiders star Zoe Prentice, the visitors double their opponents score in an emphatic 62-31 victory. Coached by legendary Raiders coach Jodie House the talented outfit gave their opposition no chance in one of the league’s biggest wins at that level.
Next week it will be the resumption of club competition with a full preview of all the netball and football action coming out Friday ahead of round eight.
