Country Footy Wrap

By Peter Argent – May 29

Travelling up to Mallala Oval, Damien Herzick’s Virginia Rams were looking to take on the undefeated Magpies, after winning just one of their opening four games for the season.

After a tough and uncompromising first half, the Rams led by 27 points and kicked a further four goals to one in the second half to win by comfortable 40-point margin, 9.7 (61) to 2.9 (21).

“It was an outstanding team effort with many things going our way on the day,” Herzick told the Country Football Wrap.

“We’ve been building over the last couple of weeks, being really competitive against Balaklava the previous week, before conceding the last couple of goals of the game.

“Against Mallala we had contributors all over the ground which was a must with the quality of (former Norwood footballer) Callum Bartlett on the sidelines in a moon boot.”

Best on ground was smooth moving former Port Adelaide footballer and Mail Medalist from Gawler Central, Daniel Stanley, who lead a potent offence on a wet day.

Ryan Howson was outstanding with his “Kamikaze” attack on the ball and fellow small man Tyson Panagiotou also had a telling impact.

2011 Woodville West Torrens premiership player Lee Staple took upwards of 15 marks, while Terry Lioulios did a manful job tagging Joel Montgomerie.

Long-term Rams goal kicking ace Brendan Nicholas kicked four majors as well.

Josh Seal was the Magpies best followed by Montgomerie and the hard-running Dale King.

Reyner Clarke also displayed plenty of agility for a big man.

Last year’s premiers, the Two Wells Roosters travelled up to Long Plains Oval and took on United.

Two Wells slotted through eight unanswered goals in the first half but were kept goal-less in the third quarter, when United kicked one of its two goals.

Still Two Wells would go on to win by a handsome 68-point margin.

Bryce Hart was the Roosters’ best followed by Jamie Humphrys, Harry Gameau and the experienced Tallan Leighton.  Michael Abdilla kicked three goals for Two Wells while Caleb Edmead, after his 24-goal haul the previous week, managed just the one in this match.

In this contest, hard at it on-baller Adrian Mills was the Tigers best followed by Riley Curnow and Ricky Ebert.

In the battle of the birds, the Hummocks Watchman Eagles travel down to Angle Vale Oval and beat their hosts by 34 points on the back of a strong first half.

The final score was Hummocks Watchman 11.17 (83) defeating Angle Vale 7.7 (49).

Nathan Studham was the Eagles best followed by Shaun Light and Luke Forrest.

Henry Wright finished with three goals.

For Angle Vale, Tyson Harris was impressive while teammates Tyson Wilkin and Trent Payne were strong.

Balaklava travelled across to Hamley Bridge and in a terribly lop-sided affair, won 32.29 (221) to a single goal.

Coming across from Moonta FC Shane Moss kicked 10 goals, while Jason McPharlin chimed in with five and best on ground Bill Dixon finished with four.

Teenager Sammy Michael was outstanding in ruck and around the ground, also kicking three goals. Luke Guy had his moments.

Jake Medhurst was the Bombers’ only goal kicker with Stewart and Lachlan Connor, Ethan Loffler and Callum Robinson all battling against the odds.

Up at The Brook, the Roosters proved to be way too strong for Orroroo.

In tough conditions, they kicked 4.7 to two points in the first half and only conceded their first goal in the final quarter.

Best on ground for the third time in the opening six games, Will Combe led the way once more.

Over the opening month and a half of the 2019 season, Will has been among the most consistent footballers across the state, having been in Crystal Brooks best three or four each game.

Luke Bartlett, Harry Mills, Adam Kupsch and Jackson Richman all played big roles while Daniel Hill (four) and Jason Eagle (three) kicked seven goals between them.

Best player for the Roos was Aiden Lee followed by Darren Hughes and Josh Lawson. Big Bustling Billy Tapscott and Damien Ellery were also serviceable.

Nick Hewett’s Broughton Mundoora Eagles travelled across to the picturesque Melrose Oval and beat the BMW Lions by 61 points.

The Eagles were already 28 points up and half-time and kicked six goals to one in the third quarter to ensure a strong victory.

Adelaide top-up player Gene Robinson continues his outstanding season as a goalkicking forward.

He kicked another seven goals in this encounter and now has 39 from the opening six games.

His smallest haul so far was five back in round one.

Tough-as-nails Billy Hayes was Eagles’ best followed by Robinson and Billy’s brother Maddy.

Local talent Will Hewett, who played a season with Central District and long-term servant Tom Button were also impressive.

Siblings Lucas and Alek Kangur were the Lions best, followed by Jamie Robinson, Geordie McCallum and Mark Francis.

At Wirrabara Oval, Southern Flinders had a solid 37-point win over Jamestown Peterborough after an even first half- just the four points separating the two teams at half-time.

The hosts kicked 5.1 in the third quarter, a single major in the premiership quarter, which made a big difference.

Big man Brady Zwar was the Tigers’ best. He was helped by Zeik Kay and Nigel Kleinig.

Joel Ambjerg-Pedersen was a good target up forward with four goals for Southern Flinders.

For the Magpies, Nick Rynne, often among Jamestown Peterborough’s best, was a standout for the second week in a row, well supported by Daniel Robinson, Henry Hall and Josh Weatherley in the loss.

Last year’s premiers Nuriootpa kicked 1.7 at half-time and were five points in arrears, before kicking four goals in the last quarter to beat a tenacious Freeling side by that margin.

In a game where goals were a premium the Rovers finished with 6.13 (49) to Freeling’s 3.7 (25).

Aseri “Bobby” Raikiwasa continues his outstanding start to the year while left footed forward Ryan Foulis, along with midfielders Jackson Baldwin, Beau Shinnick and Billy Nicholls all played key roles.

Defender Michael O’Malley was Freeling’s best followed by Tommy Taylor, Jacob Wright and the unheralded Jayden Ruediger.

Dean Terlich’s Tanunda Magpies continue their undefeated run in the face of a few injury issues.

Former Glenelg midfielder Riley McFarlane was the Magpies’ best followed by teenager Ben Biagi (the younger brother of Central District SANFLW inaugural captain Nicola) and Terlich who played up forward and kicked six goals.

Lachlan Earl and Andrew “AJ” Prior also had a significant contribution to the win.

For the Lions, Jackson Press – who has played a couple of games for the Crows’ SANFL team this year – Darcy Judd Smith, Daniel Golding and Dom Costanzo all were noteworthy.

The contest at Elliot Goodger Park between Kapunda and Willaston proved to be a thriller with the visiting Bombers, who enjoyed the wide open spaces of this venue winning in the end by a single kick, 9.11 (65) to 8.11 (59)

Joel Foster, a nephew of John Platten, Matthew Stent and Jake Huggard were all impressive for Kapunda, who really needed a win.

Brad Prior (three goals) along with Tristan Kerr and Tate Michael down in defence played key roles.

For Willaston “quarterback” Michael Clinch was there best followed by ball magnets Ashley Fry, Tyson Irlam and Josh Waldhuter.

Angaston enjoyed the second win on home soil this year defeating a gallant Gawler Central outfit in a low-scoring affair by 19 points.

Playing Coach Jay Shannon enjoyed the uncompromising conditions while Matthew Blenkiron and James Paprotny were important in defence.

Young Dylan Tuckwell, Tommy Ryan and veteran Craig Harvey were also significant.

For the Tigers, big Joe Bottin and rover Sean Baker were the best, followed by Cam Reynolds and Nick Hooker.