Country Footy Wrap

By Peter Argent | May 22

Journeying north on the World’s End Highway to Burra, Eudunda-Robertstown Southern Saints enjoyed their first win of the season, defeating BBH Rams by 21 points.

“We started really well, but only kicked points early, started with 0.5,” Southern Saints senior coach David Cluse explained.

“Leigh Kimpton gave us great run from half back and Jake [Eagle] distributed the ball well by hand across half forward.

“We have asked big man Billy [Wells] to be a leader on the field and while he’s still a little underdone, his voice has been pivotal.”

“It was great to bounce back from a poor round three game. We were really competitive in our opening two matches.”

Import from Pooraka Jake Eagle led the way for the Southern Saints, followed by the mercurial defender Leigh Kimpton.

Hailing from the Kimberley in northern Western Australia, Kamurudin “Dimmi” Hunter kicked three impressive goals.

Former state country All-Australian from 2012 Luke “Billy” Wells has come across from Tanunda and was highly competitive in ruck, while second generation Eudunda lad Kane Schulz kicked two goals.

The better players for the Rams in defeat included Ben Hook (two goals), Lachlan McInnis and Tim Torzsok.

Scott Brand’s South Clare Demons had a strong 29-point win over the RSMU Hawks at Riverton Oval, winning 14.10 (94) to 9.11 (65).

Former Woodville West Torrens league footballer Daniel Minney, returning to his founding club, was best on ground for the Dees, while Jacob Greatz kicked five goals.

Jordan Newton (two goals), Patty McInerney and Shane Ballantyne, recruited from Northern Areas club Southern Flinders, also had a significant influence in the Demons’ triumph.

Best for the Hawks was evergreen veteran and dual state country football and cricket player  James Vandeluer, young talent Ben Molineux and utility Sam Noack.

SANFL experienced Damian Hynes and Zack Hier also impressed for the Dees.

On the back of an eight-haul from big man Harry Viney, Blyth-Snowtown had a mammoth 122-point win over North Clare.

Along with Viney, Cats midfielder Caleb Lloyd vied for best on ground, followed by defender Nathan Zweck and Ashley Giles.

Enigmatic talent Scott Atkinson kicked four goals.

For the Roosters small man James Brown (son of former Port Adelaide, Crows and Power footballer David) was their best followed by Michael Bannon and Charlie McInnes.

Liam Whitwell’s BSR Tigers, the reigning premiers, continued their winning streak to end the first month of North Eastern football with their fourth straight win.

They beat a struggling Mintaro-Manoora Eagles outfit by 98 points.

Returning from an ACL injury, former 2011 Eagles SANFL premiership player Phil Raymond was best on ground for the Tigers.

Matt Longbottom kicked five goals, while recruit from Mallala Jordan Clements, Samuel Wilsdon, athletic big man Sam “Horse” Heinjus and Andrew Cousins were all standouts in the impressive win.

Former South Clare player Sam Heinrich was the Eagles’ best followed by the Sandow siblings, Lachlan and Billy – Billy is one of the best field kicks in country football.

Reigning Premiers South Augusta had a strong win at Central Oval in round four against fellow top-two team Prop-Risdon.

Already 55 points up at half-time after a second quarter blitz of nine goals, South Augusta would go on to defeat Props 20.17 (137) to 10.9 (69).

Bulldogs indigenous player-coach Kristen Thompson was best on ground, followed by Matthew Downey and Gary Warren – who kicked six goals.

Stefan Horner and Ronald Fuschtei kicked three goals each for the victors.

For the Prop-Risdon Lions Tyson Horsnell was their best with a four-goal haul, followed by Jordan Fuller and Sam Dyer.

In a high quality and high scoring game Central Augusta beat Port Bulldogs by 18 points, 18.10 (118) to 16.4 (100) at ETSA Oval in Port Augusta.

Nathan Khan was Central’s best followed by Jared Reid, who kicks six goals, and Dean Miller.

For the vanquished Hawks, Greg Phillips kicked a magical bag of 11 in his team’s 16 goals in a best on ground performance.

Jesse Vivar, Adam Coe and big man Graham Cooke also had their moments for the green and whites.

The Solomontown Cats had an exciting nine-point win over the West Augusta Eagles at the newly renovated Port Pirie Memorial Oval.

Twenty-two points up at half-time the Cats had further control of the game at three quarter time. The Eagles then slammed home six goals to one in the last quarter, but it wasn’t enough to get over the line.

Solomontown’s best was Corey Davey, Jonathan Hayes and Lachlan Knibbs with six goals, while Lawson Munzberg and Josef Caputo were also influential.

For West, Charlie Ryan, Michael Hurley and Braden Allen all stood out in the close loss.

In the Friday night game at Bennett Oval, the undefeated West Whyalla, had a handsome 55-point win over Weeroona Bay, triumphing 14.11 (95) to 6.4 (40).

West were already 31 points up at the long break after kicking five goals to one for the half..

Shannon Winders kicked six goals in the victory, while Billy Joe Russell was best afield, well supported by Sam Connell and Aaron Smith.

For the Tigers Xavier Cubillo was their best, followed by Bevan Doolan, and the Rogers brothers, Aaron and Adam.

In the stand-alone Saturday afternoon fixture Central Whyalla had a massive 15-goal win over Roopena.

The seasoned Scott Collison kicked five goals (and has 24 for the season), while Clifford Pickhaver-Tupe finished with four.

Dwyane and Brendan Colson lead the way for the Roosters while Patrick Tansell and Sam Ellis also stood up.

Samuel Sullivan was the Roos’ best, followed by Jordan Henderson-Ewings, who kicked six of his team’s seven goals, and a hardworking Nick Jones.

In the Sunday fixture North Whyalla thrashed the winless South Demons by a huge 152 point margin.

For the Magpies, Adam Nicol kicked eights goals in the 28.12 (180) to 4.4 (28) victory.

Classy Sam Venning was outstanding for North, as was Daniel Chapman, while Sam Flanegan, Wayne Dare and Josh Trezise were also conspicuous.

Patrick Triglau-Phillips was gallant for South as was David Cleary and Jai Newsham.