ROUND eight of junior football kicked off with the 16s under lights in challenging conditions. Heavy rain made the ground slushy and with showers during the game ball handling became a difficult exercise.
The battle between the top sides, Hawks and Busselton, was a war of attrition. At times the match resembled a cross between soccer and mud-wrestling. Busselton took a two-goal lead into the second quarter, but the Hawks fought back strongly to be down by just a few points at half-time.
Nick Monkhouse and Blake Edwards were two players whose sure ball handling and pace stood out in the conditions, while Sam Busetti was a rock at full back.
Busselton kicked two goals against the run of play in the third term, and almost immediately the heavens opened, making the home side’s task of hauling them in even more difficult. An early goal to Khai Grady to start the last term gave the Hawks some hope, but Busselton held firm for the rest of the quarter and booted a further two goals to give them a more comfortable margin than the game suggested.
Final Score: Busselton 6-11 (47) def Hawks 3-3 (21) (Gloucester Park).
Hawks’ goals: Hawks: Khai Grady, Jesse Ferguson, Max Dickson. Hawks’ best: Blake Edwards, Nick Monkhouse, Jonathon Marsh, Sam Busetti, Blake Kevill, Liam Bourke.
15s MR Eagles v MR Bombers
The derby between the two Margaret River teams took place at Augusta to thank the Augusta community for its support of junior football, and also to raise money for recently diagnosed cancer sufferer Jarrad Head. More than $1700 was raised by the canteen and raffles.
The game itself was keenly fought. The Eagles got the early jump, kicking five goals to the Bombers’ one in the first term. However, the Bombers fought back to reduce the margin to two goals at half-time.
In a tense third term, the Eagles could only kick one goal and the game was up for grabs. It was the Eagles who finished stronger, kicking three goals, enough to give them victory. Clever ball user Creed Griffith and burly big man Samson Thorson each kicked three goals for Eagles, who were well led by Will Young. Best for the Bombers was Jim Meleri with another three goals, while Tom Riordan, Bailey Ellis and Jake Rodgers got stuck in.
Final scores: Eagles 10-13 (73) def Bombers 4-5 (29) (Augusta Oval).
Goals: Eagles: Samson Thorson, Creed Griffith 3; Jordan Oakes, Brody Minchin, Rhys Willmott, Kyle Spence. Bombers: Jim Meleri 3; Lewis Becker. Best: Eagles: Will Young, Dylan Francis, Hugh Hoban, Creed Griffith, Jack Beech, Kieren Renolds, Jade Russell. Bombers: Sean Becker, Lincoln Adams, Tom Riordan, Bailey Ellis, Jake Rodgers, Fraser Halden, Corey Hedley.
U13s Roos v Cowaramup
Blustery conditions made it difficult for the Roos to convert. Sam Monkhouse scored the first goal in his usual effortless style. Cowaramup bravely tackled players twice their size with some fearless shepherding from Sollie Edwards.
A big run by Roo Tiger Wholagan to full forward delivered the ball to Finn Haslau who snapped a great goal. Although play was congested in the Roos’ forward pocket, with fierce defence from Cowaramup, it did not stop Koa Hatchett taking a cracker of a mark and booting it through for a goal.
By the final quarter the Roos had found their legs and played as a team with good skills. Carlos 'Kickalot' Mifsud booted five goals, including a classic banana.
Final score: Roos 13-8 (86) def Cowaramup 1-4 (10).
Roos’ best: Bailey Hales, Brody Reynolds, Tristan, Blake Haslau. Roos’ goals: Carlos Mifsud 5; Sam Monkhouse 3; Finn Haslau 2.
-Marie Tweedie
11s Roos v Cowaramup Bulls
The Roos 11s played a brilliant game at Nippers oval after a week off. From the first bounce they showed passion to get to the ball first and move it forward as a team.
The Bulls had a tough time getting the ball forward, often when they did the Roos’ full back of the quarter mopped up the ball. The Roos scored several great goals, in the last quarter Jaikie Hastie kicked a couple at full forward on a much taller opponent and Noah Sunderland snapped a great goal from the pocket.
Roo's best players in a great team effort; Hudson Spooner, Taj Hedley, Frank Bennett, Roly Kyme.
-Steve Kyme
11s Sharks v Augusta
The Augusta Magpies at home were very strong over the ball and good at being in position a kick either side of the play. Perran Fisher was one of the Sharks’ best players up forward and Nick Liebenberg was rock solid and took strong marks in defence. Reece Morrison was also among the best, running the ball out of defence for the Sharks.
In the final quarter the Sharks’ defenders did a great job manning up against the Magpies’ forwards, and it took some brilliance from Declan and Macca out of the Magpies midfield to break the lines.
This was a first experience at rotating off the bench for the Sharks, and they were great sports at taking turns on the interchange.
-Michael Lochore
9s Roos v Eagles
This was a close and evenly matched contest, with improvement on both sides. Best players for Roos were Jacob Graham, solid around the ground picking up a number of positions, Jacob Gravett played in his first game return and Angus Currell strong in defence.
-Mark Graham
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