Swans try to deny Nullawil a premiership hat-trick
THE Swans from Moulamein will be aiming to deny Nullawil a premiership hat-trick when they meet in Saturday’s senior footy grand final in the Golden Rivers Football Netball League.
It will be a tough task for Moulamein as Nullawil is the grand final venue.
The Maroons were the league’s top team in 2018 and ’19 and take on a club which has not won a senior premiership since 1988.
Nullawil won both showdowns with Moulamein in the regular season by margins of 93 and 74 points.
In both matches it was the Maroons who dominated the centre clearances and stoppages to set up plenty of chances for a powerful attack.
Nullawil scored 150 points against the Swans in the seventh round, and 128 in the 14th round on Moulamein’s turf.
The Swans kicked off the finals with a 104-60 victory against Wandella in the first semi at Hay.
Nullawil dominated the second semi final against Quambatook on the Saints’ turf.
Mitch Farmer kicked seven goals as Andrew Oberdorfer added four and Jordan Humphreys chipped in with three in a 123-46 victory.
Best for the Maroons were Patrick Kelly, Jordan Humphreys, Zac Kelly and Mitch Farmer.
In last Saturday’s preliminary final, Moulamein was down 31-47 at half-time of the clash with Quambatook at Wandella.
The Swans won the third quarter, 23-1, and 21-20 in the last to complete a 75-68 victory.
Josh Flight booted two majors as Moulamein had nine goalkickers.
Best for the Swans were Will Gibson, Cody Storm, Josh Flight and Ely Miller.
A big focus for Moulamein in the grand final will be the midfield and on-ball contests.
The Swans’ centreline of Nickolas Miller, Rodney Reeves and Ely Miller faces a big task against Zac Kelly, Daniel Watts and Billy Forrester.
Moulamein ruckman Dean Putt is up against Anthony Daw.
A Swans’ defence led by Cody Storm, Heath Moloney, Jack Jones and Nathan Buckley will work to limit the impact that Maroons’ stars Mitch Farmer, Andrew Oberdorfer, Josh Bamford and Grant Ford have on the contest.
The marking power of Josh Flight is a major strength in a Moulamein attack that includes Beau Duggan-Hulands and Zach Prentice.
Nullawil’s defence led by Brett Barker, Angus Forrester and Jordan Humphreys has had a superb season.
It will be a showdown between Murrabit and Wandella for the reserves premiership.
The Blues from Murrabit were first to the grand final after an 81-49 win against Nullawil in the second semi at Quambatook.
Brody Green, Simon Morton, Nicholas Hein and Sean Gillen were Murrabit’s best.
Wandella won a thrilling first semi final against Macorna.
The Bombers were up 98-96 when the final siren sounded at Hay.
In the preliminary final, Jack Danckert kicked six goals and Michael Rowe added three as Wandella marked a 95-74 win against Nullawil.
Ian and Andrew Charles, Jack Danckert and Jordan Robertson were best for the Bombers.
The Blues won both of the regular season matches against the Bombers by 52 and 44 points.
Hay takes on Ultima to decide the under-17 premiers.
The Lions beat the Roos by 54 points in round four, and won the Naidoc Round match on July 9 by 33 points.
Hay’s run included a 134-43 victory against Macorna in the second semi as Jack Headon kicked four goals, Tom Davies and Jensen Hargreaves chipped in with three, and Brad Callghan and Archie Houston added two each.
Ultima won the first semi against Nullawil by 27 points and stayed in the premiership race after a 54-49 victory against Macorna in the preliminary final.
The Roos led 35-27 at half-time before the Tigers won the third quarter, 2.1 to 1.1.
Ultima won the last term, 12-9, as Jack Miller, Quinn Grey, Ed Kuchel and Sam Miller were best for the Roos.
First grand final to be decided will be in the under-14 ½ competition where Wandella takes on Murrabit.
The Bombers marked a 25-19 win against Macorna in the second semi.
A 64-7 win by the Blues from Murrabit against Ultima in the first semi was followed by a 43-25 result against Macorna in the preliminary final.
In round five the Bombers won 44-25 on Murrabit’s turf.
Wandella scored a 60-18 win against the Blues in the 12th round in the Bombers’ hangar.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Nullawil Football Oval:
Under-14 ½ at 8.55am: Wandella v Murrabit.
Under-17 ½ at 10.10am: Hay v Ultima.
Reserves at 12.15pm: Murrabit v Wandella.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Nullawil v Moulamein.
Written by Nathan Dole.
