GRFNL Round 8 Football Review | Blues beat Bombers in thriller at Murrabit

BY NATHAN DOLE

THE Murrabit Blues marked their first win of the Golden Rivers FNL’s senior footy season Saturday’s eighth round showdown with Wandella at Murrabit.

The inclusion of Sydney Swans great and gun on-baller Josh Kennedy through the Carlton Draft was a massive plus for the Blues in their clash with the Bombers.

Murrabit led 26-2 at quarter-time and 45-23 by the long break.

The Bombers struck back to win the third term, 15-13.

Eyeing its first victory since August 6, Murrabit was under pressure in the last, but a score of 2.1 to 4.5 was enough for the Blues to clinch a 71-67 victory.

Former Brisbane Lion and Essendon forward Damian Cupido again led Murrabit’s attack on four goals as Morgan Randall added two.

Kennedy was among best and kicked a goal.

Multiple goalkickers for Wandella were Michael Rowe, four, and Logan Keighran, two.

Murrabit’s best were Nathan O’Toole, Dustin Blake, Damian Cupido, Josh Kennedy, Michael Crossett and Sean Gillen.

Best for Wandella were Adam Ward, Jonty Taylor, Jarred Schiltz, Ryan Lancaster, Tim Robinson and Michael Rowe.

Ultima’s unbeaten run kept rolling, although the Kangaroos were under the pump in the final term at Macorna.

The Roos led 78-39 at three quarter-time, but the Tigers never gave up and scored 5.1 to 1.1 in the last.

At the final siren it was Ultima in front, 85-70.

Jack Fletcher, Corey Grey and Kyle Symons kicked three goals apiece for Ultima as Jye Purtill chipped in with two.

Macorna’s attack was led by Chris Wilson, four, and captain Malcolm Neiwand, two.

Best for Ultima were Darcy Farrell, Caillum Brady, Luke Doolan, Kyle Symons, Tyler Makepeace and Jamie Nicholas.

Nick Ingleton, Grady Smith, Toby and Sam Whinfield, Lachlan Thompson and Lachlan Ritchie played well for the yellow and black.

Moulamein marked a 14-point win at Hay.

The Swans led 37-12 at half-time of the clash in the Lions’ den.

Led by the play of Will Gibson, Cody Storm and Eddy Schiffelre, Moulamein kicked away to lead 62-32 at a quarter to go.

Hay hit back to score 4.2 to 1.4 in the final term as Moulamein won 72-58.

Multiple goalkickers for Moulamein were Khy Stovell, three; Daniel Aarsman and Josh Flight on two.

Hay co-captain Kenneth Jubb kicked four goals.

The Swans’ best included Luke Shannon, Khy Stovell and Daniel Aarsman.

Best for Hay were James Moran, Tom McGufficke, Kenneth Jubb, co-captain Brad Pocock, Daniel Zambon and Andrew Low.

Golden Rivers FNL senior footy ladder:

Ultima 179 per cent, 32 points; Moulamein 128, 28; Hay 105, 16; Macorna 101, 12; Wandella 71, 4; Murrabit 54, 4.

Leaders in the goalkicking race:

28 Damian Cupido, Murrabit.

23 Andy Silva, Moulamein.

22 Lachlan Ritchie, Macorna.

20 Daniel Aarsman, Moulamein.

17 Simon Bunyan, Hay.

15 Khy Stovell, Moulamein.

14 Ryan Devereux, Ultima.

14 Amos Farrell, Moulamein.

14 Troy Parker, Macorna.

11 Fergus Cattanach, Hay.

11 Josh Walters, Macorna.

10 Blake Azzopardi, Moulamein.

10 Jack Delmenico, Ultima.

There is no play on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend of June 10-12.

Clubs kick off the second half of the home and away series on June 17 when Moulamein and Ultima meet in the clash of second and first on Moulamein’s turf.

Hay hosts Wandella in the clash of the Lions and Bombers.

Murrabit is on home turf to play Macorna.