Quambatook at home for second semi against Nullawil
QUAMBATOOK has home-ground advantage as it tackles Nullawil in Saturday’s second semi-final in the Golden Rivers senior footy competition.
The winner advances to the September 10 grand final at Nullawil.
For the beaten team it’s another chance to stay in the premiership race, but they will do it the hard way by facing Moulamein in the September 3 preliminary final at Wandella.
A 15-1 record put Nullawil on top of the ladder as Quambatook, 13-3, was next best.
It’s one-all in this season’s meetings between Nullawil and Quambatook.
In round one, Nullawil won 151-41 on Quamby’s turf as Mitch Farmer kicked seven goals in a best afield performance and Andrew Oberdorfer added five goals.
Best for Nullawil included Andrew Casey, Grant Ford, Jordan Humphreys, Patrick Kelly and Matt Quigley.
Matthew George, Michael Bradbury, Luke Parker and Jordan Lambi worked hard for Quambatook.
It was a 112-point turnaround when the teams met in round eight at Nullawil.
Quambatook made a flying start to lead 26-2 at quarter-time and 46-12 by the long break.
The third was won by Nullawil, 27-14, and the fourth by the home, 22-3, but it was Quamby which marked a 63-61 victory.
Nick Mason kicked three goals for Quambatook as Brad Organ added two.
It was a match-high five goals by Mitch Farmer.
Best for Quambatook were Nick Birthisel, Nick Mason, Brad Organ and Michael Bradbury.
Nullawil’s best were Jordan Humphreys, Daniel Watts, Cameron Streeter and Zac Kelly.
Key players for Nullawil include Kyle Doran, Angus Forrester and Jordan Humphreys in defence; Daniel Watts in the centre, Josh Bamford and Grant Ford on the forward flanks.
A powerful Nullawil attack is led by Mitch Farmer, 76 goals in 13 matches; Andrew Casey, 47; Matt Quigley, 33; and Daniel Watts, 20.
The Quambatook Saints have named Luke Parker at full-back to take on Mitch Farmer.
Other key players for Quambatook include Nick Mason in the ruck, Ashley Davis at centre half-back, Martin Angus and Brad Organ across half-forward.
Leading goalkickers for the Saints are Will Collicoat, 32; Ashley Murray, 31; Nick Mason, 24; Brady Tillig, 18; Ricky Wild, 17; and Jordan Lampi, 14.
In the reserves, Nullawil takes on Murrabit.
It’s one-all in this season’s meetings.
Nullawil won 98-17 at home in round four, but Murrabit struck back for a 66-35 victory in the 11th round.
In the run to the finals, Nullawil marked a win-loss of 13-2 and a draw.
Murrabit finished the home and away series in second place on an 11-5 record.
After a 98-96 win against Macorna in the first semi, Wandella will face the beaten team in the September 3 preliminary final at Wandella.
In the under-17 ½ competition, Macorna will start favourite against Hay.
Both had a 13-3 record in the regular season, but it was Macorna which won 42-32 in round 17, and 62-37 at Hay in the 14th round.
Ultima scored a 27-point win against Nullawil in the first semi played at Hay.
Second semi-final day kicks off with the under-14 ½ match between Wandella and Macorna.
The Wandella line-up won 33-9 at Macorna in round four and followed up with a 68-nil victory in the next contest in Naidoc round.
It’s been a 16-nil run for Wandella to the finals, while Macorna has a win-loss tally of 11-4 and a draw.
In last Saturday’s first semi, Murrabit dominated in a 64-7 result against Ultima.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Quambatook:
Under-14 ½ at 9.35am: Wandella v Macorna.
Under-17 ½ at 10.40am: Hay v Macorna.
Reserves at 12.35pm: Nullawil v Murrabit.’
Seniors at 2.40pm: Nullawil v Quambatook.
