BY NATHAN DOLE
Ultima bounds into grand final clash with Hay
THE Kangaroos from Ultima have bounced into back-to-back senior footy grand finals in the Golden Rivers competition.
Ultima dominated Saturday’s preliminary final showdown with Wandella to earn a crack at reigning premier Hay in the season decider.
The Roos and Lions met last September where Hay claimed victory.
A rematch of the grand finalists will be at Hay Park.
Ultima capitalised on home-ground advantage to dominate the preliminary final clash with Wandella.
A tally of nine scoring shots to just two in the opening term was a sign of things to come.
Ultima led 3.6 (24) to 1.1 (7) at the first break and then slammed on seven goals in the second as it kept the Bombers to a goal.
By half-time Ultima led 70-13.
The Kangaroos’ pressure and run did not ease up across the final hour.
Ultima won the third term, 27-6, and then added five goals in the last quarter to complete a 133-25 victory.
A great sign for the Kangaroos was not just its attacking prowess to score 19 goals, but also defensive play to hold the red and black to a score of 4.1 (25).
Ultima’s attack was led by Jay Reynolds on four goals as Ricky Wild chipped in with three.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Roos were Bailey Codling, Ryan Devereux, Corey Grey and Cameron Johnson with two.
Wandella’s sole goalkicker was Michael Rowe on four.
Best for Ultima were Caillum Brady, Ricky Wild, Bailey Codling and Jamie Nicholas.
The Bombers’ best were Tim Robinson, Ryan Lancaster, Michael Rowe and John Cooper.
In the reserves competition, Murrabit dominated its match with Hay.
The Blues led 21-9 at half-time and then slammed on 5.3 as it kept the Lions scoreless in the third quarter.
Murrabit added another three majors in the last and also capped a great second half in which Hay did not score.
By the final siren Murrabit led 74-9.
The Blues’ attack was led by Josh Bray and Darcy Hetherington on four and two goals as Matt Davies, Brett McCombe, Darcy Hetherington and Riley Carse were best.
Hay’s best were Jack O’Brien, Simon Darlow, Liam Whitbourne and Jack Bone.
It was a dramatic finish to the under-17 ½ preliminary final between Ultima and Wandella.
The Kangaroos rued inaccurate kicking as they went to half-time on a score of 1.7 after Wandella had scored 2.4.
Both teams added a goal in the third as the Bombers led 23-22 going into the final term.
Ultima lifted to score 2.2 as the Bombers were held to 1.2.
At the final siren the Kangaroos were up, 36-31.
The only multiple goalkicker for the match was Ultima’s Kodyn Melbourne on two.
Best for the Kangaroos were Ed Kuchel, Riley Hender, Lachlan Bull and Billy O’Toole.
Wandella’s best were Will Hogg, Laing Waddingham, Blake and Myles Greenwood.
Preliminary final day kicked off with the under-14 ½ match between Hay and Wandella.
The Bombers led 12-1 at quarter-time, but Hay hit back to win the second, 14-nil.
Hay’s young guns worked incredibly hard to score 2.2 in the third, and more importantly kept the Bombers scoreless.
The Lions won the last, 12-6, to complete a 41-18 victory.
Alex Giddins led Hay’s attack on three goals.
Wandella’s leading goalkicker was Seth Rowe on two.
Best for Hay were Max Hutchings, Dallas Giddins, Noa Koroi and Seth May.
Charlie Mellington, Seth Rowe, Jackson Barker and Zander Burton played well for the red and black.
Golden Rivers preliminary final scoreboard at Ultima:
Ultima 3.6 10.10 14.13 19.19 (133)
Wandella 1.1 2.1 3.1 4.1 (25)
GOALS – Ultima: Jay Reynolds 4, Ricky Wild 3, Bailey Codling, Ryan Devereux, Corey Grey, Cameron Johnson 2, Brodie Bennett, Ryan Featherby, Jamie Nicholas, Will Nelson. Wandella: Michael Rowe.
BEST – Ultima: Caillum Brady, Ricky Wild, Bailey Codling, Jamie Nicholas, Zac Cattlin, Mitch Makepeace. Wandella: Tim Robinson, Ryan Lancaster, Michael Rowe, John Cooper, Jonty Taylor, Oliver Macartney.
Reserves:
Murrabit 2.1 3.3 8.6 11.8 (74)
Hay 0.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 (9)
GOALS – Murrabit: Josh Bray 4, Darcy Hetherington 2, Riley Carse, Justin Davies, David Toohey, Cooper Williams, Ashton Wood. Hay: Mitch Busch.
BEST – Murrabit: Matt Davies, Brett McCombe, Darcy Hetherington, Riley Carse, Simon Ettershank, Darcy Gillen. Hay: Jack O’Brien, Simon Darlow, Liam Whitbourne, Jack Bone, Will Rutledge, Andrew Low.
Under-17 ½:
Ultima 0.3 1.7 2.10 4.12 (36)
Wandella 2.2 2.4 3.5 4.7 (31)
GOALS – Ultima: Kodyn Melbourne 2, Sam Miller, Archie O’Toole. Wandella: Jaspa Chamberlain, Archer Lancaster, Seth Rowe, Parker Treacy.
BEST – Ultima: Edward Kuchel, Riley Hender, Lachlan Bull, Billy O’Toole, Rory Bell, Kodyn Melbourne. Wandella: Will Hogg, Laing Waddingham, Blake Greenwood, Myles Greenwood, Archer Lancaster, Kane Wilson.
Under-14 ½:
Hay 0.1 2.3 4.5 6.5 (41)
Wandella 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 (18)
GOALS – Hay: Alex Giddins 3, Dallas Giddins, Noa Koroi, Liam Young. Wandella: Seth Rowe 2, Oscar Greenwood.
BEST – Hay: Max Hutchings, Dallas Giddins, Noa Koroi, Seth May, Kyper Woods, Bill Houston. Wandella: Charlie Mellington, Seth Rowe, Jackson Barker, Zander Burton, Oscar Greenwood, Blake O’Halloran.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Hay Park:
Under-14 ½ at 8.55am: Murrabit v Hay.
Under-17 ½ at 10.15am: Macorna v Ultima.
Reserves at 12.05pm: Ultima v Murrabit.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Hay v Ultima.
PHOTO – Helen Bennett