Eastern Riverina Chronicle – Round 15 – Review

It has given hope to the Giants, despite a very tough run home that includes games against Jindera, Culcairn and Henty.

They currently sit in eight position but only two points from sixth-placed Culcairn and seventh-placed Howlong, who were both comfortably beaten.

The Giants were magnificent in their win away to Osborne with six straight goals in the final term blowing the Cats out of the game, as Giants won by 29 points.

Sam Hargreave had his best game for the season for the Giants and got terrific support from Justin Gordon, Brendan Simmons and Myles Aalbers.

The game was goal-for-goal until the final term, with Osborne forward Connor Galvin the home team’s star with six goals.

****

HOLBROOK looks almost certain to return to finals action for the first time in five years after they gave Howlong an 88-point hiding at Holbrook.

After a sluggish start Holbrook completely dominated the final three quarters kicking 18 of the last 21 goals with Andrew Mackinlay booting a career high nine.

Curtis Steele continued his wonderful form in midfield, while William Heriot, Coby Ross, Lachie Trethowan and Isaac Lampe performed well.

The Brookers’ win and Osborne’s loss has seen the Brookers move into fourth place, while Osborne has dropped to fifth.

The loss has almost surely ended the Spiders’ season with its poor percentage and matches against Brock Burrum, Osborne and Jindera in the final three rounds.

****

JINDERA, who did not win a game in July, bounced back in great fashion with a 60-point win over Culcairn at Jindera.

The match highlight was a 12-goal effort from Trent Castles who now leads the league goal-kicking title race by one from Henty’s Damian Cupido with 84 goals.

The match started with a cracking first half as both teams traded goal for goal in a 17-goal half that had Jindera ahead by just six points.

The Dogs turned on the class in the second half with a six goal third term, followed up by an impressive seven in the final stanza.

Mitch Lawrence was superb for the Bulldogs along with Jessie Harris, Tom Weldon (in game number 250), and big man Ben Dower.

The Lions’ best was forward Dennis Pedemont with four goals, while Joel Merkel, three goals, and Jye Shields, also stood out.

Culcairn has two massive weeks ahead with Henty away this Saturday and then what appears to be a virtual elimination final at home to Giants.

****

BROCK Burrum Saints sent a reminder to flag favorites Henty that they will be up and about come finals with a 184 demolition of Murray Magpies at Burrumbuttock.

After a competitive first term the Saints cut loose to kick the final 25 goals of the game in an awesome display of running football.

Kade Garland booted eight goals for the victors, while fellow forwards Josh McCudden and Adam I’Anson both snagged six goals.

Josh Senior, Alex Popko and Daniel Maher tried hard for the Magpies who only managed a single behind after quarter time.

****

HENTY, as expected, had too much class for the Billabong Crows at Oaklands winning by 104 points with Damian Cupido dominating.

The former AFL star booted 11 goals in a brilliant display as the Crows defenders simply had no answer to him and Jarrah Maksymow (four goals).

Daniel Cox, despite missing a month of football with a hamstring injury, dominated again with a superb display gaining well over 30 possessions.

The Swampies sit two games clear and percentage of the Saints with followers and supporters of the league anticipating some titanic clashes ahead in the finals series.

****

CDHBU kept alive its slim finals prospects with a hard earned 23-point win over Lockhart, at Lockhart, in a tough encounter.

The Power led from start to finish with the experience of Tim Cooper, Brad Talbot, Kade Rowe and Mick Collins pivotal in the clinches.

CDHBU must win at home this week against Holbrook and, if results go their way in other matches, could be inside the top six.

They do have a tough final two rounds with matches against the Saints and a final home game in round 18 versus Osborne.

At the bottom of the table the race to avoid the wooden spoon is a tight battle as well with Magpies, Lockhart and Crows all level on points and just 3 per cent difference.

THIS WEEK

• CDHBU v Holbrook
• Henty v Culcairn
• Howlong v Brock Burrum
• Billabong Crows v Lockhart
• Murray Magpies v Osborne
• Rand Walb Walla v Jindera (Walla)