Eastern Riverina Chronicle – Round 18 – Review

Cupido required just two goals going into the final home and away round of the season and had that ticked off within minutes.

He mesmerized the Rand Walbundrie Walla defence kicking a match total of 10 that included four in the first five minutes at Henty.

His tally sits at 108 with his nearest rival Trent Castles (Jindera) also close to the ton with 96 going into this week’s semi finals.

The former AFL star played 53 matches at Essendon and Brisbane during his six-year career at the highest-level booting 60 goals.

He is a major factor in the Swampies going into this year’s finals series as a red-hot favorite to take the premiership.

He became the first Henty player to kick the magical 100 since Steve Hetherton who completed the feat in the 1996 season.

Cupido has twice previously kicked over 100 in a season at Ouyen United and Southern Districts in the Northern Territory.

Henty with Azzi Medal fancy Daniel Cox again in great form were too strong for the Giants running out 72-point winners to finish minor premiers.

After threatening all year for a finals’ position the Giants’ inconsistency and a tough draw proved too much in the final wash up as they finished in seventh place.

The Swampies with still some players to come back in will take on Brock Burrum Saints in the second semifinal on September 8. Both teams have this week off.

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LOCKHART avoided the wooden spoon with a determined effort against Holbrook at Lockhart. The Demons went down by 28 points.

The Brookers’ inaccuracy in front of goal kept Lockhart in the match after a very even first half had the game in the balance.

Despite dominating inside fifties in the second half, Holbrook could not put the Demons away in a hard-fought encounter.

Jordan Harrington, in what could have been his final game at Lockhart, was best afield collecting over 40 possessions.

Charlie White, Brad Carman, Aaron Baker and Andrew Mackinlay stood out for Holbrook who ran out the game well in the last term.

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CULCAIRN finished two-and-a-half games clear in sixth place when they over the Murray Magpies after half-time to win by 64 points.

Denis Peddemont and Tim Haines were good focal points up forward along with Tim Hallinan, with the trio kicking 10 goals between them.

In a surprise move Phil Packer, the outgoing coach made a cameo appearance for the Magpies and didn’t disappoint with four goals.

The shining light in a disappointing season was forward Ash Murray finishing third on the goalkickers list with a season tally of 62.

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OSBORNE continued its good form with an easy win over the badly undermanned and injury hit CDHBU winning by 64 points at Coreen.

Sam Rutland maintains his excellent late season form that has netted him nine goals in the past fortnight, while Isaac McDonnell starred.

After kicking the first two goals the Power fell away, with the visitors second quarter reaping seven goals to one.

Tim Cooper in his return from injury was best for the Power. CDHBU after a promising mid season surge got hit badly by the injury stick.

Billabong Crows pushed the Saints to the limit during the first half before the powerful Saints kicked away in the second half.

Josh McCudden played a season best game with six goals, while Nick Brockley booted four in an ominous display ahead of finals.

Zac Kerr, Tim Austin and Jimmy O’Connell were best for Crows who ended up with a rewarding four wins for the season.

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JINDERA kicked a big total for the second week in a row, when they had little trouble in defeating Howlong by 103 points at Howlong.

Trent Castles kicked six goals for the Bulldogs with good support from Nathan Chammings and Jacob Millar who both kicked four.

The Spiders after winning its first three matches fell away to finish the season with seven wins and 11 losses.

A massive first week of the finals with both elimination finals assured of hosting big crowds with old rivals pitted against each other.

Holbrook and Culcairn go into battle on Saturday while Sunday’s encounter will see last year’s grand finalists, Osborne and Jindera, face off.

FINALS DRAW WEEK ONE

ELIMINATION FINALS

• Saturday – Holbrook v Culcairn
• Sunday – Osborne v Jindera