Border Mail Round 5 – Review
BROCK-BURRUM has withstood a spirited comeback from Henty to prevail by 10-points at Henty on Saturday.
Former AFL player Cameron Cloke made a one-off appearance for the Swampies.
Swampies coach Joel Price swung the changes at half-time, including switching Cloke from up forward and into the ruck.
Damian Cupido also played across half-back after having little impact up forward in the first-half.
The home side booted six goals to two in the second-half as the Saints held on to win 7.14 (56) to 6.10 (46).
Saints coach Kade Stevens said the victory was a lot more gritty than pretty.
“It was fairly blustery conditions which made scoring difficult,” Stevens said.
“But sometimes you just have to grind out a win, take the four points and move on.
“Today was one of them.”
RAND-Walbundrie-Walla put their season back on track with a gutsy three-point win over Billabong Crows at Oaklands on Saturday.
After a disappointing performance against Lockhart last weekend, the Giants kicked the final two goals of the match to beat the home team 6.10 (46) to 5.13 (43).
The loss saw the Crows drop from top to fifth spot on the ladder.
Giants coach Myles Aalbers put his side in front with about 15 minutes remaining with the dying stages turning into a dour slog in windy conditions.
“I was really pleased with our effort because it was never going to be pretty in those conditions,” Aalbers said.
“The boys kept at it and the wheel eventually turned.
“It was important to go into the break 3-2 because it’s a very even competition.”
Defenders Tom Holman, Kurt Jensen, Josh Star and Jonathon Grove played well for the Giants while Jack and Chris Duck and Justin Gordon were strong through the midfield.
The Crows should have led by more than eight points at half-time with star recruit Bronson Schofield best afield.
Big Zac Kerr was resolute at full-back and ruckman Harry Stonnill won the majority of the hit-outs.
Culcairn defeated Jindera by 68 points.
Dane Hallinan, 200-gamer Nat Stroh and Jye Shields picked up plenty of possessions while Adam Prior provided a target kicking 4.7.
Injured coach Andrew Wilson (hand) could only watch on as the Bulldogs suffered more injuries.
“It was good to start well because Jindera has been playing some good footy,” Lion coach Josh Hillary.
“We’ve had a tough run over the first five games so 3-2 isn’t a bad start to the season.
“It would be better to be 4-1 but we aren’t going too badly.”
Tom Weldon and Jonathon Kalina tried hard for Jindera.
Osborne rebounded from last weekend’s flat performance by defeating Holbrook by 34 points.
The Tigers made better use of the breeze with Mitch Wickham, Clancy Galvin, Izaac McDonnell and Sam Livingstone performing well.
Jake Way and Josh Jones were best for Holbrook.
New ladder leader Lockhart cruised to a 25-point win over CDHBU with recruit Sean Wilkinson playing his best match for the Demons.
Howlong accounted for Murray Magpies by 112 points.
