Eastern Riverina Chronicle – Round 16 – Review

Currently, the Lions are half-a-game in front of the Giants and a win by them would see them secure a finals’ spot going into the last round.

For the Giants to play finals they must win their last two games as Culcairn will start a warm favourite in its round 18 match versus Magpies.

The Giants’ final round opponent is a tough encounter at home against Henty.

A win over Culcairn this week, and a loss to Henty, would see them likely to miss out.

Rand Walbundrie Walla looked gone for all money two weeks ago, however big wins away to Osborne at home to Jindera have resurrected their season.

The Lions again did what no other team has could do this year – beat flag favourites, Henty, for the second time this season at Henty.

A dominant first half and a resilient second half performance ensured the Lions got home in an upset to win by 15 points.

The loss for the Swampies put a dampener on veteran Matt Kilo’s 400th senior match, who had been recalled after number one ruckman Chris Willis was unavailable.

Damian Cupido kept the Swampies in the game with five goals, but it was the Lions attack of Dennis Pedemont (four goals), John Robbins (three goals) and Tim Haines (two goals) who did more damage.

Former Brisbane Lions player Jared Brennan was outstanding for Henty with good support from William Farrer, Beau Connell and Josh Singe.

****

RAND Walbundrie Walla kept alive its season with a super impressive win over Jindera at Walla, winning by 47 points.

Jindera, who have now lost four of its last five games, got within10 points during the final term before the Giants rammed home six straight goals to complete a significant victory.

Giants backman Brian Lieschke was outstanding keeping the Bulldogs star forward Trent Castles goalless for the first time this season.

Dan Lieschke was another wonderful contributor with good support from Sam Hargreave, Todd Miller and Mitch Thomas.

Matt Osborne, Will King, Matt Crawshaw and Mitch Lawrence were best for the Bulldogs, who now looked destined to finish fifth and face a final’s clash with Osborne.

****

HOLBROOK’S thumping 105-point win over CDHBU at Coreen has seen it jump to third place on the ladder and a finals appearance assured.

The Brookers’ last finals campaign was back in 2013 when they were beaten in the grand final by Brock Burrum Saints.

The return to the field of coach Matt Sharpe and Isaac Lampe, after missing most of the first half of the season, has seen the Brookers emerge into a real threat.

Curtis Steele, Sam Harris and Coby Ross dominated in midfield, while up forward Ben Talarico and Andrew Mackinlay both kicked four goals.

The Power after a competitive start to the game fell away in the second half with injuries to key players seeing them limp to the finish.

****

BROCK Burrum proved too classy for an improved Howlong winning by 44 points at Howlong with Josh McCudden the star kicking five goals.

John Roy-Williams continued his scintillating form of late with another best on ground effort.

Chris Boulton and Darcy I’Anson were others to shine.

Howlong were much improved from the previous week despite missing star onballer Steve Jolliffe who suffered a finger injury at Holbrook.

Brett Lefoe, Matt Lee and Ben Baker were excellent over the four quarters.

The loss has now ended the Spiders’ finals hopes.

****

BILLABONG Crows made it four wins for the season with a hard-fought eight-point win over an inaccurate Lockhart at Oaklands.

The visitors had seven more scoring shots but still came up short with the Crows win almost certainly ensuring they don’t take out the wooden spoon.

Dominic Buntin and Al Austin stood out for the Crows, while Michael O’Riordan with three goals was a constant threat to the Demons.

Blake Jones, Andrew Emery, Jamie Clough and Jordan Harrington were best for Lockhart.

The Demons will finish the season with games against Henty and Holbrook.

****

OSBORNE had little trouble in defeating Murray Magpies at Urana Road Oval, winning comfortably by 101 points.

The Cats reacted strongly to the home defeat by the Giants the week before and gave one of its best four quarter performances for the season.

Kodie O’Malley and Marty Bahr both kicked four goals, while Jamie Parr and coach Matt Rava dominated the clearances and midfield.

ROUND 17

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