PENSHURST set a showdown for next Saturday with Glenthompson-Dunkeld after regaining its winning Mininera and District Football League form against Great Western at home, 23.22 (160) to 2.3 (15), on Saturday.

The Bombers needed to claim the points to maintain their hold on fifth spot, especially since the Rams were victorious and sit only two points behind them in sixth.

“It was a pleasing, sustained four-quarter effort but we still have areas we want to fine tune but largely it was a good whole team performance,” Penshurst coach, Cameron Penny said.

“Our midfield continued their strong & consistent form with a couple of noteworthy mentions to key position players in Jacob Mibus and Jack Kruger, they both played pivotal roles on Saturday.”

“Also, Henry Bensch had an excellent half-forward performance in kicking seven goals.”

“Great Western’s mids and backs battled hard all game and we certainly had to work hard to implement our gameplay all day.”

The Bombers got through the game unscathed and had no injuries to report, while also expecting to gain a couple of players back before next Saturday.  

“No injuries from yesterday with a few to come back next week presents a good challenge at the selection table for next weekend,” Penny said.

Other games

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD continued its great late season form by defeating SMW Rovers at Mininera Recreation Reserve on Saturday, 17.12 (114) to 6.5 (41).

The visitors ran into the wind for the first term, and they posted five majors to the Bulldogs two as they opened a 19-point lead at the first change of ends.

The Rams had Matt Lowe back on the ground for the second match in succession after their best player had been missing for several games and the match fitness was back in his legs, as he produced a best on ground performance for the visitors.

By the time the siren sounded for half time, the Rams had opened a 51-point lead to take the wind out of the Bulldogs’ sails, but they came out in the third term looking to take the game up to the Rams and they ended up matching the Rams goal for goal.

The final quarter had the visitors back in control as they added four more goals to their tally and the Rams ran out winners by 73 points.

Rams coach, Simon Hatherell said using the conditions to their advantage early on was critical.

“Kicking into the breeze we were able to get a four-goal lead and that set the day up, as Tyler Fehsler got on top in the ruck, giving our on-ballers first use of the ball and we had enough forward entries to get a score,” Glenthompson-Dunkeld coach, Simon Hatherell said.

“After that I felt Rovers picked up their game and it was a much tighter contest from there on.”

Lowe’s influence was a welcome inclusion for Glenthompson-Dunkeld, with Hatherell grateful to have him back in the mix in the lead-up to finals.

“Matt is a very good footballer, and he is our co-captain and does everything right off the field to ensure he is in a good place to play well each week,” Hatherell said.

“Matt reads the play well and uses his high-quality skills to execute his decisions and any team is a better side with Matt Lowe in it.

“Rovers are a solid team across the board without any superstar players and their coach, David Box, got a fair bit of the ball so we needed to put a lock on him to curb his influence.

“We got through unscathed on the weekend so that a real positive going into the last couple rounds but what’s even better is our reserves had another win and are still in the top three.”

CARAMUT battled hard against second-placed Tatyoon away from home and can be proud of keeping its hosts to only 17 goals in going down 3.0 (18) to 17.17 (119), as Andrew Maconachie, Mathew Smith, Anthony Rosato, Luke Soligo, William Henderson and Samuel Phillips led the way for the home side.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE hosted Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and came away with a hard-fought victory, 11.16 (82) to 5.4 (34), as William Paulin, Matthew Pemberton, James Coghlan West, Sam Uwland and Liam Meekes led the way for the home side.

EIGHTEEN goals weren’t enough for Michael Lockyer to be named among Lismore-Derrinallum’s best players, as the Demons posted the highest score of the round to defeat Hawkesdale-Macarthur, 41.21 (267) to 2.2 (14), as  Lachlan Isbister, Beau Ketchen, Steven Ryan and William Beever took out the after-match awards.

ARARAT posted a huge victory against Moyston-Willaura away, slamming through 40 goals to defeat the Pumas, 40.23 (263) to 3.1 (19), as Jaydo Wright, Nick Dunford, Zachary Jenkins, Damian Joiner and Adrian Reid all played their roles for the visitors.