HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR has recorded a percentage-boosting win against SMW Rovers at Hawkesdale Rec Reserve on the weekend to win 19.8 (122) to 4.8 (32) in round 11 of the Mininera and District Football League (MDFL) senior competition.

The first half was a strong battle between the two sides with the Bulldogs proving they were up for the challenge as they matched the home side in much of the play.

At half time, the Eagles led by a narrow margin of just 19 points and the game was on the line, both sides determined to get the upper hand and advance up the ladder.

The premiership quarter belonged to Hawkesdale-Macarthur as it proved that it was a class above SMW Rovers to obliterate them kicking straight with 7.1 (43) for the quarter to no score.

The straight kicking in front of the big sticks ripped away any chances the visitors had of coming back as the Eagles made them pay converting on almost every forward 50 entry.

Andrew McCartney was the focal point in the forward line and finished the day with a massive bag of seven goals.

The momentum continued into the last term as the home side added another five majors to none and owned the second half of the game to win by 90 points at the final siren.

Ollie Wortley was the best player for the Eagles and kicked four majors to help his side to the comfortable win.

The young man has been winning plenty of the ball and has the capability of drifting forward and hitting the scoreboard in a big way which was evident throughout the match.

Other goal scorers included Zac Bartlett (three), Lachie Glare (two) and singles to Tommy Easton, Sam Jewell and Hamish Wortley.

As expected, Andrew McCartney was in the best alongside Xavier McCartney, Luke Gow, Hamish Gleeson and Aaron Seabrook.

Hawkesdale-Macarthur will face a tough test this weekend against the top side but will be eyeing off some very winnable games at the pointy end of the season with the ambition of sneaking into the top five still firmly in its sights.

PENSHURST made light work of Moyston-Willaura on Saturday as the Bombers ran away to win by 101 points in a dominant display from the first bounce.

The ladder is tightly contested and while Penshurst sits in sixth position on the ladder, only percentage separates Ararat Eagles (fourth), Glenthompson-Dunkeld (fifth) and Penshurst.

Tim McGregor led the goal scoring with five majors, while Sam Weston (four) and Daniel Rentsch (three) capitalised on opportunities.

Aaron Glare was the Bombers’ best, with Edward Rentsch, Jayden Watson, Weston, Sam Wilson and Henry Bensch all contributing well on the day.

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD was too strong for Great Western at Glenthompson as the Rams survived a second-half surge from the visitors to win by 51 points.

While it was the home side that held the upper hand for most of the day, the Lions had strong periods of football but couldn’t kick truly as the side rued many missed opportunities in front of goal.

Tom Waters was in fine form for the Glenthompson-Dunkeld kicking five goals in the win, while DJ Woods, Sam McConachy, Tyler Fehsler, Ben Cole, Tim Kealy and Nathan Fall were the best players.

The likes of Jesse Bennett and Andrew Cameron were strong performers but that wasn’t enough as the Rams won 12.16 (88) to 4.13 (37).

TATYOON bounced back well from its first loss of the season to easily account for Lismore-Derrinallum by 106 points at the home of the Hawks, 17.12 (114) to 1.2 (8).

Ryan Bates led the way for side as he kicked five goals while Anthony Rosato, William Henderson and Kieran Collins set the tone around the ground.

The Hawks sit second by about six percent on the ladder and will look to find a good run of form as finals approach.

Demons’ Jayden Molloy was named the best player while Josh Sanders kicked the team’s only goal for the day.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE did just enough to come away with a win in a thrilling contest against Ararat Eagles at Alexandra Oval, the Tigers held on by just five points at the final siren.

The Tigers led at every break but a fierce comeback from the home side was enough to give the visitors a few nervous times.

After a strong first quarter from Woorndoo-Mortlake, the margin was 20 points at quarter time, but it continued to decrease at each break going to 14 points at half time, nine points at the final break and five at the end.

Mason Kelly kicked five goals for his side, but it wasn’t enough to get Ararat Eagles over the line as the Tigers held on 9.6 (60) to 8.7 (55).

Damien Pemberton, William Paulin and Jesse Horan put in some impressive games for the victors, while Hayden Baldwinson, Aaron Neil and Jaydo Wright fought hard in reply.

WICKLIFFE-LAKE BOLAC cruised to a 250-point victory against Caramut in an incredibly one-sided affair– the Swans were unable to register a score in the four quarters.

With the Magpies in top position on the ladder and the Swans in bottom, it always had the makings to have a devastating scoreline and that it did.

The visitors had 13 goal scorers on the day, including Jake Smith who bagged 10 majors, while Liam Zavaglia also had a day out with seven.

Caramut’s Seth Pearse, Patrick Drake and Nicholas Frith were some shining lights in a dark day for the club, while Lachlan Staig, Smith and Lachlan Reilly were the Magpies’ best players.