IN a game that will go a long way to deciding the final make-up of the top three in the South West District Football League, Tyrendarra was able to get their nose in front in the home straight with a win, 11.6 (72) to Dartmoor’s 9.8 (62).

With an equal amount of scoring shots, it was Tyrendarra’s efficiency in the forward half that got them over the line, in no small way due to seven goals from the mercurial Jordi Withers, with his ability overhead continuing to defy his stature.

Up the other end Dartmoor had multiple options in Jordan Murphy and Joseph Franklin, with both scoring three goals each from multiple scoring opportunities.

Efficiency up forward was a theme reinforced at the quarter time break by coach Jayden Polaski after multiple forward thrusts were rebounded by the Tyrendarra backs.

To their credit the Dartmoor forwards were working hard for each other blocking at every opportunity to give their teammates more time and space.

As the game continued Polaski further emphasised the need to put pressure on the Tyrendarra ball carriers at all times, this was a central theme, helping to keep them hot on the heels of Tyrendarra all game.

Tyrendarra’s coach, Sam Anson was most impressed by his charges’ capacity to absorb that pressure under adversity.

“We were two men down early in the game but to the last minute (they) were able to absorb the pressure. Dartmoor physically challenged us all day, but we stood up to the pressure when it mattered most,” Anson said

The outcome was influenced by strategic moves from the bench of both teams with Anson and Polaski tagged at various stages of the game.

While both of them were still influential, the quality of their possessions was minimised by the pressure exerted from their respective tags.

For Dartmoor, the ever-improving Sam Woodall relished the physical nature of the contest while Tyrendarra’s ruckman James Vickers created space for his smaller on-ball brigade.

Lachie Kirk and John Tucker were strong contributors in defence for Tyrendarra, especially as Dartmoor charged in the last quarter.

Meres highlight significant improvement

It would be easy to pack up stumps and give up on the 2024 season, but it is a credit to the leadership of Nick Guthridge and his young charges that they were able to trouble reigning premiers Coleraine for three quarters on Saturday.

Unfortunately for the Heathmere faithful Coleraine prevailed 16.12 (108) to Heathmere’s 8.6 (54), on the back of a seven goal to two last quarter onslaught by Coleraine.

Coleraine without their two main goal scorers and have been working on developing multiple goal options in the second half of the season with Zach Hartley (five goals) and Bailey Cooper (four goals) stepping up against Heathmere to become the prime focal points up forward.

While Luke Driscoll and Callum McNabb held up their end with two goals each for Heathmere, the young side fatigued as the match progressed with Coleraine taking a 21-point lead at three quarter time to a 54-point win at the final siren.

Opportunity missed for Roos

As has been a regular scenario all season conversion in the forward line has contributed to Western’s falling short against Cavendish in the clash at Alexandra Park. In the end it was Cavendish 10.9 (69) overcoming a determined Westerns 4.14 (38).

While there was only two points separating the two teams at the final change a four goal five-point final quarter from last year’s grand finalists to a scoreless Westerns would have left the Roos’ hierarchy frustrated with the result.

“Cavendish are a quality outfit, when they take the ball forward something constructive happens, they make the most of the times during a game when they have momentum,” Westerns coach Winis Imbi said.

“We had far more forward entries in the first three quarters but just cannot capitalise at this point in time like the top sides.

“The last quarter was the only time that they had the ball in their forward fifty more often, but they made the most of that.”

While there has been considerable progress from Westerns in terms of both culture and on field performance, the inconsistency in both delivery into the forward line and goalkicking will need to be rectified to take the next steps in September.

Imbi expanded on the frustration around goal scoring.

“This is an area in our game that we can control,” he said.

“It comes down to taking the extra time at training to develop a routine that is reinforced repeatedly. Players are getting caught up in worrying about the end result rather than working on staying true to a well drilled kicking routine.”

As close as it gets

Saturday’s encounter between Branxholme-Wallacedale and Heywood was a thriller throughout the full four quarters. No more than seven points separated both teams at each break with quality goalkicking a highlight the game finished with an identical scoreline of 13.4 (83) to result in a draw.

An outstanding performance from Branxholme’s skipper Kieran Barker with six goals kept his side within a whisker of taking the points.

Talking with Branxholme’s coach Paul Cleaver from adversity a range of opportunities have arisen to help the development and subsequent improvement in recent weeks.

“We have lost several regular senior players over the last few weeks; from that we have found some diamonds,” he said.

“Reserves and junior players have stepped into roles they may not have had the opportunity to play without others being unavailable.

“We had Joel Le Roy play his first game on Heywood’s Dane Handreck and even though Dane kicked three goals he curtailed his influence compared to the first round. The players can feel that things are on the improve but to get that reflected on the scoreboard gives the club some tangible hope.

“Saying that we would have preferred a win than a draw, it did feel a bit like dancing with your sister.”

According to Cleaver the quality of goalkicking reflected the high standard of game both Heywood and the Saints put on for the spectators at Branxholme.