Sport
25 August, 2023
North take on Saints
IN a highly anticipated second versus third clash, North Warrnambool will take on reigning premiers Koroit in the final round of the Hampden League home and away season.
Coming off a nine-point loss to the Bloods last weekend, the Saints will be keen to get back on the winners’ list before the start of finals.
The Eagles are flying high and now sit second on the Hampden ladder, a game clear of the Saints, following their 19-point win over the Blues last weekend.
A quick start saw just four points between the Eagles and Blues at the end of the first quarter at Reid Oval last Saturday.
But the Eagles put the foot down in the second, adding six goals while containing the Blues to two majors, giving them a handy 29-point lead going into the main break.
The Eagles maintained their momentum in the second half to take the points on the siren, 10.9.69 to 7.8.50.
Jackson Grundy (two goals), Jett Birmingham, Luke Wines (2), Jarryd Lewis, Angus Noske and Dylan Parish (2) were all strong for the Eagles while for the Blues, Mitchell Bidmade, Jye Turland, Jackson Bell, Will Lord, Sam Cowlign and Otto Opperman were in the best.
While the Eagles will carry momentum into this weekend’s clash, the Saints will be eager to get win number 12 on the board to finish off the home and away season.
Round 17 proved a tough one for the reigning premiers, going down to one of the season’s biggest improvers, Terang Mortlake, by nine points at Victoria Park.
A strong opening term from the visitors set the scene for a great day of football, with both sides working hard for possession and making the most of the ball in their forward 50.
By the main break the Saints had regained the lead but it was short-lived, with the visitors piling on six goals in the third term to go into the last with a handy 18-point lead.
Final scores were Terang Mortlake 11.8.74 to Koroit 9.11.65. Clem Nagorcka, Jack Block, Mac Petersen, Paddy O’Sullivan, Jake McCosh and Jyron Neave were in the best for the Saints.
In other round 18 matches tomorrow, top side South Warrnambool will meet Portland, the Bloods will host the Kangaroos, Warrnambool will travel to Cobden to take on the Bombers and Camperdown will be on home to Port Fairy.
