By Colin MacGillivray

There was little joy for the Mininera and District Football League’s northern teams at the weekend, with Ararat Eagles, Great Western, Tatyoon and Moyston-Willaura all suffering defeats.

The Eagles had a chance to make a finals berth a certainty against Lismore-Derrinallum, but were outplayed after half time in a 14.5 (89) to 10.4 (64) loss.

Ararat, with co-captain Naish McRoberts leading the charge, led by nearly two straight kicks at the long break.

But the resurgent Demons held the Eagles scoreless in the third quarter, and a four-goals-to-three final term was not enough to drag the home side back to the lead.

Adrian Reid, Ryan Weppner and Brady Miller joined McRoberts among Ararat’s best performers, with a three-goal performance from Liam Rigby helping secure victory for the Demons.

Tatyoon, which trails fifth-placed Ararat by six premiership points, had an opportunity to make up ground on the Eagles, but faced the daunting task of playing the powerful Penshurst on the road.

The Hawks kept themselves in the game with six scoring shots to their opponents’ eight in the first quarter, but the Bombers blew the hinges off the game with nine goals to two in the second term, en route to a 21.11 (137) to 8.9 (57) win.

Despite the lopsided score, Tatyoon full forward Marcus Darmody still managed four goals, while Angus Johnston, Sam Phillips and James Shanhun were other standouts for the visitors.

The finals equation is now simple for Ararat Eagles and Tatyoon – the Hawks must win their remaining two matches against Moyston-Willaura this weekend and Glenthompson-Dunkeld in the final round, while hoping Ararat loses both of its remaining games against the Rams this weekend and Penshurst the next.

If the Eagles win either of their two remaining games, Tatyoon, the reigning premier, will be eliminated from the finals race.

Moyston-Willaura showed its supporters improvement despite a 13.16 (94) to 8.6 (54) loss to
Glenthompson-Dunkeld at Moyston on Saturday.

The Pumas lost by 128 points in their first meeting with the Rams in round three, but displayed stronger efforts on both sides of the ball at the weekend.

The game was still alive at three-quarter time, with Moyston-
Willaura trailing by only 16 points thanks to errant kicking from the visitors, but seven last-quarter goals from the Rams finally ended the Pumas’ chances.

Half back Sam Lehmann and ruckman Josh Fiegert were the best on the day for the Pumas.

Great Western was no match for Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, losing 16.20 (116) to 5.5 (35) on the road, with Renn Lovitt, Sam Raeck and Tom Parsons among the best.

The Lions will have an opportunity for redemption this week when they take on Woorndoo-Mortlake, which lost to SMW Rovers 18.10 (118) to 10.7 (67) on Saturday.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, will take on Caramut, which is coming off a 16.18 (114) to 5.4 (34) defeat at the hands of Hawkesdale-Macarthur.

This weekend’s other games will pit Lismore-Derrinallum against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and Hawkesdale-Macarthur against Penshurst.

The entire August 7, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!