By Michael Scalzo

A slim chance Noradjuha-Quantong senior footballers had to play Horsham District league finals in 2022 has gone.

The Bombers had to defeat Kalkee to keep within two points of Edenhope-Apsley, and bank on a Saints falter against Laharum, or Natimuk this week, to stay in touch. 

But despite a three-quarter-time lead against the Kees, the Bombers fell apart in the final term, with the Kees claiming a 13-point win. 

The result closed entry to the top-six this season, with Rupanyup, Kalkee, Harrow-Balmoral, Jeparit-Rainbow, Swifts and Edenhope-Apsley having one round left to decide the season’s home-and-away order. 

Edenhope-Apsley could climb a spot with a win against Natimuk on Saturday because Swifts, one win above the Saints and with a less potent percentage, have the Panthers to deal with at North Park. 

Swifts would have to beat the expected minor-premiers to secure fifth spot – a task not out of reach on their best day. 

But the Panthers have proven themselves a class above most and not too susceptible to teams swinging heavily from below. 

Jeparit-Rainbow has locked in fourth place, with its win against Pimpinio at the weekend – the Storm sits six-points clear of the Swifts, below, and eight points short of Harrow-Balmoral, above. 

The Kees and Harrow-Balmoral face lower-ranked teams on Saturday and would be eager to make the most of any potential percentage boost.

The Southern Roos would have to give Kaniva-Leeor United an all-mighty belting to jump the Kees, but the Kees, with a Taylors Lake matchup have a fortunate best-opportunity to deny the Southern Roos with its own Lakers demolition. 

You would expect the Kees and Harrow-Balmoral to hold stations in second and third by Saturday night. 

At the other end of the ladder, it seems unlikely there would be any serious shifts in finishing order with tough match-ups across the board. 

In games not yet mentioned, Pimpinio meets Noradjuha-Quantong, while Laharum plays Jeparit-Rainbow – both tough affairs for the ninth-placed Tigers and Demons in 10th position. 

Percentage is close within the lower order congestion, with 17 percent covering eight to 11th and all four sides holding three wins apiece – a few spare men in defence might prove the answer for as much as a three-place jump in the standings on Saturday. 

In other results, Taylors Lake snared its second win for the season with a victory against a very inaccurate Natimuk United. 

The Rams kicked seven goals, 23 behinds, while the Lakers, straight shooting with 10 goals, 11 behinds, were good enough for the four points – a win that would feel like redemption for the Lakers who went down against the Rams in round seven by three points. 

This week: Edenhope-Apsley v Natimuk United at Apsley, Swifts v Rupanyup, Kalkee v Taylors Lake, Noradjuha-Quantong v Pimpinio, Kaniva-Leeor United v Harrow-Balmoral, Jeparit-Rainbow v Laharum. 

Last week: Harrow-Balmoral 11.13 (79) d Swifts 6.5 (41), Kalkee 7.16 (58) d Noradjuha-Quantong 6.9 (45), Taylors Lake 10.11 (71) d Natimuk United 7.23 (65), Jeparit-Rainbow 14.12 (96) d Pimpinio 5.5 (35), Edenhope-Apsley 18.9 (117) d Laharum 4.8 (32), Rupanyup 21.19 (145) d Kaniva-Leeor United 2.2 (14). 

Ladder: Rupanyup 56 points, 231.38 percent; Kalkee 52, 208.77; Harrow-Balmoral 52, 196.89; Jeparit-Rainbow 44, 195.45; Swifts 38; 161.37; Edenhope-Apsley 34, 176.86; Noradjuha-Quantong 28, 119.40; Natimuk United 12, 57.82; Pimpinio 12, 49.68; Laharum 12, 48.96; Kaniva-Leeor United 12, 40.59; Taylors Lake 8, 34.17.

The entire August 10, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!