Goulburn Valley: Kyabram perfectly placed to end Echuca recent dominance

Some genuine premiership contenders have made big mid-season statements across the state. See who is in contention for flag glory.

Kyabram tightened its grip on top spot on the Goulburn Valley league ladder with a crushing 62-point win against second-placed Rochester on Saturday.

Three quick goals to start the final term put the result beyond doubt after the ladder leaders led by only 15 points at the last change.

Further final term pain was inflicted on Rochester, which had trailed by only four points at halftime as the Kyabram prime movers, including Morrison Medal favourite Mick Mattingly, took control.

Opposing ruckmen, Kyabram’s Zac Norris and Rochester’s Hamish Hoopell, were both effective players, but the game-breaker was Riley Ironside, who booted five goals for Kyabram.

Rochester’s Lincoln Sieben has the ball punched away from him by Kyabram’s Jake Parkinson. Pictures Yuri Kouzmin

He kicked three in the first half including a brilliant, opportunistic soccer kick from close range late in the second quarter.

Both teams conceded goals from 50m penalties in the second term when Kyabram threatened to take control before Rochester fought back late.

Kyabram is the only team to beat the premiers of the past three seasons, Echuca, which replaced Rochester in second spot with a 36-point win against Seymour.

Kyabram rising midfield star Archie Watt kicks under pressure.

Kyabram will be sweating on the availability at finals time of forward Anthony Depasquale, who hasn’t played since round 3 due to VFL commitments at Werribee.

Kyabram’s Riley Ironside booted five goals against Rochester.

Rochester’s Mitchell Trewhella is tackled by Kyabram’s Josh Dillon.

Kyabram ruckman Zac Norris gathers the loose ball.

GIPPSLAND

Traralgon forward Dylan Lopresse booted the sealer deep in the final term to secure a crucial three-point win against Leongatha in the battle to decide the biggest threat to flag favourites Moe.

Lopresse’s fourth goal for the match at the 25-minute mark was the matchwinning response to Leongatha regaining the lead three minutes earlier after the Parrots started the final term with a 16-point lead.

Traralgon upset Leongatha in last year’s grand final and the Parrots won their round 1 encounter this season.

Traralgon inflicted Moe’s only loss a week later and the two teams meet again next Saturday as a gap starts to widen between the top-three and the rest.

Lopresse kickstarted Traralgon’s final term fightback with his third goal of the match.

Traralgon coach Troy Hamilton. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The Maroons two forward options, captain Tye Hourigan and Jackson McMahon, added goals soon after to give them the lead momentarily.

McMahon has kicked 13 goals in the last three matches to inject another layer of potency to the Traralgon forward line.

Tristen Waack starred in the backline for Traralgon with Hourigan sent forward by coach Troy Hamilton.

Leongatha suffered a major setback in the second term when Justin Pellicano was red-carded for striking after booting three early goals.

His absence for the rest of the match compounded a growing list of injuries that includes star midfielder Tom Marriott, key defenders Cade Maskell and Sean Westaway, leading goalkicker Jenson Garnham and Tallin Brill.

Hayden Lindsay, the brother of Melbourne rookie Xavier, joined them on the injury list on Saturday.

NORTH CENTRAL

Calder United scored the biggest win of its short history by taking down the premiers of the last two seasons, Sea Lake-Nandaly, and go a long way towards shoring up the double chance at finals time.

Former SANFL forward Dale Pearce starred on debut with seven goals as Calder United took control from the outset.

Pearce, a 198cm key forward who can also play in the ruck, started the season in the Central Districts reserves before breaking into seniors late last month.

The 23-year-old also played seven senior matches for Central Districts last year, but was signed by Calder United late last week after one appearance for CMS Crows in the Yorke Peninsula league last round.

Calder United led Sea Lake-Nandaly by 25 points at halftime before booting five goals to two in the second half despite missing Matthew Wade, Koby Lloyd and Boe Bish from its strongest team.

The reigning premiers were without Josh Jenkins and Oscar Brownless, who played the previous week against Wedderburn.

Calder United lost to Sea Lake-Nandaly by 23 points in round 2 and the newly merged club has a chance to atone for a two-point loss to undefeated Birchip-Watchem in a fortnight.

CENTRAL MURRAY

Woorinen stamped itself as the flag favourites with a 61-point thrashing of Cohuna Kangas which opened a three-match break on top of the ladder.

The Tigers slammed on seven goals to two in the opening quarter against the second-placed Kangas before extending their margin to a matchwinning 50 points at halftime.

In only his third match for the club, former Geelong league player Kyle Skene booted six goals, Jye Barry starred in the midfield and Taylor Cameron impressed in the backline.

Woorinen beat another flag contender Mallee Eagles early in the season by 17 points.

Tim Free took over as Woorinen coach at the start of the season after being assistant coach the previous two years.

Cohuna Kangas was without star midfielder Joel Helman for the second match in a row and coach Jack Geary was stretchered from the ground late in the third term.

Originally published as Goulburn Valley: Kyabram perfectly placed to end Echuca recent dominance