GFFL Round 3 - 10th May Match Summaries

Cummins Kapinnie opened their account last weekend with a big win over Eyre United, United Yeelanna stamped their authority to send a warning sign across the bow of the league to easily defeat Ramblers and Tumby Bay had to dig deep to overcome a consistent Elliston Districts at home to keep their unbeaten start to the year in tact.

In the opening game Cougars hosted Eyre United at Cummins Oval in fine conditions for football. The game started tightly with both sides struggling to impact the scoreboard until Jack Green kicked truly for the game's first goal, which was followed by another quick one from Hill. Fatchen pegged one back for the Saints, but Cougars responded again with a further 2 goals to take an 18 point lead into the first break.

Eyre United needed to respond strongly to get themselves back in the game, but they were met with some outstanding footy from the home side as they piled on 9 second term goals and kept the Saints to just the one to put the game to bed at half time.

Horgan, West and Green were dominating for Cougars, Ford was strong in defence repelling anything the Saints put up and the visitors simply had no answer to the Cougars onslaught. Their dominance continued after the main break with Rueben Hill continuing to impress, Ford again dominating and Shepperd and Laube found plenty of the ball. Tom Forrest was trying to lift his side leading by example and Coote and Max Baldiserra were giving them something, but they simply could not penetrate a disciplined Cougars defence. The home side added a further 7 goals for the quarter to lead by 111 points at the last change and looking to finish the game strongly.

The final quarter somewhat levelled out with the sting gone out of the game as Eyre United tightened up a little to restrict Cougars scoring. It was a big win for the home side dominated by Hill and Ford, whilst West was always a threat up forward finishing with 6 for the day, and the Green boys and Shepperd were prominent. In another tough day for the Saints, Tom Forrest was again their best, Archie Coote solid and Jonno Telfer, Baldiserra, Stratford and Morgan all had some moments.

Elliston Districts travelled to Tumby Bay to take on the unbeaten home side in what loomed as the match of the day. It didn’t disappoint with the game an entertaining and keenly fought contest from go to woe. The Roosters started the game strongly with their attack on the ball and quick ball movement catching the home side out, with Williams and Rosalia finding plenty of it. Tumby Bay were able to settle as Walker and Murphy came into the game strongly across half back and McLeod back in this week looked dangerous up forward. Elliston Districts missed some gettable opportunities in front of goal to trail by 3 points at the first break. The second quarter proved to be a great spectacle as neither side gave an inch and the lead changed hand several times. The Blues fought back strongly heading into half time to kick 2 late majors with Walker and youngster Ned Prosser on top in the back half and Mcleod and Lawrie were strong at the contest. Kelsh was having a major influence for the Roosters, and Fleming and Williams continued to have an impact as Tumby led by just 4 points at the long break.

It was on again after half time with both sides looking dangerous but Tumby Bay seemed to be on top defensively with Hunt, Walker, Kelly and Murphy gaining the ascendancy and McLeod had worked into the game strongly finding plenty of the ball. Rosalia continued to be a threat up forward as he kicked a tight one from the pocket, but the home side responded again strongly as Miller produced some magic up forward to give his side an 11 point lead going into the final quarter. The Blues continued to hold sway in the last and were able to restrict the visitors to just 1 goal while adding a further 2 themselves to run out comfortable winners by 20 points in the end. McLeod was outstanding for the winners, Walker, Prosser and Hunt impressive, and Kelly in his 200th game, Tom McDonald and Mitch Lawrie were all prominent.

For the Roosters none were better than Kelsh who was excellent in the ruck, Williams was solid on ball, and Carter, Fleming, Gum and Archer Van Doorn all serviceable and gallant in defeat.

In the final game United Yeelanna confirmed their red hot status as early season premiership favourites with a big win over fellow finals aspirant Ramblers at the Kooplex. They set the tone early in the first kicking the games opening goal in the first 30 seconds and from that point in time it was all one way traffic. Maxfield, Watson and Michael Crettenden were dominating the midfield and providing plenty of opportunities for their forwards as the Eagles slammed on 7 first quarter goals while keeping Ramblers to just the one. Ramblers lifted their intensity in the second term and were able to halt the onslaught, but were unable to make any inroads into the margin and went into the main break trailing by 59 points with the Eagles still well and truly on top across the ground and the game all but done.

Stephen Crettenden extended that margin after half time with a great long goal which Ramblers were able to respond to via Parsons but this was the only goal for his side for the quarter. Watson and Maxfield continued to dominate the midfield and Crettenden was proving a handful up forward while Buchanan and Milburn were doing everything they could to bring their side back into the game. With the sting gone out of the contest, the last quarter proved to be a more even affair with the Eagles somewhat going through the motions, and Ramblers managing to kick 3 last quarter goals to put some respectability on the scoreboard. It was an impressive performance from United Yeelanna who look to have lost no hunger and have made a strong start to their premiership defence with 2 impressive wins against top 4 sides. Michael Crettenden, Watson and Maxfield were outstanding all day for the winners, Jed Murnane found plenty of the ball, and Stephen Crettenden and Adam Murnane had impressive games. For Ramblers Phoenix Milburn was again their best player, Turner battled hard, and Crettenden, Jacob Parsons, Buchanan and Oscar White all had some positive moments.