Seven from eight at Narrandera Sportsground, the Hopperettes having a clean sweep, with only the Magoos not coming home with the chocolates after a shock loss to the Eagles. Well done to all the Award winners!
Next Game: Round 16 v Collingullie at Kindra Park on Sunday 11 August. A double up day for seniors and juniors.
FOOTY
First Grade:
If there was any doubts about first grade being complacent taking on the Eagles after a great win over the Swans, these fears evaporated quickly when the team learnt that Jake Barrett and Jerry Maslin were sitting idle in Sydney airport waiting for the fog to clear at Wagga. With their flight cancelled and no chance of being back home until after the game finished, Lach Crawford was dragged from the 17s game and Luke McLoughlin brought up from the Magoos to complete a re-shuffled team ready for action. The shifting set up quickly brought every player into focus for the task ahead.
The game was well contested early with only a point in it at the first break. Some reminders at quarter time about maintaining intensity and the boys lifted on the back of season high run and carry, kicking 6-3 for the term and breaking the game open to lead by 34 points at the long break. In the second half the Hoppers continued their pressure run, stretching the lead to 54 points at the end of third term and finally running out winners by 58.
Luke Redfern was everywhere for the men in green, owning the corridor all day and leaving countless Eagles players in his wake with his acceleration as he set up a stack of Hoppers forward raids. Max Hillier wasn’t far behind, shifted into an on ball role as part of the pre-game re-shuffle and absorbing the high workload with ease. Meanwhile, Joe Redfern continued his form with the boot, landing some important long range goals and directing traffic down forward.
Other notables included Will Graetz, who barely gave his opponent an opportunity with some tight defence; Benj Gillett, who competed everywhere, whether in the ruck or across the ground; and Connor Neyland, who continued his good form with a high pressure game down back, as well as directing team mates around the contest all game.
Hoppers 16-12-108 defeated Narrandera Eagles 7-8-50
Goal kickers: J. Redfern 5, B. Glyde 2, M. McGowan 2, B. Gillett 2, H. Leary, L. Crawford, S. Charlie, H. Bradley, M. Hillier
Notable Mentions: L. Redfern, M. Hillier, J. Redfern, W. Graetz, B. Gillett, C. Neyland
Award Winners: Luke Redfern (Commercial Club), Joe Redfern & Max Hillier (Bottom Pub)
Reserve Grade:
You don’t have to look very far to work out why the Magoos lost a game they really should’ve won, especially against a team that forfeited due to lack of numbers the previous week. Narrandera started well on their home deck and got their tails up early to lead by four goals at the first break, and while they only kicked another three all day, they maintained their effort for much of the game. In the end the Hoppers had a stack of opportunity and just didn’t capitalise.
Jaz Edyvean had another busy game for the Hoppers, finding the footy regularly and providing plenty of options for team mates going forward. Andy Shaw put in his usual high effort performance, shutting down several Eagles raids, while Tim Garrett almost got his side home on his own, landing all of the Hoppers five goals.
The Magoos still hold third spot on percentage, but with Gullie (just above on the ladder) and Tigers (just below) still to come, the next couple of weeks will give us plenty of insight into whether they’re contenders for the flag or not.
Hoppers 5-16-46 defeated by Narrandera Eagles 7-5-47
Goal Kickers: T. Garrett 5
Notable Mentions: J. McPherson, J. Robinson, B. Edyvean, J. Edyvean, R. Maslin, I. Pattison
Award Winners: Jaz Edyvean (Commercial Club), Andy Shaw & Tim Garrett (Bottom Pub)
Under 17s:
The young Hoppers flexed their muscle against the Eagles, winning by about twenty goals (140-20 or thereabouts), but as Narrandera only had 13 players on their team sheet, the score was recorded as a forfeit and 120-0 record on the books. The Hoppers did loan the Eagles three players each quarter to make a game of it, so all players had an opportunity for a kick.
Sorry – no record of goal kickers.
Hoppers 120 defeated Narrandera Eagles 0
Goal Kickers: Forfeit
Notable Mentions:
Award Winners: Hugh Wakefield, Will McGowan, Archer Buchegger
NETBALL
Sensational wins by all teams - well done Hopper girls. The energy and vibe around and on the court was infectious all day and certainly had everyone feeling great!!!
A Grade
Score: Coolamon 59 defeated Narrandera 29
Awards:
Alissa Neyland - worked the goal circle with some sensational shooting and moved around the circle with dominance.
Claudia Barton - led by example. Relentless in defence and intercepting opposition passes to send it back Hoppers way.
ARes Grade
Score: Coolamon 54 defeated Narrandera 26
Awards:
Molly Sloan - another great day out in the circle with some sharp shooting leaving the opposition defence with no answers.
Zoe Leary - persistence and passion is what this girl has and she demonstrates it in her game every week.
B Grade
Score: Coolamon 63 defeated Narrandera 33
Awards:
Monique McKinley - her tenacity and determination is unquestionable- never gives up or in.
Belle Mason - unstoppable in the goal circle. Shooting range was anywhere in that circle.
C Grade
Score: Coolamon 52 defeated Narrandera 22
Award:
Bec Keatley - controlled centre court with authority and moved ball in and down to the goal circle with precision.
Under 17s
Score: Coolamon 40 defeated Narrandera 17
Awards:
Claire Allen - destructive defensive attack in the circle against Narrandera shooters.
Steph Doyle - sensational shooting, kept up all game, increasing the winning margin.
Go Hoppers!