A cold and windy day with fleeting glimpses of sunshine set the stage at the Nullawil Football Grounds for the Golden Rivers Finals. The action was hot and so too were some tempers as passions ran high.

The football ground was in surprisingly good condition for two days of pumping water away. The under 14s saw Murrabit take on Wandella, with Wandella achieving a comfortable win 6.10-46 to 0.4-4. Best on ground was awarded to Archer Lancaster.

The Under 17s saw Hay take on Ultima with the Lions romping home 12.17-89 to Ultima’s 4.6-30. Best on ground was awarded to Jensen Hargreaves.

The Reserves game was a battle between Murrabit and Wandella. Murrabit took control of the game in the first quarter to gain an early lead. The second quarter saw Wandella rally to come within a goal of Murrabit.

The third quarter saw Murrabit extend their lead continuing the run through the fourth to come home with 12.7-79 to Wandella’s 8.8-56. Best on ground went to Tom Copland. Goal scorers for Murrabit were:

• B. Green 4,
• B. Wilkinson 3,
• M. Zambelli 2,
• J. Bray 2 and M. Hartley.

Wandella scorers:

• T. Banfield 3,
• R. Jardine 2,
• A. Charles 1,
• M. Rowe 1 and
• J. Danckert 1

The Seniors match saw ladder leaders Nullawil take on the Moulamein Swans. The Swans took control of the game leading the first quarter strongly, Josh Flight demonstrating an impressive range and accuracy landing goals from outside 50.

Nullawil started to warm in the second quarter clawing their way back to lead going into half time.

The temperatures started to rise during the third quarter with scuffles breaking out between the passionate teams. Nullawil by this stage had found a rhythm moving the ball down the field effectively. The fourth quarter was marred by an on-field scuffle at the silo end of the field.

The altercation quickly escalated with a Moulamein spectator charging the field to take on a Nullawil player. Play continued with the few players that seemed to be interested in the ball. The fourth quarter was all Nullawil, cementing their place as 2022 Golden Rivers League Senior champions.

Final score Nullawil 16.18-114 to Moulamein 7.4-46. Goal scorers Nullawill:

• M. Farmer 4,
• A. Oberdorfer 3,
• M. Quigley 2,
• M. Hogan 1,
• D. Watts 1,
• Z. Kelly 1,
• C. Streeter 1,
• C. Fawcett 1,
• J. Bamford 1 and
• J. Humphreys 1

For Moulamein:

• B. Duggan-Hulands 3,
• J. Flight 3 and
• M. Morson 1

The Netball

Under 14 Nullawil v Ultima, Nullawil taking the win. Best on court Lily Humphreys. Under 17 Ultima v Macorna, Ultima taking the win. Best on court Kobe Davison.

A Grade, Nullawil v Murrabit. Murrabit walking away as A Grade netball premiers in the ’22 Golden Rivers Football Netball League season. The match was goal for goal in the first quarter, seeing Nullawil in front 12-10.

The teams battled, wowing the crowd with the nail-biting action. The final quarter highlighted why Murrabit sits as A Grade premiers, shooting their way to victory 41-35. Best on court honours went to Murrabit’s Chloe Adams.

The Nullawil team capitalised on home-court advantage to claim a 42-24 win against Murrabit in the B Grade grand final. Best on court honours went to Nullawil’s Sophie Mathiske.

It was a closely-fought match between Murrabit and Nullawil to decide the B Reserve champions, with Nullawil taking the win 38-33. Regan Kelly from Nullawil earned the best on court award.

See all the pictures in the issue.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 15 September 2022.