Last week was the final round of fixtures in the Central Midlands and Coastal Football League.

Dandaragan were caught on the hop as Jurien got the jump with a five goal start to the game, the Saints wasting opportunities in front of goal, their nine scoring shots only yielding two majors for the term. Jurien continued to control the game with some quality mid field work ensuring quick and easy delivery to the form forward of the competition, Simon Franich, to take a comfortable 21 point margin into the half time break.

Determined to make up lost ground in the second half of the game, Dandaragan’s endeavour was quickly stifled as their normally consistent mid field struggled to gain early possession, allowing Jurien to run on and take advantage of the size and strength advantage they have over most teams in the competition to extend the lead to 33 points heading into the final term.

Unable to quite match Jurien, Dandaragan continued to put up good showing but were just unable to find the drive to enable them to take advantage of the quick ball movement that has served them so well this season, Jurien cruising to a nine goal win.

Franich collected another bag of goals kicking 12, Josh Lyons and John Murray got three each, Nathan Sumpton two, with singles to Johnson, T. Bennell, and Charlton. For Dandaragan, Campbell Hurst showed he is recovered from his recent groin injury with a six goal effort, Tomlinson, Donnelly and Harrison two each and singles to Jono and Duncan Glasfurd.

Kye Blakeney, Callum Johnson and Brendan Charlton headed Jurien’s best player list on a day when everything clicked into place for the Bulldogs, Matt Helms, Zac Roberts and Campbell Hurst turning in good games for the Saints. Jurien chalk up another good win to further reinforce their position as the yardstick team in the competition this year.

Dandaragan were able to sneak under the radar of most clubs last year to take a well deserved flag but this year the top two teams look to have their measure and they will need to have a few secrets up their sleeve to repeat last year’s efforts.

Marlins competitive

but Warriors win

Saturday’s game in Moora was between the two teams languishing at the bottom of the table, Warriors and Leeman.

In recent years both clubs have looked forward to their clashes being evenly matched and showing a true indication of what the state of football is really like in the league at the moment.

For season 2008 the score is one win for each team, this game being the decider on who would have the dubious honour of claiming the wooden spoon.

As Warriors club officials thought, the shift to a Saturday game meant a drop in available numbers through work commitments with just enough players making it on to the team sheet.

Leeman also were unable to field the full 22 but had a couple of players on the bench.

The sportsmanship and camaraderie between the two clubs showed through as Leeman only sent out enough players to match Warriors until a couple more locals showed up late in the first term.

The first quarter was a fairly even affair with both sides having the same amount of scoring shots, Warriors being a little more accurate, giving them a six point lead at the first change.

Despite their ladder positions the game was very skilful and some excellent passages of play stood out for both teams and another even quarter saw Warriors sneak the margin out to two goals at half time.

It was all Warriors in the third term, some excellent leading by Shaun Abdullah at full forward being rewarded with some excellent delivery which resulted in a burst on the scoreboard that took the lead out to 30 points at the turn for home.

As Warriors took the foot off to coast in the final term, once again Leeman showed their never say die spirit and proceeded to kick four goals in a row to bring back memories of their last encounter when Leeman came back to pinch the game in the dying minutes.

Warriors steadied and were able to get on top of the Leeman challenge and take a 24 point lead to the final siren.

Ian Smith and Abdullah kicked four goals each, Ray Lawrence and Terry Narrier jnr two each and the Steve Yappo, who is fast approaching his 400th league game kicked one.

Leeman’s goals came from the boots of Peter Wynne with three, Matt Taylor two, singles to Flanders, Pol and Neaire.

Some outstanding performances from players on both sides showed that an even match up can result in some great football to watch.

Better players listed for Warriors were young Terry Narrier, Kev Wyatt, Ray Thompson, Ian Smith and Shaun Abdullah, for Leeman Adam Hunt, Matt Taylor, Justin Lyons and Sam Burgoyne were among the award winners.

Rovers test Cervantes

Cervantes were at home to Moora Rovers last week and although Cervantes took the win, it was quite noticeable that Rovers went to play and did give it a good shot.

In what would raise a few concerns in the Cervantes camp, they did start the game very slowly and looked to be rather flat and only going through the motions, allowing Rovers to keep pace with them in the early part of the game. Consistent effort from the Moora side saw them only seven points behind at the first change, Clint McPherson bagging three first quarter goals.

With a strong breeze across the ground, conditions were very difficult and although Cervantes had most of the scoring opportunities in the second term, they could only manage two majors from their nine scoring attempts giving Rovers a sniff that they may be able to cause an upset, being in touch at half time, only three goals behind.

After half time Rovers looked the side to beat as they started the third term in fine style, Cervantes still looking flat and certainly not as dominant as they have been this so far this season.

As the pressure mounted on the Tigersharks it seemed to snap them out of their slumber and they fired up to take control of the game kicking away to a 34 point margin at the final change.

This burst from Cervantes seemed to take the sting out of Rovers as the coastal side rolled on to take the game with 61 point margin in the end.

In difficult conditions for goal kicking, Luke Burger kicked four for Cervantes, McDonnell and Thompson kicked two each with singles to Pittman, Goddard, Mike Thompson and McKenna.

McPherson’s three goals from the first term headed the Rover tally along with three from Pamon Hill-Martdee. Praciak, Lowden and E. Innes also kicked one goal each.

McKenna, Howes, Brain and McDonnell were among Cervantes best, for Rovers Sheehan, Hill-Martdee, Douglas and B. Stokke turned in good games.

Warning signs should be flashing for Cervantes as they took more than half a game to click into top gear, which is hardly the type of start they need when up against Jurien.

Complacency against the lower ranked sides could be an issue as the finals build up takes place.

Rovers should be happy with their performance at Cervantes and with some of the lesser lights coming into the game it will give them a big confidence boost heading towards the finals.

Saturday football again this week

All games in the CMCFL will be on Saturday again this week to enable selectors an extra day to appraise the form of players prior to the final Country Week selection day on the following Monday.

Game of the round will be in Moora where Rovers are at home to Dandaragan, both sides looking to get themselves into the best position possible to launch an attack on the top two teams as we head into the business end of the season.

Dandaragan are not afraid to share the ball around to create space and this confidence to use players who have worked to the team’s advantage may get them over the top of Rovers if the Moora side slips back into their early season habit of becoming focused only on their major ball-getters.

As for the other two games in this week’s fixtures, there is not a lot to get excited about as the top two teams, Jurien and Cervantes, clash with the bottom teams Warriors and Leeman respectively.

After another good honest game between Warriors and Leeman last week, there is not a lot left for them to play for as their long season grinds to what is going to be a painful end.

Leeman have to travel to Cervantes as a result of the league directors’ decision to take their home game off them to punish them for forfeiting to the Tigersharks in the last round.

Despite the fact that the Marlins have always got through with their never give up attitude, this decision to strip them of a home game may be the final straw for this proud club.

Warriors have the big task this week of the trip to Jurien to take on the Bulldogs at the coast and there are several indicators that this might not even happen including the fact that even though it was home game last week against Leeman, Warriors only fielded the bare 18 players, showing the lack of commitment that has grown as the season progressed and the beatings became more severe.

It will be a win for the league if Leeman and Warriors take to the field but in all reality it could be another nail and a major warning sign for the league.