ANZAC Day at Loxton North

LOXTON NORTH V WAIKERIE RFL – ROUND ONE 2012, Wed April 25th

By Nick Kossatch at Loxton North

Waikerie withstood a stern fight back from last year’s premiers Loxton North to defeat them by five points in a pulsating Anzac Day RFL round one match at Loxton North. Tanunda recruit Craig Underwood made his return in black and white stripes in the best possible way by winning the Anzac Day medal for best afield.

Andrew Bachmann booted two opening goals and Waikerie skipper Ben Venning, took full advantage of Josh Voigt’s absence with an ankle injury sustained 20 minutes into the match, to monster his new opponent with numerous marks across half forward. The Panther’s trademark run was missing and despite a much-needed goal to Tim Arnold – the Magpies threatened to win big and at least ease the pain a little from last year’s Grand Final loss.

Waikerie kicked the first three goals at the start of the second term and when the tall and agile Craig Miller snapped truly, Loxton North needed to respond. Geordie Franks broke the tight defensive reigns of Port District recruit Glen Schrieber to kick two goals but the home team had too many players down on form.

The red-haired Joseph Haines gathered quality possessions and used the ball well for the Magpies as did Tim Bevan. Captain Josh Nelson and Tim Ferguson put their heads over the ball for the hosts but bookend players Venning and Steve Braun marked everything that came their way but their team-mate Damien Stevens, in his comeback game from a serious knee injury, was off the ground with a hamstring strain.

Midfielder Clint Williams impressed in his first game for the Magpies but North found its grand spirit from last year with a six-goal third quarter.  Ben Walter showed class and poise with a goal and helped set up Ryan Proud for his second to close the margin to 18 points but Bachmann found space behind a pack to get one back for his team and his fourth major.

Braun drifted forward to kick the first goal of the fourth quarter to put Waikerie 25-points clear. Daniel and Justin Proud came into their own but a desperate lunge from a Waikerie defender stopped an almost certain Michael Scott goal.

Both teams showed plenty and have further improvement but the Waikerie coaching staff would be delighted with the win and form of its new recruits and key position payers.

VOTES: 5 Steven Braun (W)

4 Andrew Bachmann (W)

3 Jamie Ferguson (LN)

2 Joseph Haines (W)

1 Tim Bevan (W)

 

Crowd – about 750

 

 

About Nicholas Kossatch

Tall and intelligent and athletically built who calls a spade a spade. Love sports writing and sending letters and texts to the editor about AFL and the Port Adelaide Power - win, lose or draw. I do not sit on the fence. Soon to be 40! I play basketball and over 35's supers football. Have played amateur footy and a bit of cricket and basketball when living in Adelaide. Do some writing for the Murray Pioneer,

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