By Michael Scalzo

Jeparit-Rainbow has built on a decent 2021 season with a strong showing in 2022.

While it might not be the Storm’s glory year, the ground work is there for success if the momentum keeps building.

The Storm plays tough, big bodied and competitive football, with a forward line that can do some damage. 

Finishing fourth on the ladder this season is completely representative of their efforts – they have beaten every team below them and lost to teams above. 

But there is less black-and-white here than at first glance.

If some close results had gone their way, they could have sat as high as second or as low as sixth. 

The Storm kicked off the season with a two-point loss to Rupanyup, after remarkably storming back during the second half after scoring one goal to the Panthers’ eight by halftime. 

They kept the Panthers’ scoreless in the final term, while adding four of their own, but fell painfully short of a round one victory. 

A 10-point win against now sixth-placed Edenhope-Apsley in round two, and a six-point loss to now second-placed Kalkee in round five demonstrates how close the Storm was to closing the gap to the teams above, or indeed sliding down to those below. 

But none of that suggests the Storm cannot do a lot of damage come finals. 

In fact, a more recent 28-point loss to Rupanyup in round 12 suggests one good quarter might be all it takes to launch the Storm into a grand final. 

If not, a preliminary final would be the benchmark for the fluoro green.

Peter Weir was as dominant when on the park, kicking 29 goals to date; ditto fellow forward Jay Kirwood, who has kicked 58 goals. 

Either one of them can get the job done against the better defences, too, even if their big bags of goals came against the improving sides of the league. 

Storm senior playing-coach Daniel Batson said during the preseason his side’s philosophy would be defence first in 2022. 

“It is about having a good team defence. We want to be known as a team that doesn’t get scored against heavily,” he said.

“We attack from our backline and use our star power up forward. We have a few guys that are always capable of kicking multiple goals.” 

It is a philosophy they have implemented well all season, given the highest-score kicked against them was Harrow-Balmoral’s 93 in round 10. 

Rupanyup only slipped past their defence for a combined 20 goals in two games.

Sides that can also jag a large score, including Edenhope-Apsley and Swifts, were unable to make a mess of the Storm’s defensive structures, the Saints managing 11 and four goals in their two match-ups, while the Swifts only slotted six. 

The old adage that premierships start in defence could not be truer for Batson’s men here. 

Batson said a top-two finish was the aim for his side in 2022, but no Storm member would be disappointed with how their senior team has handled the year. 

Coming from fifth last season, up from sixth in the last full season in 2019 – the signs are good for the Storm. 

Yet to win a Horsham District Football Netball League flag or contest a grand final since entering the league
in 2014, 2022 could be the year Jeparit-Rainbow comes good on the latter of those two tests. 

But regardless, if the trend continues, and the Storm holds up when the heat comes, this finals series could set the benchmark for a 2023 to remember. 

 

Players to watch

Jakob Cocks

 

The young, blonde, flying footballer is a good player. He cracked the senior team in 2018 and became an essential compound of the Storm’s midfield group. While he hasn’t hit the scoreboard much in 2022, the big forwards certainly enjoy his service. 

Patrick Grace-Long

 

The clean midfield runner is tight below his knees and efficient with his disposal. He can cover the ground, too, and exemplifies the Storm’s forward-running from contest approach. He has been in good form of late, and will need to be, when his midfield associates meet Edenhope-Apsley’s big inside men on Sunday. 

Charles Wild

 

Another one of the Storm’s midfield-utility players, Wild is a big mover and can cover gaps across the field if they appear. He is a handy type of player to have on your list during finals. He hasn’t hit the scoreboard a lot this year, but can play a role across either half-back or half-forward lines. If it is wet, he is a good player to have when the ball is on the deck.

Jay Kirwood

 

Kirwood is the side’s leading goalkicker and most attacking player. He has produced 64 goals for the year – a lot for a fast moving, on-the-run-style goalkicker. He can take a grab, too, and is a true handle for any key backman, especially when Peter Weir can often attract the largest defender.

 

Jeparit-Rainbow’s road to the finals

Coach: Daniel Batson

 

Round 1: L. 8.10 (58) to Rupanyup 9.6 (60). Home.

Round 2: W. 12.9 (81) d Edenhope-Apsley 11.4 (70). Away.

Round 3: W. 22.13 (145) d Laharum 3.3 (21). Away.

Round 4: W. 11.6 (72) d Kaniva-Leeor 3.6 (24). Home.

Round 5: L. 9.8 (62) to Kalkee 9.14 (68). Away.

Round 6: W. 12.5 (77) d Swifts 6.11 (47). Home.

Round 7: W. 15.16 (106) d Pimpinio 4.1 (25). Home.

Round 8: W. 16.10 (106) d Natimuk-United 7.6 (48). Away.

Round 9: W. 28.13 (181) d Taylors Lake 4.4 (28). Home.

Round 10: L. 3.10 (28) to Harrow-Balmoral 14.9 (93). Away.

Round 11: W. 11.7 (73) d Noradjuha-Quantong 6.9 (45). Home.

Round 12: L. 8.5 (53) to Rupanyup 11.15 (81). Away.

Round 13: W. 5.10 (40) d Edenhope-Apsley 4.6 (30). Home.**

Round 14: W. 29.24 (198) d Taylors Lake 4.5 (29). Away.*

Round 15: W. 14.12 (96) d Pimpinio 5.5 (35). Away.

Round 16: W. 16.8 (104) d Laharum 1.4 (10). Home.

 

* Highest score. ** Lowest score.

 

Total: Won 12. Lost 4. For 1480. Against 714. Points 48. Percentage 207.28.

 

Leading goal-kickers 

Jay Kirwood 64, Peter Weir 30.

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