A drawn match between Minyip-Murtoa and Warrack Eagles was the highlight of Wimmera league A Grade on Saturday.

The two sides faced off at Murtoa, with the match producing a tight contest – the margin was never more than four goals.

The Eagles gained the ascendancy early, with a two goal lead at quarter time, before extending it to three goals at the main break.

Both sides made some positional changes at half-time, bringing on fresh legs from the interchange, but it was the Burras who shone in the third quarter.

They clawed their way back to level the margin at 24-all and then hitting the lead by one goal, before the score levelled again at three-quarter time.

The Eagles brought on under-17s player Lauren Clyne in the second half to try and negate the influence of Burra defenders Ruby Wilson and Johanna Griffiths who were both playing great games.

With the scores level going into the last term, both coaches swung positional changes – the Burras goalers swapped positions, and the Eagles made four changes, including changing defender Isabella Orszulak to goal shooter.

Orszulak made an immediate impact, shooting three goals within minutes, and helping the Eagles take a 31-29 lead.

But the Burras weren’t giving up without a fight – they levelled the margin again before again changing the make-up of their team.

Two quick goals to Orszulak put the Eagles back in front, before Minyip-Murtoa again made use of the rolling substitute rule to bring goal shooter Lili Wilson back onto the court.

The lead changed again with the Burras in front by two goals with five minutes remaining, before the Eagles shot three goals in row to grab the lead.

But a goal from goal attack Jessie Newell levelled the scores to 36-all with less than a minute on the clock.

Both sides face tough opposition this weekend, as the Burras take on Southern Mallee Thunder and the Eagles host the improved Ararat.

In other round three matches, Horsham Saints continued on with its dominance, downing Dimboola 70-47.

A relatively even first quarter took the margin to 13-11 at the first break, before the Saints skipped out to an eight-goal lead by half-time.

But it was the second half where the Saints showed their dominance, increasing the margin each term, despite the Roos trying various combinations to tackle the ladder leaders.

The Saints, missing Abby Hallam, played under-17 player Lena Marshman at goal-attack, before she and sharp-shooter Jorja Clode swapped goal circle positions in the second half.

Megan Byrne, in her 100th match, was judged the Saints best for her game in centre and wing attack, while Erin Martin was another standout in goal-keeper.

For the Roos, centre court player Maddison Marra, and defender Indy Ward were best.

Horsham Demons also scored a comprehensive win, defeating Nhill 82-50, as goal defender Sienna Manserra showed she has settled in nicely to the A Grade team, while goal attack Georgia Batson, with 31 goals, was dominant.

The Demons will have a bye in round four, while Nhill travel to Dimboola, and Horsham Saints play Stawell. 

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