By Colin MacGillivray

Pimpinio is out to change Horsham District Football Netball League onlookers’ perceptions as it prepares for this weekend’s clash with Noradjuha-Quantong.

The Tigers won their fifth-straight game to start the season on Saturday, dispatching Taylors Lake 16.9 (105) to 11.7 (73) to sit third on the ladder, one spot behind reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral.

Captain Jason Westley starred in the win with four goals from the midfield, while Dylan Bates also dominated on the ball and young centre half back Noah Jacobsen continued his ascendance.

For the Lakers, big-bodied midfielder Bray Cullinan was a standout, while coach Justin Beugelaar kicked five goals and Tom Clugston played a key role in defence.

Pimpinio has nearly matched its win total from last season, when it went 6-10 and finished ninth, but coach Guy Smith said many onlookers continued to doubt the team.

He said the Tigers would be out to prove to the pundits – and themselves – that they belonged among the league’s upper echelon.

“We’ve been ridiculed a bit for not finishing games out, but we’re using that as a bit of motivation,” he said.

“Going in this week we want to protect our top-three positioning and we’ve got to respond to these types of challenges. We know we’ll have to play at our best to get over the top of Noradjuha-Quantong.”

At the weekend, the Tigers had a commanding 38-point lead at quarter time but only won by 32 points – the third consecutive game in which they failed to crush an opponent after establishing a large lead.

While Smith acknowledged his young players would experience occasional lulls, he commended them for executing well when required.

“Over the past couple of weeks we’ve had the same scenario – because the game has already been won by three-quarter time, we’ve almost put the cue in the rack a little bit,” he said.

“We’re still a young playing group and we’re still learning as we go.

“I’m excited about what we can do, but I think pressure-wise we need to be put to the test a little bit more.”

Smith said that test would come in the next two weeks, with an away game at Quantong this weekend before a home rendezvous with Harrow-Balmoral in round eight.

The Bombers are coming off a 12.13 (85) to 9.7 (61) loss to Rupanyup at the weekend and sit fifth on the ladder with three wins and three losses. 

Earlier this season coach Damian Cameron said his team had failed to play four consistent quarters, and the same problem reared its head again at the weekend. 

Rupanyup jumped out of the gates to take a 29-3 lead at quarter time, only for the Bombers to draw ahead by half time with five goals to none in the second term.

They maintained a narrow lead at the last change, only to go goalless again in the final quarter.

Rupanyup coach Brayden Ison led the way for his team with five goals, and Bill Hansen, Cam Weston and Jimmy Finnigan were all prominent.

Midfielder Dylan Shelley and ruckman Jack Vague were Noradjuha-Quantong’s best, with Judah Hobbs kicking three goals.

Harrow-Balmoral suffered a scare but did enough to overcome Laharum on Saturday, kicking three goals to none in the last quarter to win 8.6 (54) to 6.2 (38).

The Mountain Men, led by rebounding defender Brett Ervin and co-coach Robbie Miller, kicked the first three goals of the game and kept the lead until the last quarter, before Jai Thompson and young forward Mitchell Grant, who finished with three majors, proved the match-winners for the Roos.

Swifts also saw off a potential upset, running out its game against Edenhope-Apsley to win 10.11 (71) to 7.6 (48) despite being outplayed for patches of the first half.

Forward Cameron Wickham and defender Brodie Kindred shone at either end of the ground for Swifts, with Scott Carey excelling in the middle.

The Saints were best served by wingmen Brock Summerhayes and Shayne Williams, as well as half-back flank Josh La Rocca.

Kalkee put a smile on its supporters’ faces with its first win of the season, outclassing Kaniva-Leeor United to win 14.14 (98) to 7.5 (47).

Veterans Matt Nield and Ben Lawson led the way for the young Kees side, while Isaiah Adams and Jayden Kuhne kicked three goals each. Midfielders Billy King and Lachlyn Hahne, and centre half forward Daniel White were among those who stood up for the Cougars.

This weekend the Kees will search for their second win against Taylors Lake at Dock Lake Reserve, Harrow-Balmoral will host Rupanyup, Laharum will travel to Edenhope to take on the Saints, and Natimuk United will return from a bye to welcome Swifts to the Natimuk showground.

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