OFA 2024: Gnowangerup outlast determined Lake Grace-Pingrup, Boxwood Hill snap three-game losing streak

Gnowangerup kept their untarnished start to the 2024 Ongerup Football Association season intact with a strong 27-point victory over Lake Grace-Pingrup in Lake Grace on Saturday. The Bulldogs held a seven-point advantage at the main break before a four-goals to one second term gave them a 22-buffer at the long break where the margin hovered for the remainder of the encounter. The spirited Bombers were not able to mount a comeback as the Bulldogs kept them at arm’s length for most of the match before prevailing 15.10 (100) to 11.7 (73). Bulldogs speedster James Dewar was instrumental with four goals, while Mac Crichton, Connor Hawkins (both two goals) and Fynn Synnot were crucial for the visitors. Both sides wore specially designed Indigenous jerseys in the fixture. Bombers’ jersey, the first-ever jumper designed by star forward Jackson Callope, displayed a symbol on the chest representing places where people come together signified by campsites, fireplaces, meeting places or ceremonial sites. Meanwhile Boxwood Hill snapped a three-game losing streak to register a dominant 54-point victory over reigning premiers Newdegate in Newdegate on Saturday. Boxwood started slowly and trailed by five points at the first change before rampant second and third quarters where they booted eight goals to one blew the game apart. They belted home five goals to the Lions’ one in the second before keeping the hosts scoreless in the third to set up a resounding 15.15 (105) to 8.3 (51) victory. Michael Swarbrick booted a bag of five goals as the visitors’ main avenue to goal while Rohan Vaux finished with four goals as their other main contributor to the scoreboard. Arran Jones, Hayden Richter and Harry Joy all played key roles in the visitors’ big win and George Bungey chipped in with two majors. The Lions were best served by Jorrum Tucker, Durak Tucker, Jacob Conti and Riley Bridger and Dustin Boyce and Arron Russell finished with two goals each.