Wanderers huge win

The football cliche, one week at a time, was most evident on Sunday as Katanning Wanderers thumped Wagin by 95 points, 19.21 (135) to 6.4 (40), to retain the Ward/Zilm Cup and keep their final hopes flickering for one more week.

This weekend, Wanderers must defeat Brookton Pingelly, who lost to Kukerin Dumbleyung and dropped to fifth spot, to maintain any chance of making the top four.

However, Kukerin Dumbleyung, who are currently sitting in fourth spot, have the much better draw, playing seventh-placed Narrogin twice and eighth-placed Wagin once in their last three games.

Wanderers played four consistent quarters of football and despite losing the the majority of the centre square contested possessions, they repelled Wagin’s attacks with a strong defence led by Dustin Allen, Ryan Pontillo, Dillon Newman and Matt Bowen.

With 11 goal scorers, the Wanderers had many avenues, with Sam Rundle, Braden Crosby, Sheldon Kowald and Miles Barritt all multiple kickers. The highlight of the goal sneaks was Rundle and Barritt’s contenders for goal of the day in the last quarter.

Rundle, deep in the left forward pocket with no daylight between the posts, expertly threaded the ball through the middle, while Barritt, on the run and under extreme pressure in the right forward pocket, coolly kicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, bringing the crowd to its feet in appreciation of a great goal.

Khallon Zilm and Ryan Eastman were strong ruckmen who won many hit-outs and took many marks around the ground to control the aerial duels.

For Wagin, Dane Tulley kicked two goals as the visitors finished strongly, kicking three goals in the final quarter restricting Wanderers to four.

John Tindall, Sheldon Ward, Ben Luscombe, Brendan Adams, Dale Robinson and Dean Fazoli were strong contributors for the Bulldogs.

In the reserves match, Wanderers maintained top spot after Wagin was forced to forfeit because of a lack of numbers. With three games remaining, Wanderers are assured a top-two finish.

In the colts, Wanderers now have a fight on their hands to hold onto fourth spot after a second loss to Wagin for the season, 14.4 (88) to 6.6 (42).

After an even first half, Wagin kicked away with an eight goal-to-two second. Four sides now sit eight points apart with three games to go, in the battle for the top four.

In the under-14s, Wanderers had a comprehensive 18.21 (129) to 0.2 (2) win to stay on top of the ladder.

They play second-placed Brookton Pingelly this Sunday to decide the top spot.