Jerilderie showed just how far they have come in the 2019 Picola & District League season, pushing second placed Waaia to the limit on Saturday.
Despite a strong start, the Demons were unable to come away with the victory however, going down by three goals in wet and windy conditions at Monash Park.
Jerilderie had the wind in the first quarter, starting strongly with seven scoring shots to one.
The home side were unable to maximise their opportunities however, kicking 3.4, to lead by 21 points at quarter time.
After the break, the Demons persisted playing to their structured game plan, but unfortunately with five minutes to go in the second quarter Waaia started to fire up, kicking four goals to zip for the term.
Having the wind in third quarter, Jerilderie did not take the advantage of multiple scoring shots and only slotted seven behinds to Waaia’s one goal.
The last quarter provided a riveting contest, with Waaia kicking two goals to the home side’s one, and the boys never giving up until the final siren.
Ash Thompson continued red-hot form for the Bombers along with Jordan Cleeland and Jesse Trower, with the Bombers second on the ladder.
Ned Beasley, James McRae and Grant Smith were good for the Demons.
Final score, Waaia 7.13 (55) to Jerilderie 4.13 (37).
Best: Ned Beasley, James McRae, Grant Patrick Smith, Marc Shaw, Hayden Smith, Adam Kent
Goals: Nick Parker 1, Tom Sleigh 1, David Gregory 1, Ned Beasley 1.
Jerilderie will be at home again this week when they take on the Deni Rovers on Saturday.
It makes for an interesting clash with both the Demons (eighth) and Roos (sixth) looking to secure a spot in the finals.
The Demons reserves were unable to overcome a strong Waaia side, beaten by 45 points.
The Bombers started strongly in poor conditions leaving Jerilderie scoreless in the first quarter.
Jerilderie started the next quarter strong with Luke Keating kicking Jerilderie’s first and only goal.
Hayden Hughes was using his pace well and pushing forward, Zac Rochford was good in the centre and Andrew Neessen was a solid all-round player.
In the end, the Bombers proved to be too strong, keeping the Dees goalless in the second half on their way to victory.
Final score, Waaia 8.7 (55) to Jerilderie 1.4 (10).
Best: Hayden Hughes, Andrew Neessen, Zac Rochford, Ryan Hetherington, Fergus O’Sullivan and Jack Hatty.
Goals: Luke Keating 1.
Jerilderie’s thirds improved their Picola & District League finals chances with a solid 20 point win over Waaia at home on Saturday.
The victory saw the Demons move to six wins for the year, leap-frogging the Bombers to sit sixth on the ladder.
The young Dees started the first half of the game well, kicking the first three majors.
Ever reliable captain Ben Neessen gave Jerilderie plenty of drive out of the middle while Alex A’Vard, Max Cameron and newcomer Bailey Thornton linked up well across the backline to hold the opposition to one goal in the first half of the game.
The second half saw an undermanned Waaia fight back in the rain to score two quick goals.
The final quarter saw a lift in performance from Oliver Knight, Zander Nash and Rory Knight, allowing the Dees to run away with the win.
Final score, Jerilderie 7.9 (51) to Waaia 4.7 (31).
Best player: Oliver Knight, Zander Nash, Ben Neessen, Nathan Sleeman, Rory Knight, Bailey Thornton.
Goal kickers: Oliver Knight 2, Ben Neessen 2, Zander Nash 1, Justin Lawton 1, Rory Knight 1.
Jerilderie’s fourths kept their finals hopes alive with a dominant 63 point win.
The young Dees started well against the wind with great passages of play to lead by seven points.
The backline was solid and kept Waaia scoreless to halftime.
Cruz Nash and Lucy Simpson started moving the ball well linking up some great passages of play.
Travis Lawton was in and under getting plenty of possessions, Logan Eldrige also displayed some good attack and was rewarded with a goal.
Darby Edwards-Parsons was attacking well in the forward line and Johnathan Shen played well in the ruck and provided good chasing and tackling throughout the game.
Final score, Jerilderie 8.15 (63) to Waaia no score.
Best: Cruz Nash, Travis Lawton, Jason Ray, Logan Eldridge, Jonathan Shen, Lucy Simpson
Goal kickers: Cruz Nash 3, Travis Lawton 3, Logan Eldridge 1, Darby Edwards-Parsons 1.