Kukerin-Dumbleyung pounce in second half to overtake inaccurate Boddington side in round eight of UGSFL

The top four looks all but set in the Upper Great Southern Football League after four convincing wins for the top sides on Sunday, including an emphatic come-from-behind victory for Kukerin-Dumbleyung. Kukerin-Dumbleyung ran out 38-point winners away from home against Boddington on the back of a superb second half in round eight. The Cougars’ 15.14 (104) to 8.18 (66) victory helped them move four games clear in fourth place with six rounds left to play in the regular season. After trailing by 13 points at half-time, the Cougars piled on 10 goals to one in the second half to secure their sixth win of the year. The inaccurate Eagles still led by a sole point at the last change despite the visitors kicking four goals in the third stanza. However, six unanswered final-term goals secured a memorable win for Kukerin-Dumbleyung. Eric Botha, Jordan Jackson and Bradley Oldfield all slotted three goals each for the Cougars. Former WAFL star Justin Joyce was superb in the win along with Ryan Smith, Marshall Browne, Robert Forrest and Nathan Phillips (two goals). Curtis Hansen kicked three goals for the Eagles and Charles Kelsall added two as their side fell to their sixth defeat of the season. Mitchell Salmeri was gallant in defeat while Matthew White, Alek Oliver and Harry Ellis were all named among the Eagles’ best. In other round eight action, a best-on-ground performance from Simon Panizza propelled reigning premiers Williams to an emphatic victory over Wickepin at home. Panizza kicked six goals in a superb display from the midfield to lead the Cats to a 98-point thrashing of the Warriors. The Cats led by 16 points at the first change but put their foot down in the second term slamming home 11 goals to one to set up a 77-point advantage at the main break. Seven second-half goals secured the 23.13 (151) to 8.5 (53) win for the Cats away from home. Daniel Harley supported Panizza’s six goals well with four himself, while Tom Carmichael and Addison Dew added three each. Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis was also influential in the win while Riley Cunningham, Gerard Medlen and Edward Aitken worked hard throughout. The Warriors were best served by Luke Crouch (three goals), Jethro Duffy, Ryan Melvin, Matthew Jukes and Sam Fortini. Brookton-Pingelly notched their seventh win of the season on the back of a strong first half against Wagin in Pingelly on Sunday. Eight first-half goals helped them open up a 23-point advantage at the main change before both sides traded blows in the final two quarters. Lloyd Padwick and Luke Kirk kicked three goals each in the 11.11 (77) to 7.10 (52) win. Mitch White (two goals), Callan Eddy, Matt Dean, Jackson Capurso all impressed along with Jordan and Josh Hughes. Kyle Hammersley was best for the Bulldogs with three goals while Jai Jeffery, Alex Michelon, Mark Allington, Daniel Roderick and Zack Johnston all battled hard.