Wickepin keeps slim finals hopes alive with narrow win over fourth-placed Kukerin-Dumbleyung

Wickepin caused an upset in the Upper Great Southern Football League after knocking off top four side Kukerin-Dumbleyung in round 11 on Sunday. It was the first time this season that a top-four side has lost to a bottom four team, as the Warriors finished 14-point victors over the Cougars at Stubbs Park. The 9.15 (69) to 7.13 (55) win helped the Warriors keep their very slim finals hopes alive and move within three games of the Cougars in fourth place with three regular rounds left in the season. The Cougars led by 16 points at the first change however the Warriors kicked five goals to one in the second half to hold a 12-point advantage at the main break. The Cougars trimmed the margin to five points at the last change but three goals to two in the final term sealed the Warriors’ third win of the season. Nic Chidgzey, Jaxon Ramsay and Ricky Cary all kicked two goals in the win while Jamie Miller, Fraser Wittwer, Matthew Jukes and Samuel Fortini were among the better players. Fortini was awarded the game ball by the umpires in the victory. Luca Tizzano and Brad Oldfield kicked two goals for the Cougars who were best served by Eric Botha, Justin and Peter Joyce, Ryan Taylor and Jordan Jackson. Eight goals from Lloyd Padwick guided Brookton-Pingelly to their ninth win of the season and also earned him best-on-ground honours in Think Mental Health Round, the Panthers winning 13.14 (92) to 9.13 (67) against Narrogin Hawks in Narrogin on Saturday. Meanwhile a superb 11-goal haul from Angus Longmire helped Williams to a 20.12 (132) to 4.1 (25) victory over Wagin at Matera Oval on Sunday to keep their top-two hopes alive. Longmire received the match ball from the umpires after his dazzling display.