Sport
4 June, 2026
“Disappointing” round for Power
KOLORA-Noorat suffered its biggest senior football loss of the season on Saturday in the round eight Warrnambool and District match against a much-improved South Rovers.
After an even first quarter, the visitors kicked away to record a 19.19.133 to 12.4.76 win at the Noorat Recreation Reserve.
“It was probably our most disappointing game for the year,” Kolora-Noorat coach Shane Scanlon said.
“We’ve improved a lot from the last couple of years, but having said that from my point of view, it was probably our first game for the year that we’ve really lowered our colours.”
While happy with a competitive first term, Scanlon said South Rovers’ use of the ball became the difference in the game.
“It was pretty good early, both teams turned up ready to go, the first quarter was pretty competitive and quite physical, not malicious but as in both sides were going hard for the footy.
“As the game wore on they opened it up a bit and just had a lot more run and spread than we did, and used the footy better than we did, and in the end they just went over the top of us.”
Fred Beasley and Caleb Kavenagh were among the best for the Power in the loss.
“Fred and Caleb were pretty strong, they played well in the midfield all day.
“Louis Cahill was not mentioned in the best, but he was pretty good in the midfield as well.”
Ruckman Justin Wallace was also a standout on the day for the home team.
“Justin basically rucked all day, like he has been pretty much doing all year, he was well and truly on top in that battle,” Scanlon said.
“That’s one of the things we need to work on, we probably didn’t capitalise on his dominance.”
Oscar Ritchie led the Power’s goal kickers with three, with Nick Castersen kicking two.
“Nick smashed his nose a couple of weeks ago, he wasn’t actually intending to play this week, he ran around at training on Thursday night and said he’s right and was keen to play, so he played.
“He started forward just to see how he would go; ended up going through the midfield, he showed plenty of courage for a bloke who was carrying an injury like that; he backed into a few packs and got cleaned up a few times and got back up, showed plenty of determination, we probably just needed a little bit more of that right across the field.”
This week the Power play Merrivale at Merrivale.
“They seem to have improved a bit from earlier in the year so that’ll be a tough one, we’ve just got to stick at it.”
The reserves saw South Rovers too strong, scoring a 16.13.109 to 6.1.37 win.
Dylan Stone, Mitchell Wyss and Nathan Glennen were best for the Power, with Blair Clark and Cameron Cutler kicking two goals each.
The under 18.5 game saw South Rovers win, 13.10.88 to 2.7.19.
Benjamin Whytcross, Beau Mitchell, Sonny Podger, Luka Krizmancic, Thomas Freeman and Dermot Conheady were best for the Power, with Conheady and Kai Tonkin kicking a goal each.
South Rovers were also too strong in the under 13.5 football, winning 13.9.87 to 0.0.0.
Archie Coxon, Charlie Simpson and Charlie Davis were best for the junior Power.
WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 8
SENIOR FOOTBALL
KOLORA NOORAT v SOUTH ROVERS
Kolora Noorat 12.4 (76) lost to South Rovers 19.19 (133)
Best Players:
Kolora Noorat: Fred Beasley, Justin Wallace, Caleb Kavanagh, Joel Dillon, Nathan Wyss, Nick Castersen
South Rovers: Zac Urquhart, Sandon Williams, Jack Hope, Aiden Grant, Ben Oates, Patrick Blythe
Goal Kickers:
Kolora Noorat: Oscar Ritchie 3, Nick Castersen 2, Fred Beasley, Josh Brown, Caleb Kavenagh, Riley Kelly, Craig King, Bradley Lucas, Kai Tonkin, George Beasley
South Rovers: Jack Hope 7, Kurt Lenehan 3, Josh Bell 2, Zac Urquhart 2, Jayden Watson 2, Patrick Blythe, Brendan White, Sandon Williams
In the A grade netball, Kolora-Noorat made it four wins in a row, with a tight 36-34 victory.
“They put lots of pressure on us and they’re an improved, quality side,” Kolora-Noorat coach Lillie Bourke said.
“It was very close, very happy to take away the win.”
Down by a goal at the last change, the Power scored 11 goals to eight in the final term.
Starting on the bench, Emily Forrest came on in the second quarter and was best for Kolora-Noorat.
“Emily’s got a sore knee at the moment, but she came on and really showed her Hampden experience with her composure and strength in the ring, as well as being able to score when it was most important.”
Forrest led the scoring for the Power with 15 goals, with Bourke shooting 12 and Tara Elliott nine.
Molly Bourke and Hannah O’Connor were also in the best for the Power.
“Molly and Hannah were fantastic in the mid-court, they just ran all day.
“They got some crucial turnovers and really showed their experience as older players in a crucial tight game.”
The A reserve game saw Kolora-Noorat win 33-26.
Hayley Collins, Amarli Lawlor and Zoe James were best for the Power, with Collins shooting 20 goals and Grace Lee 13.
The B grade game saw the Rovers score a 42-26 win.
Alexandra Smith, Amarli Lawlor and Lucy Eldridge were best, with Smith shooting 15 goals.
The 17 and under netball saw Kolora-Noorat win 40-29.
Harriot Riches, Mayci Dwyer and Eliza Beaton were the Power’s best, with Riches shooting 22 goals and Eliza Beaton 18.
Kolora-Noorat scored a 17-15 win in the 15 and under game.
Zoe Roberts, Jade Byron and Remy Herry were best for the Power, with Skyla Coburn scoring 12 goals.
South Rovers got the points in the 13 and under game with a 22-18 win.
Tilli Hutchins and Lexie Williams were the Power’s best, with Indi Blair shooting 11 goals.
The 11 and under game saw Kolora-Noorat win 14-13.
Aila Messer, Rosie Selman and Sophie Simpson were best for the junior Power team, with Selman shooting nine goals and Simpson five.
WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 8
A GRADE NETBALL
KOLORA NOORAT v SOUTH ROVERS
Kolora Noorat (36) defeated South Rovers (34)
Best Players:
Kolora Noorat: Emily Forrest, Private player, Hannah O’Connor
South Rovers: Molly Anderson, Georgia White, Ashlee Pavletich
Goal Scorers:
Kolora Noorat: Emily Forrest 15, Lillie Bourke 12, Tara Elliott 9
South Rovers: Grace Mugavin 20, Chloe Manuell 13
