Sport
15 April, 2026
Strong start from Tigers
A FAST finishing Simpson fell three points short of Otway Districts in the Colac and District opening round senior football match at the Gellibrand Recreation Reserve.
Otway Districts won back the Heytesbury Shield with its 11.6.72 to 10.9.69 win.
Lachlan Gass, Jayden Gass, club debutant Jaymz Farrell, Mitch Reed, Jack Hawkes and Gus Hawkes were best for the Tigers in the loss.
Reed kicked three goals and returning key forward Jarrod Garth two.
In the reserves, Simpson started the season with a strong 65 point win, 13.8.86 to 3.3.21.
Jonno Jennings bagged nine goals in the win and was named in the best with Patrick Armstrong and Jaryd Duynhoven.
Simpson had a 22 point win in the under 15s, 5.7.37 to 2.3.15.
Ben Vogels, Tyler Love and Olinto Ferrari were best for the Tigers in the win, with Jyda Randle kicking two goals.
An undermanned Simpson under 12 team had a 98 point loss, 17.4.106 to 1.1.7.
Jordan Beecher kicked the lone goal for the Tigers.
Simpson’s A grade netballers started the season with a 43-40 win over an Otway Districts team who had recruited strongly over the off season.
“We were really rapt from the weekend’s game, it’s great to have the first one on the board and a bit of confidence which is always helpful,” new Simpson co-coach Eliza Duynhoven said.
“Obviously they’ve recruited well, especially with Chelsea Hillman (crossing from Alvie) coming back in, you know every time that you play them that it’s always going to be a tough contest.”
Duynhoven, moving to the goal shooter role, led the way with a match high 32 goals in a game where the Tigers held the lead all day.
Carol Arndell and Paige Salmon were named as best for Simpson, Duynhoven full of praise for their games.
“Sophie (co-coach Sophie Taylor) and I really struggled to actually give the best players because across the court everyone did their job, what we had discussed leading up, everyone was accountable for their role and their job, so it literally could have gone to anyone.
“But probably those two that with Paige being our captain and Cazzie (Arndell) our co-captain, I think just the leadership that they showed on the weekend that they brought to the court, their great composure, they were really good.”
Amy Pemberton returned to the Tigers line-up and made an immediate impact in the centre.
Winning three of the four senior netball games is a big early season boost for Simpson.
The B grade game went the way of Otway Districts, the Demons scoring a 38-18 win, Georgia Arndell leading the Tigers scoring with 11 goals.
Simpson’s C grade team had a 33-26 win.
Kayla Hallyburton scored 20 goals and was best for the Tigers along with Rachael Duynhoven and Sharni Mason.
Simpson also scored a 31-21 win in the D grade netball match.
Kaylee Jansen, Brianna Ferrari and Leesa Seabrook were best for the Tigers, with Ferrari shooting a match high 28 goals.
The 17 and under game saw Simpson record a 22-12 victory and the 15 and under Tigers scored a 27-24 win.
Otway Districts were too strong in the 13 and under game, 27-15.
This week sees Simpson host the Western Eagles at the Simpson Recreation Reserve.
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