Sport
25 June, 2025
Tigers back on winners’ list
SIMPSON scored a third senior football win of the season last Saturday with a 13.17.95 to 12.8.80 win over Apollo Bay at Simpson.
“We’ve gone away from focussing on the scoreboard and results, right now we are just looking to enjoy our footy and have a good vibe,” Simpson coach Damien Pemberton said.
“It was very pleasing to get back on the winners list though.”
The lead rotated between the two teams for much of the first three quarters, an inaccurate Simpson outscoring the visitors two goals nine behinds to three goals straight in the final term.
The variety of goal kickers for Simpson pleased Pemberton.
“Without ‘Whopper’ (injured full forward Nick Harding) we had a good spread of midfielders rotating through and kicking goals,” Pemberton said.
“Brayden Hawkes stepped into the full forward role in Whopper’s absence and did well with three goals.”
Experienced players Brenton De Jong and Tom Leishman were named in the best along with young player Bodhi Crole and defender Zac Anderson.
Beset with injuries, getting games into other players has been the silver lining for Pemberton.
“Other players have had opportunities, we’ve got to have a look at them at senior level as well as getting games into younger players.
“It will hold the club in good stead next year and beyond.”
Pemberton is looking forward to continued improvement this year.
“The morale is still really strong, the players are still giving their all.
“We hope to have a few back after the July bye week and hope to compete well in the back half of the year.”
This week the eighth-placed Simpson will travel to Gellibrand to take on the ninth-placed Otway Districts.
In the reserves, Apollo Bay scored a 14.9.93 to 6.2.38 win.
Luke Hutton, Shaun Guy and Darcy Brookes were the Tigers best, with Aaron Harding kicking two goals.
Third-placed Apollo Bay had a 15.20.110 to no score win in the under 18s.
Xander Weel, Blake Ferrari and Louis Janssen were Simpson’s best.
Apollo Bay registered a 7.9.51 to 2.4.16 win in the under 15 football.
Archer Crole, Lucas Woolstencrtoft and Xander Weel were best for the Tigers.
The under 12 game saw Apollo Bay have a 5.11.41 to 3.5.23 win.
Harry Vogels and Jack Vogels kicked goals for Simpson.
Simpson led all day to record a 67-40 win in the A grade netball.
The win puts Simpson in sixth place on the ladder, behind only on percentage to fifth placed South Colac.
“Pretty stoked with the win, we know these are the type of games we need to win and win well,” Simpson coach Emily Duynhoven said.
The A grade Tigers got off to a strong start with an 18-8 first quarter, an area Duynhoven said her team had targeted.
“We talked about and had a really good warm up to lead into making a strong start, which we did.
“That start gave us the confidence to keep pushing forward in the game, we were up and about.”
Wing attack Milah Crole was best for Simpson in the win.
“Milah is doing a phenomenal job as an under 15 playing A grade,” Duynhoen said.
“It’s fantastic to watch her confidence grow, she takes everything on board and has the confidence to have a crack.”
Duynhoven also had praise for regular centre Shelby Cameron who went back and filled a defensive role.
“With Paige Salmon out, Shelby got moved back and did a fabulous job, she watched and hunted well and really showed her versatility.
“Shelby is really starting to find her feet in A grade.”
A must win game this week for the Tigers against Otway Districts.
“Otway are always tough to beat no matter where they are on the ladder, it’s such an even competition.
“We’ll need to be strong at it from the get go and make sure we play our style of game.”
Simpson also got the points in the B grade netball with a 43-29 win.
Best for the Tigers were Claudia Richardson, Ella Arndell and Tyra Sambell, with Brianna Gass scoring 23 goals and Melissa Drayton 20.
Simpson had a big 51-9 win in the C grade game.
Kayla Hallyburton scored 28 goals and captain Rachael Duynhoven 21, with Kara Tyrer joining that pair in the best players for the Tigers.
Simpson’s D grade team had the bye.
The 17 and under match saw Apollo Bay have a 33-17 win.
Esha Crole scored 13 goals and was named as Simpson’s best alongside Olivia Rhode and Shayla Daniels.
Simpson scored a 40-11 win in the 15 and under netball.
Kustom Robertson scored 13 goals and Keisha McVilly 12, with Milah Crole, Tyra Sambell and Mia Arndell the Tigers best.
Apollo Bay got the points in the 13 and under game with a 20-17 win.
Charlotte Phillips, Alexis Barake and Nyha Ford were Simpson’s best, Phillips top scoring with eight goals.
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