Sport
2 July, 2025
Tigers win again
SIMPSON scored its second consecutive senior football victory with a 33-point win over Otway Districts on Saturday.
The match, at Gellibrand, was part of the Colac and District Football Netball League’s ‘Let’s Talk’ round for mental health awareness, with both teams wearing alternate guernseys on the day.
The 15.6.96 to 9.9.63 win was pleasing for Simpson coach Damien Pemberton.
“It was a really tough, physical game,” Pemberton said.
“We put together a consistent four quarters with no lapses, it was our best performance of the season so far.”
Key forward Nick Harding made a surprise early return from a hamstring injury and kicked two goals.
“Whopper (Harding) got through training this week and put his hand up to play, he knows his body and what he can do,” Pemberton said.
‘He’s always going to get the best opposition defender and make life easier for our other forwards.”
Simpson had several multiple goal kickers, which was a huge positive for Pemberton.
“In recent weeks with Whopper out we’ve gone away from having a one dimensional forward line to having multiple scoring options.
“Our forward group really delivered on Saturday.”
One player who stood up was Jonathon Jennings, who bagged five goals.
“We needed a big game from Johno and he delivered, he has a real x-factor.
“Getting more consistency from him is something we’ll keep working on.”
Pemberton praised the performance of best players Louis Duynhoven, Zac Anderson and Brenton De Jong, saying they were exceptional over the four quarters.
But it was the team effort Pemberton enjoyed the most.
“The effort across the whole team was fantastic, every player contributed.”
This week Simpson will host Irrewarra-Beeac in the final game before the mid-season break.
In the reserves, Otway Districts scored an 8.5.53 to 6.7.43 win.
Brodie Neal with four and Brock Neal with two combined to kick all of Simpson’s goals, with Jack Balcombe, Bailey Vines and Geordie Ferrari the Tigers best.
Simpson had the bye in the under 18s with Otway Districts not fielding a team in that age group this year.
Otway Districts registered a 5.9.39 to 2.1.13 win in the under 15 football.
Noah Deppeler, Ben Vogels and Xander Weel were Simpson’s best.
The under 12 game saw Otway Districts have a one point win, 4.3.27 to 3.8.26.
Deegan Sambell kicked two goals for Simpson.
In the A grade netball, Simpson scored a thrilling one goal win, 40-39.
“It was a little bit stressful, it was a game we just had to win,” a happy Simpson coach Emily Duynhoven said.
“They’re never an easy team to play, it was a physical, contested match all day.”
Down by two goals at the last change, Simpson scored 10 goals to seven in the final quarter.
“We had to shut out the vocal home crowd in the last quarter, Otway has amazing support for its netball,” Duynhoven said.
“We showed the netball we know we can play.”
Wing defence Chloe Woods was Simpson’s best.
“Chloe was terrific, she plays beautiful netball and is really gaining in confidence in that wing defence position.
“She stopped Otway’s drive down the court, her presence and passing was elite.”
Goal keeper Holly Duynhoven was also in the Tigers best.
“Holly controlled the ring all day and was dominant with her rebounds.
“The way Holly and (goal defence) Paige Salmon worked together down back was superb.”
A huge game awaits this week with the Tigers hosting top of the ladder Irrewarra-Beeac.
“It will be a big game, the way we played composed netball on Saturday gives confidence that we can match those top sides when we get it right.”
Otway Districts got the points in the B grade netball with a 40-35 win.
Best for the Tigers were Melissa Drayton, Tahlia Daniels and Carol Arndell, with Drayton scoring 21 goals.
Simpson had a strong 54-34 win in the C grade game.
Kayla Hallyburton scored 30 goals in a best on court performance with captain Rachael Duynhoven scoring 24.
Casey Tesselaar and Kara Tyrer were also in the C grade Tigers best.
In D grade, Simpson had a 43-12 win.
Best for the Tigers were Brianna Ferrari, captain Sharni Ward and Isabelle Robertson, with Ferrari scoring 23 goals and Ward 20.
The 17 and under match saw Otway Districts have a 34-32 win.
Shayla Daniels, Kaylee Jansen and Esha Crole were Simpson’s best, with Jansen and Crole both shooting 15 goals.
Simpson scored a big 46-24 win in the 15 and under netball.
Kustom Robertson scored 29 goals and Keisha McVilly 17, with McVilly, Milah Crole and Halle Barake the Tigers best.
Otway Districts got the points in the 13 and under game with a 39-7 win.
Nyha Ford, Alexis Barake and Mia Arndell were Simpson’s best, Arndell top scoring with six goals.
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