ANZAC Day football came to Manjimup for Round 3 of the Lower South West Football League season, with the Tyrepower Manjimup League clash between Tigers and Imperials headlining the fixture under lights at Rea Park.
After a cagey start from both sides, Timothy Mayers put the first major on the board for Imperials, courtesy of a 50 metre penalty. Mayer’s goal was the first of 4 for the Magpies in the first quarter, as they went to the quarter time break with a 27 point lead. Alex Handcock also hit the scoreboard with an opportunistic goal inside the first 10 minutes of the game, the first of his 3 for the game as the Magpies forced Tigers onto the back foot.
The 2nd Quarter was a real arm wrestle, as the Tigers defended valiantly, struggling to clear the ball from their defence but determined not to let Imperials do too much damage on the scoreboard. The only goal of the quarter came from Keenan-Cruz Wilson after a superb solo effort out of a stoppage, taking until 23 minutes in. It was the type of goal required to break the stalemate and saw Imperials go to the half time break with a 37 point lead.
After Imperials kicked the first of the 3rd Quarter, it was looking like a tough night at the office for the home side, until they sprung into life. Jed Edwards hit Connor Brown with a lace out pass that led to Brown kicking the Tigers’ first, before Brown followed up 18 minutes into the quarter with a superb soccered goal from the square. When Reece Edwards kicked the Tigers’ 3rd after the three quarter time siren, it felt like the Tigers had worked their way into the contest and given themselves a chance. The margin still stood at 37 points at the final change, but the mini surge from the Tigers gave the large home side crowd hope.
It was the Tigers with the first meaningful attack of the final quarter, but following a tough shot at goal, Imperials looked to counter. Mayers kicked his second for the night from the goal square at the 7 minute mark and that goal opened the flood gates. It proved to be the first of 7 for Imperials in the last quarter as they went on to win 15.11.101 to 4.4.28.
Keenan-Cruz Wilson led the scoring for the Magpies, with 5 for the night, while Cain Milentis and Brandy Armstrong were strong contibutors as they racked up their first win for the season. For the home side, Connor Edwards led the way, while Jed Edwards offered a strong presence at Centre Half Forward after turning out for East Perth Colts during the Easter bye for LSWFL clubs.
Rea Park under lights for ANZAC Day Friday Night Football.
Saturday saw a cracking pair of games to finish the Round 3 proceedings. The previously undefeated Bridgetown, welcomed Kojonup for another test of their 2025 credentials. The Bulldogs found themselves behind at the first change for the first time this season, after two turbo charged starts against Southerners and Deanmill.
Kojonup turned up the pressure in the 2nd Quarter, taking a 16 point lead to the half time break, after leading by 5 points at the first change. With the likes of Clancy Norrish and Lachlan O’Shea leading the way for the Cougars, the Bulldogs struggled to find the same fluid ball movement that had served them so well against Deanmill.
Bridgetown turned the game back their way in the 3rd Quarter, with a 4 goal burst that saw them go to the final change clinging to a 1 point lead. Kyle Wilson and Josh Power were leading the way as they looked to maintain their undefeated record.
Kojonup turned the screws tight in the last quarter, a 3 goal to 2 effort enough to see them home by 2 points, 11.5.71 to 9.15.69. The Bulldogs would have rued their inaccuracy, while for Kojonup Lee Lucev ended the game with 4 goals, and Travis Abbott kicked 3 of his own.
In the final game of the weekend, Southerners opened their account for the season with a 9 point win over Deanmill. It goes to show how close the 2025 season is in the early stages, after Deanmill beat the reigning Premiers in Round 1, only to drop points to Bridgetown and Southerners in their next two outings.
Southerners got the jump as they raced to an 18 point lead at the first change, with Jack Omodei leading the way. The likes of Ben Cabassi and Seaton Thompson were also prominent as the early part of the game went the Souths’ way.
The 2nd Quarter tightened up as both sides looked to take control a single goal to each side seeing the margin move to 24 points at the long break.
Jordan Strahan was once again a target for the Hawks, while Ben Cabassi kept the scoreboard ticking over for Southerners. The 3rd Quarter was a 4 goal burst from the Hawks peg the margin back to 12 at the final change, with Blake East prominent and Brent Nicol also getting plenty of the footy.
The final quarter saw each side add two goals to their total, as Southerners ran out 9 point winners, 9.12.66 to 8.8.57, creating a real logjam on the Manjimup Tyrepower League ladder in the early part of the season. Kojonup and Bridgetown lead the way with 2 wins apiece, while Imperials lead a group of sides with 1 win to their name. Kojonup remain the only undefeated side after just three rounds, in a season that is shaping up to be as competitive as anything we’ve seen.
For all the latest scores, goal kickers and best players – the Lower South West Football League has it’s home on PlayHQ HERE.
