OFA thrash GSFL to set up Landmark division 2 title hopes

Ongerup Football Association started their 2016 Landmark Country Football Championships in perfect fashion, demolishing neighbouring rivals the Great Southern Football League by 60 points at Sounness Park on Friday night.

In the first clash of the annual championships played in a regional area, the OFA bashed up their smaller opponents after quarter time on the way to an emphatic 16.7 (103) to 6.7 (43) victory.

Gun midfielder Luke Bairstow again emphasised his quality with a brilliant performance that earned him the Jim Hull Medal for best-afield while ruckman Jayden Brooks smashed GSFL counterparts David Stone and Rick Wallis.

The OFA had winners all over the ground with Corey Byrne controlling the back half against his former competition and fellow midfielders Tyler Caldwell and Dylan Gilbert also winning their fair share of the ball.

The GSFL led at quarter time after an enthralling opening but two goals to key forward Chris Wollaston and singles to Jarrad Offer and Jedd Herbert helped the OFA snatch the lead by half time.

Bairstow and Caldwell fed off Brooks’ dominance in the ruck as the game wore on, pumping the ball inside 50 numerous times to constantly have the GSFL defenders under pressure.

Athletic big man Sam Baddeley-Holmes, also up against his old competition, starred in the second half with four goals while Wollaston took his tally to four and Michael Swarbrick bagged his second and third major in the comfortable win.

The win boosts the OFA’s hopes of making the division 2 grand final at the championships which will continue in Perth on July 9.

Former Hawthorn forward Jarryd Morton didn’t line up for the OFA who were also without key players Brent Bailey, Bill Brown and Aaron Davis.

OFA coach Kelvin Holmes was delighted with the result, saying his side will head to Perth full of confidence.

“We had to wear them down and play the type of footy we want to play,” Holmes said.

“We let them get on our dangerous side in the first, we had to close that up, stop their run and put pressure on them.

“The backline were sensational for us and the midfields and forwards followed.

“We couldn’t get a better start, we are going to lose a few but we’ve got a few to come in.

“It’s always good to beat your brother, so to speak.”