LSWFL: Imperials defeat determined Deanmill to secure spot in the preliminary finals

Imperials have secured themselves a preliminary final placement after downing Deanmill by 30 points at Pemberton Football Oval at the weekend. In a highly competitive game, Imperials came back in the fourth quarter to crush Deanmill’s grand final hopes, finishing 14.11 (95) to 9.11 (65). The match started with a huge amount of energy on and off the field between spectators and players alike. Both teams applied some intense pressure in the first quarter however it was Deanmill that managed to secure the early lead. Despite trailing by 16 points at the start of the second quarter, Imperials did not wallow in the margin nor the change in weather to a downpour, winning the quarter and securing four goals to Deanmill’s two. Deanmill led 5.10 (40) to 5.3 (33) at half-time. The place slowed in the third quarter with Deanmill ending the goal scoring dry spell 15 minutes into the quarter. Imperials captain Tyler Ipsen (4 goals) immediately answered the Deanmill goal with one of his own. Tensions rose in the last five minutes of the quarter with both teams putting their bodies on the line. Despite Imperials’ best efforts to shut down an effective play, Deanmill scored a final goal in the quarter to stretch the margin to 11 points, resulting in a huge roar of support from the fans. Unfortunately, Deanmill’s steam ran out in the final quarter and Imperials jumped at the opportunity to take the game into their own hands. Scoring two goals early in the quarter, Imperials secured their first lead of the match. The lead changed three times in the next five minutes, play reaching a stalemate with the ball travelling up and down the field without goal conversion. However, Deanmill’s composure dropped in the final 10 minutes, with several passing errors across the field opening up options for Imperials. Working hard, Imperials scored the next five goals, completely shutting down Deanmill to secure the win. Imperials best were Riley Brown, Timothy Mayers, Tyler Ipsen, Reid Chatley, Jesse Potts and Jordan Johnson, while Deanmill’s were Brent Nicol, Blair Fowler, Samuel Tempra, Jacob Henry, Riley Mason and Riley East. Other goal scorers included Jordan Johnson (3), Connor Ipsen (2), Zachary Hall (1), Corey Johnson (1), Memphis Mayers (1), Timothy Mayers (1) and Lachlan Smith (1) from Imperials, and Ben Farquhar (4), Blair Fowler (2), Riley Mason (2) and Kallum East (1) from Deanmill. Imperials will progress to the preliminary finals on September 3 where they will take on the loser of the game this Sunday at 2pm at Manjimup Recreation Ground between Bridgetown and Kojonup.