Mathew Allen compiled his second straight bag of six goals and Michael Beeton put in a best-on-ground performance as Halls Head secured their second win on the year with a victory over Waroona at Parnell Street Oval on Saturday.
Seven first quarter goals gave Halls Head all the fuel they needed to fend off a barnstorming Demons outfit, which booted nine goals in the final quarter but still fell short 13.7 (85) to 15.12 (102).
The Lightning stormed out of the gates with an enormous first 30 minutes, piling up seven goals to Waroona’s zip and racing away to a whopping 44-point lead at the first break.
It was a gap the Demons would fail to bridge all game, despite evening the contest after quarter time.
Waroona hit back with three of their own goals kicking with the wind in the second, but Halls Head did enough to minimise the damage and maintain 33-point lead at half time.
The extended that advantage to 56 points at three-quarter-time, before Waroona flipped the script and came charging home in the final term.
The Demons found their feet for the first time in the 2018 season and used them to cut a hole into Halls Head’s lead in the last, but it was too little too late as the Lightning had done enough to ensure victory.
Allen was once again a force up front for the visitors, booting six goals for the second consecutive week, following a day out at Pinjarra in round two.
He now sits second on the league’s leading goal kicker tally with 12, despite not booting a goal in round one.
Beeton’s performance was also outstanding, with the young duo being lauded by coach Adam Boone.
“Beeto’s just one of those guys that throws himself at everything, and he did that really well for us,” he said.
“And Matty has really given us a focal point to kick to up front, which frees up a lot of our other forwards, and we’re rapt he’s getting the results.”
The Lightning have now equaled their entire winning tally from the 2017 season with their second victory.
Boone pinned the club’s early success to players simply enjoying their footy.
“The boys are all buying into what we’re trying to create, and they’re loving getting out on the field, which makes the world of difference,” he said.
“Having said that, we still have a long way to go before we achieve the goals we’ve set.”
It’s just a four-day turnaround for Halls Head, who are back into the action again on Wednesday with an Anzac Day clash against Baldivis.
Waroona won’t play until Sunday, when they host Centrals.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
