Storm’s title hopes ended after two losses on day one, Peel and Goldfields undefeated teams to fight it out

Great Southern Storm’s chances of winning the Great Southern Colts Carnival were ended with losses to Goldfields and Esperance on the opening day in Kulin. The Storm finished with two wins from their four games today and currently sit third on the ladder heading into their final two matches tomorrow. In a change in format this year, the seven-team carnival will be won by the team on top of the ladder at the end of day two rather than a grand final where the top two sides face off. Peel and Goldfields are both undefeated and will fight out it for carnival victory given they sit two wins and a healthy percentage above the Storm with only two games remaining for each team tomorrow. In a game that is likely to decider the champions, Peel and Goldfields will meet at 12.45pm. Storm face Peel and then Upper Great Southern in their final two matches. Storm registered a gallant 11-point victory in a low-scoring first game over Eastern Districts, kicking one goal in each half while holding their opponents goalless. In a hard-fought contest Storm turned a seven-point half time lead into a 11 2.4 (16) to 0.5 (5) result. Cooper Childs and Mohit Jaggi kicked the goals while Kyle Smith and Ryley Valli were impressive. Storm’s second win of the carnival came against neighbouring association Ongerup in their final game of day one. A 10-goal second half secured the vital percentage boosting 93-point victory. Storm led by only 35 points at half time but dominated the second half as key forward Coen Jackman booted three goals and Seb Ballard and Carson Bristow added two each. Ballard finished with four for the game while Jackman and Bristow ended up with three as their side won 17.6 (108) to 2.3 (15). Darcy Wallinger, Jaggi (two goals) and Smith were among the better players. Storm lost a thriller against Goldfields, going down by just six points after Kyle Smith had a kick after the siren to draw the game. After trailing by 22 points at half time, Storm found another gear in the second half as they slotted five goals but went down 7.9 (51) to 9.3 (57). Smith marked and had a long range set shot from outside 50m that fell short and didn’t register a score. Max Baker was liveley with two goals while Valli and Wallinger both stood out in a losing affair. Esperance proved too strong for the Storm earlier in the day, as a six goals from power forward Jevan Tholstrup helped them beat the Storm by 33 points. Tholstrup was the difference as Storm went down 5.2 (32) to 10.5 (65) despite two goals from Tristan Ballard and Bristow. Rhori Williams-Jolley, Luke Mowaljarlai Jr and Jackman were among the best. Esperance and Upper Great Southern have also won two games while Eastern Districts and Ongerup are yet to register a win. Storm will be chasing a big first-up win tomorrow morning when they take on Peel at 9am.