Strong signs from Ongerup despite winless campaign at annual Great Southern Colts Carnival

Ongerup Football Association showed encouraging signs despite not winning a game during the Great Southern Colts Carnival in Lake Grace at the weekend. The OFA had their most competitive outing in the opening clash of the long-running carnival against neighbouring rivals the Great Southern Storm. In the play-off for seventh and eighth, Ongerup were no match for Esperance on Sunday morning but had two representatives in the Great Southern 20. Newdegate utility Tristan Ballard and Gnowangerup midfielder Jacob Hemley were both recognised for their outstanding performances to be picked in the Great Southern 20. Ongerup took it right up to the Storm in the first half of their clash on Saturday and a booming goal from Henry Hawker after the half-time siren gave the hosts plenty of momentum. They trailed by only 24 points at the long break but the Storm skipped clear in the last half to win by 54 points. Ballard was superb against his former side while Hemley, Hawker (two goals) and Jackson Callope were also impressive in the 5.4 (34) to 13.10 (88) defeat. On Saturday afternoon Ongerup then met Lower South West, who had also lost earlier on. Ryan Baker managed the only goal for Ongerup as they went down by 58 points, 1.6 (12) to 10.10 (70). Hemley and Ballard were again superb while Kyah Sier worked tirelessly. Two losses on day one put Ongerup into the seventh and eighth play-off but they suffered an 88-point loss to Esperance. Hemley, who was the captain of the OFA, broke the goal drought for his side late in the piece and was again a valuable contributor alongside Ballard and Clancy Norrish, but they fell well short 1.6 (12) to 14.16 (100). Ballard was named Ongerup’s best at the carnival and Hemley runner-up.