Brendan Lines

BL&GFA Football

Central has locked away the double chance with a dominant 68-point win over Kapunda in the Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association clash at Gawler Oval on Saturday.

Both teams were under no illusions that victory was crucial to their prospective finals campaigns.

Central was looking to cement second place, while Kapunda needed a win to guarantee it a spot in the top four.

Not mincing his words, Tigers’ coach Damien Herzick made the situation clear to his charges, saying, “make no mistake, this is our first final”.

Bombers’ coach Michael McCarthy focused his team on delivering four solid quarters of football but, given the season’s critical stage, reminded his players to “look at the big picture”.

Central ruckman Craig Jamar led the attack with the game’s first two goals.

Kapunda mounted a response, but turnovers were costly and goals then came from Matthew Phillips, Kyle Wurst and the returning Charlie Molyneux.

The Bombers finally broke through on the scoreboard with some late goals through Daniel Johncock and Brett Baillie, but by then the Tigers had established a 26-point lead at quarter-time.

Herzick was pleased with how his side had capitalised on opposition turnovers, but demanded the Tigers not be complacent, saying he wanted “the same commitment; not just now, but for the next 30 minutes”.

The Bombers returned service to Central early in the second term, again through Johncock.

Quick to respond, Tigers Josh Edwards and Brad Mercer banged on goals to extend the lead to 56 points at half-time.

Herzick implored his squad to “keep the intensity up” at the break, while McCarthy kept a positive note and asked his team to “challenge them and take them on in every aspect of the game”.

Staring down the barrel of imminent defeat, Johncock again led the Bombers’ early charge with a goal.

But the Tigers continued to punish turnovers with consistent midfield pressure, led by Molyneux and Wurst.

Ahead by 69 points at the final change, Herzick demanded his Tigers continue to send a message to their possible finals rival with “30 minutes of relentless football”.

It was Mercer who answered the call, banging home four unanswered goals to guide Central to victory.

Mercer finished with six majors, while Johncock led the Bombers’ goal-kickers with three.

Gawler Central will look to sink Freeling’s finals aspirations this weekend, while Kapunda will fight to remain in the top four when it takes on Angaston.

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