Brendan Lines 8-6-2016
SATURDAY’S BL&G clash of the big cats saw Gawler Central post its biggest winning margin for the 2016 season, dominating the reigning premiers Nuriootpa in a 107-point demolition at the dog track.
Giving their counterparts no quarter, Central coach Damien Herzick was exuberant about his squad’s current performance and called upon his charges to respond “from the first bounce, get it done”.
Nuri offered early resistance, getting some momentum through Jason Rodda across half-forward.
The Barossa Tigers’ forward targets were getting the ball, but did not capitalise on their chances.
Ben Walter staved off the early charge by Nuri, posting Central on the scoreboard first.
Nuri showed poise in response, looking more systematic when using the ball.
Barossa Tiger big man Duncan Cragg-Sapsford made effective defensive clearances to set up play forward, and consecutive goals to Rodda and Jordan Robertson soon came.
Central kept on the attack with commendable second efforts from Charlie Molyneux delivering scoring opportunities to Thomas Dunne, Brad Mercer and Kyle Wurst to put the Tigers 26 points ahead at quarter-time.
Nuri senior coach Allan Norton was happy with his side’s early pressure and told his team to “be accountable all over the ground”.
Craig Jamar and Dunne kept Gawler Central on the front foot as the pressure forward became more consistent.
Asserting their authority, the Tigers made earlier efforts look like mere stalking upon their prey as they now went in for the kill.
Opening up a full-frontal attack, Central established a 40-point lead by the 10-minute mark of the second quarter, with Mercer and Dunne contributing five goals towards their collective 12 for the match.
With the Nuri defence working overtime, its forwards barely saw the ball as they afforded only three inside-50 opportunities for the quarter.
Central commanded a 74-point lead at the main break.
The proverbial premiership quarter yielded just that performance from Gawler Central, as Herzick asked for “business as usual”.
Luke Edwards, Jamar and Dunne kept up the assault as the lead blew out to 90 points.
Corey Solly kept pressure in defence assertive, he also posted two majors for the match.
Even though the match was a done deal, Herzick asked for no complacency as he said “you’ve still got to limit their scoring”.
Nuri was no match as it succumbed to the happy hunting of Central in the final quarter as the Tigers posted an easy victory with five goals in the final term.
But the tidy victory is not without its losses, as Central key player Joel Latimer was sidelined for the match with a hamstring injury.
Nuri has a long way to go if it is to threaten any opposition this season, while Central is going from strength to strength and will be sure to carry its form into next round’s match against Angaston after the bye.
Grandprixnet.com 