Brendan Lines 18-5-16

A RESURGENT Tanunda put aside last week’s defeat, posting a 31-point victory in Saturday’s clash against Willaston in a tight Barossa, Light & Gawler football contest.

Early on, the contest was riveting as Josh Glenn and Jeremy Johncock scored to open a 12-point gap for Willaston.

Tanunda attempted a response, but Willaston’s Shaun Childs led his back six well, marking strongly and mounting the defensive clearances.

The congested defence was then broken up by the Magpies’ running game.

The combination of Jake Snowden and Ben Gordon put the Maggies on the scoreboard, but the Donnys led by seven points at quarter-time.

Willaston coach Mal Greenwood praised his squad’s early efforts, despite wanting more from them.

He said the side was “giving the ball up too easily in our transitions”.

The message was clear from Maggies’ coach Craig Griffiths: “tight in the backs; open in the forwards and don’t let up”.

Willaston found the early momentum again, with goals to Glenn and Stuart Ferenci.

Frustration showed at centre clearances for the Donnys as Tanunda began to break forward.

With early goals, brothers in arms Luke and Jake Snowden swooped in for the Maggies to hit the lead.

The momentum had swung, as goals came to Dion Dutschke and Leigh Westhoff, ensuring the Maggies went into half-time with a 27-point lead.

Craig Griffiths encouraged his team’s efforts and told his squad to go forward “with belief now, we’re turning over a new leaf and it’s just feeling really good”.

Greenwood asked his team to respond and to get the game back on their terms.

David Alloca and Sam Walton headed the Donnys’ response, while Glenn got his side back in the lead by five points at the 12-minute mark of the third term.

The defensive game continued to tighten and tensions flowed over before the last change.

Greenwood said “it’s exciting, you responded to my question. This is a challenge for this club”.

But it was “belief” that Craig Griffiths sought and that’s what he got.

A running game resulted in a flood of goals to Jake Snowden and Lachlan Agars.

The Donnys could only score one major for the final term as Tanunda took victory in convincing fashion.

Willaston will now have to make up lost ground when it takes on Freeling this Saturday, whilst also awaiting the outcome of a knee injury to Shaun Baker.

Griffiths showed pride in his team’s united effort, saying “their focus on the footy was terrific for four quarters”.

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/magpies-bounce-back/