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Lions’ roar grows louder

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Brendan Lines

PHOTO Braeden Gatt

SOUTH Gawler’s run towards September is back on track after belting Kapunda by 62 points in Saturday’s Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football clash.

For the first time since round four this season, the Lions are back into the top four.

Levelling the ledger at home to three wins and three losses, South is well on its way to making the Den a happy-hunting ground once again, according to player-coach Jack Osborn.

“We’ve made an emphasis on really protecting the home ground and we really went out with that attitude and wanted to show that ‘this is our field, and this how it’s going to happen’,” he said.

“We need to make sure we’re keeping our season alive, the top standard of teams like Tanunda and Angaston are playing amazing football, so we’ve just got to make sure we’re there in the last part of this year to be able to compete with them.”

The conditions at Eldred Riggs Reserve bogged down both teams’ midfielders early, but the Lions dug their claws in and put pressure on the contest with 12 first-quarter tackles.

Grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, the Lions went on to score three first-quarter goals, courtesy of Jarred Johnson, Leslie Baker and Osborn, to gain the ascendancy over the Bombers.

A 21-point margin at the first break looked within Kapunda’s grasp, but the Lions were just warming up, piling on seven goals in the second-quarter.

The under-fire Bombers’ only resistance came from Jack Huggard with 20 disposals and nine marks in defence for the match, as skill errors continued to plague them around the contest.

Lion Josh Wittwer was supreme across half-back, his 13 disposals and five marks for the game turned South’s defence into attack every time and helped set up his forwards.

As Osborn rucked his 0wn ball to snap an early second-quarter major, the Lions went on to make goals look easy as Jackson Dare, Chapman and Baker kicked South away to a 67-point lead at half-time.

The Bombers found some spark as Brad Prior kicked their first, and helped by midfielder Matt Stent’s 13 disposals for the match they closed the gap for inside 50s to 10-8 in the third term.

The Lions led by 60 points at three-quarter-time, after the Bombers hit the scoreboard.

But South was not about to rest on its laurels, as Dom Costanzo kicked truly and Jackson Press slotted his second major to compliment a solid 13 disposals and five marks for the game.

In the end, it was the Lions’ fast start that proved too big of a hurdle for Kapunda to overcome.

https://bunyippress.com.au/lions-roar-grows-louder/

Connelly Cup played in right spirit

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BRENDAN LINES

WILLASTON claimed the Stephen Connelly Cup on Saturday after knocking off Gawler Central by 17 points in Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football.

PHOTO: Bianca Muller

Before the action began, the occasion was marked with a moving ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony by Willaston and Kaurna man Rodney O’Brien.

The Tigers put the Donnys on the ropes early with goals to Nick Hooker and Corey Solly.

But a late major from Jamie Williams kept the Donnys in touch, closing the margin to 13 points at quarter-time.

The momentum swung Willaston’s way in the second term as Josh Waldhuter, Ash Fry and Michael Clinch upped the pressure with a combined 37 contested possessions.

The increase in forward pressure yielded a raft of goals to Williams, Chad Norsworthy and Michael Howson, who all scored, to go into the main change 24 points clear.

Yet, Central were not about to be kicked-off the park and dug deep to make the most of its opportunities up forward, despite Brad Mercer being shut down by the Donnys’ tight back six.

It came down to the Tigers’ half-forwards to do the business, as Solly and Jonty Schultz kicked them back into contention.

Willaston continued to look dangerous, but wasted a few chances at goal by kicking 3.5 in the third term to stay ahead by only 21 points at three-quarter-time.

The last quarter was a shootout as both teams went forward at all costs.

Central’s gun defender, Jaime Wegener, drifted deep into the forward 50, booting three goals in the final term.

The Tigers were in with a sniff, trailing by just nine points early in the last, but even their better accuracy, kicking 5.1 in the second half, was not enough to give them the upper-hand.

Waldhuter and Fry’s ability to create forward pressure countered the Tigers’, as Brodie Cormack and Jackson Phillips’ goals kept Willaston ahead to take the victory.

After the match, players from both sides linked arms in the middle of the ground as a sign of harmony – recognising and supporting indigenous culture and its contribution to the local game.

It’s just the Donny’s fourth win for the season, but senior coach Shaun Baker is confident his side is building.

“It’s starting to pay-off, we always knew this year was going to be a tough year,” he said.

“Now they (the players) are getting some confidence back, they are just doing the little things right and that makes things happen.

“It’s tapping into the first quarter where they (Central) were tougher at the footy, so I stressed to them if we were tougher at the footy, we’ll get better use of the footy, so we were just tougher in those moments.

“Wally (Josh Waldhuter) has actually been a bit sore so I changed it up how he went into the game and came out of the game, he was probably best on ground by far.”

 

https://bunyippress.com.au/connelly-cup-played-in-right-spirit/

Freeling leaves door ajar after loss to Willaston

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BRENDAN LINES

FREELING missed an opportunity to secure finals football after it lost to Willaston by 13 points in Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football on Saturday.

PHOTO: Bianca Muller

The defeat keeps the door ajar for South Gawler, which sits one win behind the Redlegs in sixth place with one minor round game to play.

Freeling faces ladder leaders Angaston this weekend, while the Lions must beat Willaston to have any chance of featuring in finals.

In a season stymied by the loss of premiership points after last year’s salary cap saga, Saturday’s win would have seen the Donnybrooks vying for a finals berth, had they not started two wins behind the rest of the competition.

Despite the setback, Willaston can still take some confidence from its recent winning form, according to coach Shaun Baker.

“There’s a bit of confidence back in the group, you know obviously with all the stuff that’s gone on from last year, it’s taken a while to get their confidence back, they are doing the little things right which makes the big things happen,” he said.

“So, we’re starting to have a bit of consistency in the way we play.”

A stiff breeze didn’t stop Freeling getting off to a competitive start, as majors to Alex Stengle and Ben Heinrich put the pressure on the scoreboard.

Star Donnybrook defender Michael Clinch (19 possessions) set up plenty of forward opportunities, and as Chad Norsworthy slotted the goal-of-the-day from the boundary, with a check-side, the Donnys briefly grabbed the lead.

As Clinch was sidelined with a blood rule, Freeling took advantage of Willaston’s depleted backline to snare a late goal, through Josh Hand, and a fourpoint lead at quarter-time.

A buoyant Freeling kept up the forward pressure, as Willaston conceded goals to Ashley Selleck, Aaron Cocks and Hand in the second term.

But the Donnys were able to fight back, and a late goal to Michael Howson closed the margin to just 12 points at the main change.

Willaston continued to turn the tables in the third, winning the contest in the middle with clean transitions from midfielders Harrison Elbrow (16 possessions), Tyson Irlam (19 possessions) and
senior colt Deakin Davis.

This helped the Donnys win 11 inside 50s to Freeling’s five for the quarter.

The midfielders were able to drift forward and slot majors, with Irlam and Elbrow converting, and Howson getting another.

Willaston led by 21 points at three-quarter-time, but the game was still in the balance.

An unchecked Clinch and Shaun Childs’ four defensive marks controlled the game, wearing down Freeling in the final term.

Fittingly, Donnybrooks captain Josh Waldhuter finished the day with his second major as they shutdown the game and celebrated.

As consistency and confidence builds in Willaston’s ranks, Baker said there are some encouraging signs.

“I just think the young fellas are really starting to stand up and for extended periods of time, you can keep them in the team for longer and don’t have to make too many changes,” he said.

“Last time we got beat up on the inside, so I put it on them all week to be better on the inside (this week).”

 

https://bunyippress.com.au/freeling-leaves-door-ajar-after-loss-to-willaston/

Tigers too strong for Kapunda

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BRENDAN LINES

GAWLER Central is now one win away from the ultimate glory after it defeated Kapunda by 12 points in Saturday’s Barossa, Light & Gawler reserves football preliminary final.

After going six and two for the back-half of the minor round, the Tigers have carried on their winning ways with elimination, first semi-final and now preliminary final wins.

Cooling the jets on the fast-starting Bombers, who kicked five straight goals in the first, the Tigers’ formidable defence led by Kalon Heintze (14 disposals) shutdown everything before them, holding Kapunda goalless for most of the remaining three quarters.

It was a first-quarter blitz by the Bombers, with successive goals to Josh Slater, Wyatt Ryan, Bailey Jones, Josh Rosenzweig and Tristan Kerr.

Kapunda was winning the contest at every turn, as midfielders Bailey Jones (13 disposals) and Josh Slater (17 disposals) combined as the consistent ball winners who sent the Bombers inside 50 nine times to four in the first.

Yet the Tigers scratched their way back into the second quarter, with in-and-under efforts from Matthew Taylor-McDonald (12 disposals) turning the tide in the midfield.

Central’s efforts to hold the ball in their forward line for most of the second was plagued by inaccuracy, kicking seven behinds for the quarter, which allowed Kapunda to maintain a 20-point lead at half-time, but with no additional scoreboard pressure.

Corey Nesbitt’s (three goals) goal in the opening minutes of the third was followed up with a major to Paul Bova (three goals), which got the Tigers back into the hunt.

The pressure was on the Bombers as they gave a free-kick to Bova for holding, well within striking distance of the Tigers’ goal.

Bova kicked truly and put the Tigers in front for the first time at the 15-minute mark of the third.

The Tigers’ grip across defence put the squeeze on the Bombers, as Kalon Heintze’s three marks in defence nulled all three of Kapunda’s forward 50 entries for the quarter.

With their nose in front by just two points at the last change, the Tigers came out swinging with another goal to Nesbitt to kickoff the fourth.

Not to be outdone, Tiger Josh Edwards fired in goal-of-the-day, banging in a goal off a stoppage from 50 metres out.

Kapunda matched the Tigers in contested possessions 25 apiece in the last, but could only manage one to Ryan (two goals) in the closing minutes.

But the Tigers’ triumph was made complete as Bova slotted a third major, his 10th for this final series, to put the Tigers into the big dance.

For two weeks in a row the Tigers have held their opposition scoreless for over a half of footy, and coach Troy Ellbourn says defensive pressure has been the key.

“We’ve definitely been working in the back half of the year on our defensive pressure and setting up a bit of a zone as well on (opposition’s) kick outs, it’s just enabling us to hold the ball in our forward half a lot better than what we did in the first half of the year,” he said.

“To get here now is an absolute relief and I couldn’t be any happier.”

The Tigers will face Angaston for the reserves premiership.

https://bunyippress.com.au/tigers-too-strong-for-kapunda/

A curious look: How Lewis Hamilton is creating a Formula 1 masterpiece

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Brendan Lines

As Lewis Hamilton adds his sixth Formula 1 World Championship to his impressive career, amongst the celebrations, his unbound success and Michael Shumacher — just how is Hamilton’s journey this season helping him create a Formula 1 masterpiece?

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Image: Associated Press

As the champagne flowed at the US Grand Prix on Sunday, the immediate reaction for most was ‘who would have thought?’ anyone would come this close to Michael Shumacher’s seven world titles.

But with all the comparisons and a plethora of statistics drawn between Hamilton and Schumacher aside, are we witnessing a champion more happier in his own skin to face his challenges along the way than simply to beat Shumacher’s record.

Buried in the magic of the moment we heard post-race at the US Grand Prix a side of Lewis Hamilton that reflected upon a more human element to his world championship success, in terms of; the effect from the loss of Nikki Lauda, to battling his demons and his journey towards a masterpiece.

At Sunday’s press conference Hamilton said to www.formula1.com that the loss of Lauda was a great loss to him personally and the team.

“No way has it been the easiest. It’s been the hardest year for us as a team. We lost Niki this year. A crucial member and a real pivotal member of our team and the emotional rollercoaster that we’ve been on with losing him,

“I would say this year that losing Niki, I didn’t think that was going to hit me as hard as it did. It really was upsetting and I miss him dearly today and I didn’t realise how much I loved the guy.”

Yet beneath Hamilton’s cheerful demeanour and all the success, the loss of Lauda and sometimes languishing speed of the Mercedes this year, forced Hamilton to face up to what he says is to be ‘battling certain demons.’

“There’s always the darker side that’s always trying to pull you down and you’re constantly having to wake up… I don’t know how you guys wake up in the morning but I look in the mirror and I’m trying to lift myself up and say ‘yes, you can do it. Yes, you are great. Yes you can be fit if you go and put that time in. Yes, you can win this race if you do the right steps and you continue to believe in yourself, and no one else is going to do it for you,” he said.

Hamilton has become a person who wears his ‘heart on his sleeve,’ speaking more candidly about what it takes to remain successful, wether that’s just maturity alone is debatable.

Clearly Hamilton’s motivations since 2007, as a rookie who was simply hungry for that first win have changed. As Hamilton now draws a more philosophical approach to how he sees his F1 journey unfolding.

At Sunday’s press conference Hamilton said to www.formula1.com he is creating a masterpiece.

“I’m working on a masterpiece and I haven’t quite finished it yet, so I’m trying to understand, I think it takes a long time to master a craft, while I feel like I am mastering it there’s still more to master, there’s still more to add to it, theres still more pieces of the puzzle to add, there’s going to be more ups and downs along the way but I feel like I’ve got the best tools now, at this point at least to deal with those.” 

There is no doubt the biggest part of that masterpiece is his relationship with Mercedes. Where out of Hamilton’s six world titles five of them have been won during Formula 1’s turbo-hybrid era from 2014 under team boss Toto Wolff.

On Sunday Wolff said to the Daily Mail  there maybe no lid on Hamilton’s success.

“I think there is no limit to what he can win. He is still very motivated and you can see he wants to win every single race. As long as that is the case, he can go for more.” 

Later, Wolff said to www.formula1.com there is however a role the team must play.

“If we’re able to provide the drivers with a good car next year, that is competitive, we continue to work on the gaps we still have, try and minimise the mistakes and he has a good season, there is no reason why he couldn’t go for a seventh title,” he said.

If we now pause after all this and ask how does this dominance continue?

We immediately think Hamilton just needs to have the fastest car to capitalise on the current stable regulations, that maybe true — but there is one condition.

As the new ‘game-changing’ regulations for the 2021 season were locked in over the weekend, does it potentially limit Hamilton’s window to 2020 in order to match Shumacher?

The answer to that is anyones guess, but if we look at success the way Hamilton now sees it  — is there really an end date on a masterpiece? Which leaves the possibility to suggest Hamilton’s trajectory of success could well continue despite Formula 1’s shifting regulations, writing a truly unique piece of Formula 1 history next to the greats.

 This website is unofficial and is not associated in any way with the Formula 1 companies. F1, FORMULA ONE, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and related marks are trade marks of Formula One Licensing B.V.

 

 

Bombers’ top-four knockout

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Brendan Lines 27-7-16

KAPUNDA has dealt a blow to Willaston with a 25-point victory in Saturday’s BL&G football clash that saw the Bombers take back a top-four spot.

Bombers’ coach Michael McCarthy was under no illusion about the importance of the high-stakes clash.

McCarthy remained calm and collected during the match, with his instructions clear: “don’t be one-dimensional – look competitive, I want composure and keep control”.

The Donnys’ finals hopes rested on taking victory and looked compromised without midfielder Josh Glenn.

Although the Bombers’ scalp would have been handy, coach Mal Greenwood was adamant “we still need to win another two to keep our chances alive”.

Willaston asserted its superior height at the centre clearances, but was unable to take possession of the ball.

The combination of Brad Taylor and Cameron Matters was quick to take the contest to ground level and set up the Bombers’ forwards.

Adam Jolly and Justin Zanandrea were the benefactors of their good work, scoring early.

At the other end, Kapunda’s Sam McKinnon and Leigh O’Donohue shut down the Donnys’ attack.

Jeremy Johncock kept his side within 10 points at the 20-minute mark, punishing the Bombers’ sloppy disposal.

But McKinnon was proving to be dangerous everywhere, scoring a goal in response, and by the first break the Bombers’ 22-point lead looked quite handy.

McCarthy implored his squad not to get too comfy with the margin as ‘50-50’ contests and disposals could trap the Bombers.

“I want composure, control and don’t panic,” he said.

David Allocca launched the Willaston response with the help of Lachlan Downing, posting majors that saw Willaston look on the rebound.

The home side had the measure of the Bombers as Tyson Irlam looked tidy around the midfield and second efforts by Downing kept up the pressure.

But it was short-lived and Greenwood’s frustration began to show as his team forgot the basics and allowed the opposition to find space.

As a result, Bomber forward Jolly posted two more goals to his match tally.

Greenwood would not accept his side’s lapse and at half-time urged them to “get that hunger, that belief, because this is the day that defines our season”.

The Bombers found their own hunger as Bradley Williams and Zanandrea displayed some midfield run to halt a Willaston comeback.

Subsequently, Williams and Zanandrea began to pile on the goals, along with Taylor and Brohdi Carracher as the margin blew out to 41 points.

Allocca displayed some fight early up forward for Willlaston, rounding out his four majors for the match.

But the Donnys’ defence began to fold again with goals to Zanandrea and Carracher.

The win was mission accomplished for the Bombers as they claimed victory and fourth spot on the table.

Willaston’s road to the finals got tougher, as it now has to take on third-placed Tanunda next week, which could decide the top four.

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/bombers-top-four-knockout/

Lion-hearted South falls short

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Brendan Lines 6-7-2016

GAWLER Central dug deep to defeat a determined South Gawler by 33 points in Saturday’s BL&G footy suicide prevention round clash of the big cats.

Reeling from injuries after their Barossa District encounter, the Tigers were without key midfielders Luke Edwards and Jason Blakemore.

After thumping Freeling, coach Scott Lee’s Lions were hungry for another scalp, and continue pushing for the top four.

Pressure from South was on from the first bounce, and a tough, physical scrap continued all quarter.

The Lions were tenacious as Matthew Foldesdy and David Aldred led the attack.

South committed relentlessly to the 50/50 contests all over the ground.

Aldred’s marking up forward was proving to be a problem for the Tigers’ defence, yielding three goals for the match.

It took a combined effort of Bradley Mercer and Craig Taylor to mount a late response to keep the Tigers within a kick at quarter-time.

Anger was brooding from the Tigers’ coach’s box as Damien Herzick said “you are going to have to take on the contest against a side more desperate than you”.

Lee was upbeat, but realistic of the task ahead, calling for constant pressure at the 50/50 contests.

The claws were out as the Lions took the scrap right to the Tigers with the first major of the second term.

It was clear the Tigers needed new tactics.

Mercer joined the half-forward line, combining with Taylor, Thomas Dunne and Charlie Molyneux.
Goals to each saw the Tigers go into half-time ahead by nine points.

Happy with the intent at the contests, Lee reinforced the Lions’ resolve, saying “keep them working hard for their goals”.

Herzick asked his team for an immediate return to form, saying “show some more belief in what we’re doing”.

Central was back in the contest, in the third, and quelled the Lions’ confidence with an early goal off the back of efforts by Corey Solly.

The Lions’ resolve was now being tested by a more focused and accountable Tigers’ attack.

Momentum on the field teetered, as Matthew Naumann kept South to within two goals of the Tigers’ lead.

However, a goal on the three-quarter-time siren, by Mercer, gave Central the edge.

South kept up the assault, with goals to Nicholas White and Jack Millar reigning in the Tigers in the final term.

However, Mercer, Dunne and Daniel Stanley continued to direct traffic and score goals up forward for Central.

Late goals to Samuel Lee and Ben Kerr gave South a pulse, but that soon changed as Kirk Heberle shut down the Lions’ attack, delivering forward to Mercer and Dunne and icing the game.

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/lion-hearted-south-falls-short/

Merciless Tigers drill Panthers

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Brendan Lines 22-6-2016

GAWLER Central spearhead Brad Mercer was merciless in booting 13 goals, as his side crushed a hapless Angaston by 122 points in the weekend’s BL&G A grade football clash at the Dog Track.

The dominant win saw the Tigers post their biggest victory of the season with a new-look side.

The second half of the 2016 BL&G season kicked off with Tigers’ coach Damien Herzick fielding a team that featured five changes to the side that last played.
Among the changes were debutants Hayden Schloithe and Tyson Duffield.

Central’s big men asserted themselves early, with Craig Jamar dominating the centre clearances and Kirk Heberle setting up play from half-back.

However, Central was not as efficient going forward as their coach might have liked.
Angaston offered resistance with defenders Jamahl McKenzie, Jack Miles and Alexander Brackstone committing to the cause.

The Tigers’ forward harassment eventually paid off, with Charlie Molyneaux scoring the first of his three majors for the match.
Goals began to pile on for the Tigers, with Brad Mercer and Corey Solly enjoying some fine forward delivery.

By the 18-minute mark of the first quarter, Angaston had still not made an inside-50 entry. In the end, the Panthers scored one goal in the first term as the Tigers established a 29-point lead.

Panthers’ coach Paul Sherwood demanded
a response, urging his players to “react and pick up your man; I want aggressive accountability”.

The Tigers remained on the front foot, with Molyneaux scoring early, despite Brackstone’s handy marking in defence for the Panthers.

Mercer scored two goals out of five for the quarter, but the Panthers remained competitive with two majors to McKenzie.

Brandon Downie staved off the Panthers’ attacks and looks to be a player of the future for the Tigers.
Mercer continued to capitalise for the Tigers and, by half-time, the lead had stretched out to 63 points.

Sherwood implored his squad to “keep up the hard work and man up” and Angaston responded, steadying with poise up forward to score through John Roesler and Jack Miles.
Mercer had his own agenda piling on another five goals for the quarter and the Panthers had no match for him.

By three-quarter-time, the margin was 84 points and, showing no quarter, Herzick told his players to “make the most of the opportunity and win it the right way”.
Central applied pressure with direct kicking and maintainance of possession, and Molyneaux, Mercer and Edwards led by example with plenty of goals.

Forward pressure was provided by clearances from Jamar and some handy play by Schloithe across half- forward.
The Panthers will be licking their wounds this week, as they prepare to play Willaston.
The victory came at a slight cost for the Tigers, with Jason Blakemore leaving the game having aggravated a shoulder injury and in some doubt as his side prepares for a top-of-the-table contest against Barossa District this Saturday.

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/merciless-tigers-drill-panthers/

Central reign supreme

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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.

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/central-reigns-supreme/

Magpies bounce back

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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/