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.

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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/

 

Tigers maul local rivals

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Brendan Lines

BL&GFA Football

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GAWLER Central dominated Saturday’s local derby with an 89-point victory over South Gawler, a result that ensures the Tigers remain second on the Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association table.

The Tigers’ victory heralded a 15-goal haul by key forward Brad Mercer, who showed an impressive display of goal-kicking accuracy.

Mercer and half-forward Paul Bova harassed the South Gawler defence to collectively kick 18 goals between them.
Central coach Damien Herzick laid expectation on his squad to control the game early, which it did by applying pressure to capitalise on South’s defensive mistakes.

Early goals came freely for the Tigers as young squad members, such as Kyle Wurst, stepped up the attack.

Wurst’s quick and decisive handball skills at ground level helped the Tigers find gaps in the Lions’ defence, and take a controlling 40-point lead at quarter-time.

Lions’ coach Scott Lee instructed his players to contain the opposition’s attack by restricting the
Tigers’ target forwards – a tactic that saw the Lions begin to claw their way back into the contest.

Herzick made it clear his team was to remain accountable for their efforts, and stop the Lions getting back into the game.
The Tigers regained control with some clean centre breaks by Charlie Molyneux, who sent the Tigers into attack.

Much of the Tigers’ forward thrusts focused on Mercer, who was proving nearly impossible for South’s defence to contain.
The Lions’ inability to negate Mercer troubled Scott, who said, “the main difference between them and us is they hit their targets”.

After leading by 45 points at half-time, the Tigers continued to pull away from their cross-town rivals to record, arguably, their best win for the season.

Herzick praised his team for finishing the game strongly and delivering a convincing result, before giving credit to his young players, saying “it shows they belong here”.

For the Tigers, Mercer was easily the most dominant player on the ground, Paul Bova was dangerous around goal and finished with three majors, while Molyneux was important at the stoppages.

For South, Nick White was solid through the middle, while Heath Lawry, Scott Trenorden and Matt Naumann made the most of their opportunities up forward to finish with two goals each.
The win sees the Tigers keep their second spot safe until Saturday, where they will defend it against Kapunda, while South plays host to a rested Angaston unit fresh off the bye.

Featured article at the link below

http://www.bunyippress.com.au/tigers-maul-local-rivals/

Panthers into top four

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Brendan Lines

BL&GFA Football

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SATURDAY’S round-11 clash between Willaston and Angaston yielded the third draw for the 2015 Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association season.

It was a sombre result for both sides, whose efforts went unrewarded in a well-contested game.
The Panthers were ready to pounce on a top -four position and needed the victory to break the mid-table deadlock.

Before the game, coach Matt Herrmann said his team needed “to control what we can, every game is crucial from here on in”.
Emotions were running high for the Donnys, as it was ruckman Jimmy Jones’ final appearance in the red and blue, but Willaston coach Steve O’Connor focused his squad on the job at hand.
“Take on the game, be brave and leave the emotion out of it,” he said.

The Donnys were the early aggressors as they pushed forward to find Michael Hollis, who drew first blood on the scoreboard.

But Angaston’s midfield, led by John Roesler, responded by finding space and drive forward, resulting in a string of goals to Jack Miles, Josh Young and Daniel Williamson.

Donnybrook David Allocca was courageous across half-forward, his second efforts delivering the ball inside the forward 50.
Accurate around the goal front, Hollis scored a late major to keep the Donnys’ deficit to 11 points at quarter-time.

The second term saw Willaston’s young squad turn on a burst of its developing running game to score through Scott White.
However, Angaston on-baller Steve Rusca delivered the Panthers’ response, kicking two of his three goals for the match during the quarter.

A late goal on the siren by Mark Curtis kept the Donnys ahead by two points at the main break.

Both teams were equally determined to find an edge for victory, with O’Connor asking for accountability during the premiership quarter, while Herrmann again looked for his midfield to deliver long.

With a one-point difference at three-quarter-time, an early goal to Angaston was answered immediately by White for the Donnys.
Willaston, again, congested defensively, and rushed behinds, adding to the Panthers’ score, before a desperate drive forward from Donnybrook Jason Collins levelled the scores just before the siren.

The draw came at a cost for Willaston, with Keiran Sankey suffering a dislocated shoulder.

White was a key up forward for Willaston, finishing with six majors, while Hollis’ four goals were equally as important.
Rusca led the Panthers’ charge, finishing with three majors from the midfield, and was aided by impressive on-ball duo Williamson and Greg Bain.

Willaston travels to Eldred Riggs’ Reserve after the bye to take on South Gawler, while Angaston hosts Nuriootpa.

Featured article at the below link

http://www.bunyippress.com.au/panthers-into-top-four/

Tigers respond with tenacity

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Brendan Lines

BL&GFA Football

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WET conditions did not stop Gawler Central taking out a commanding 94-point victory over Angaston in Saturday’s top-four Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association clash at Gawler Oval.

The victory re-establishes the Tigers as one of the competition’s leading challengers for the 2015 premiership.
The Tigers’ season hit trouble in round 13 with an uncharacteristic loss to Barossa District.

However, returning from the bye, coach Damien Herzick demanded a response from his team, saying, “I’ll know if you are serious in the first five minutes”.

Central raced out of the blocks to dominate most of the play from the first bounce, applying pressure on the Panthers’ defence, but the slippery conditions saw many turnovers and both teams could not capitalise.

A goal to Brad Mercer at the 12-minute mark saw the Tigers cling to a seven-point lead at quarter-time.
Panthers’ coach Matt Herrmann was happy with the effort of his team at the one-on-one contests, saying, “we don’t give up on the contests and that is the key”.

The Tigers kept their feet in bog-like conditions and the familiar attack of Paul Bova, Mercer and Tom Dunne began to harass the goal front in the second term, piling on four unanswered goals soon after the break.

Showing more desperation at the contest, it was efforts by Ben Walter and consistent big man Chris Jamar that helped Central to dominate proceedings, and the Tigers continued to score through Sean Brading and Matt Phillips.

Panthers’ forwards Andrew Pech and Tyson Gordon finally responded on the scoreboard, but the Tigers had established a 36-point lead at the main break and gathered all the momentum.
Pleased with his team’s efforts, Herzick asked that his players not get comfortable and continue to respond, saying, “this next five minutes is just as crucial as the first five minutes”.

Respond was exactly what the Tigers did, blowing the game wide open, with early goals to Phillips and Mercer, and stretching the margin to 84 points at three-quarter-time.

With the Panthers only able to try and salvage some pride in the last quarter, the Tigers’ almost ‘Holy Trinity’ of Bova, Mercer and Dunne continued to impart their influence up forward, piling on the goals to seal the Panthers’ fate.

Mercer finished with six goals for the afternoon, with Dunne and Bova slotting four and three, respectively, while Angaston had all single goal-kickers.

The Tigers will now look to carry their momentum into Saturday’s crucial local derby against South Gawler, while Angaston has the week off with the bye.

Featured article at the link below

http://www.bunyippress.com.au/tigers-respond-with-tenacity/