WOORINEN are back on the winners’ list after an impressive 88-point victory against Swan Hill.
The Tigers were too good for the fast-starting Swans and ran away with the game to win 18.14 (122) to 5.4 (34).
The day went from bad to worse for the Swans, with Zach Mihocek missing the second half after aggravating a right hamstring injury.
From the opening siren, both sides battled to find clear space at the contest with the two midfield groups vying to get first use of the ball.
Swan Hill started the game the better, key forward Mihocek opening the goal tally within a minute.
When Xavier Moloney quickly followed with a long bomb that just crossed the goal line, Swan Hill were looking up for the fight.
Woorinen put a stop to that momentum, and when William Collicoat kicked the Tigers’ first of the day, it seemed to motivate his side.
Goals to Jye Barry and Ben Hunt followed before Collicoat added two late goals to finish the quarter with three to his name.
While his side finished the quarter strongly, Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria said alarm bells were ringing after their slow start.
“I was a little bit concerned in that first quarter,” he said. “They started very well and kicked the first two, but we were able to bounce back pretty well.
“We were second to the ball early on and our pressure wasn’t there. We knew we couldn’t let two goals turn into three or four, so it was nice for us to turn that around so quickly.”
The Swans showed what they could do when they get first use of the ball, Moloney kicking his second goal before a minute had elapsed in the second term.
But they were unable to build on that momentum as Woorinen seemed to have an answer for every Swan Hill challenge.
Late in the second term Mihocek, who was pushing hard on a lead, pulled up grasping his right hamstring.
Swan Hill coach, Cal Beasy said Mihocek knew straightaway his day was over.
“He’s played enough footy to know when it’s no good,” he said. “So he just brought himself straight off.
“It looks like he’s strained it again, but at this point we aren’t sure how bad it is.”
During the main break, both coaches told their sides to aim to move the ball quickly through the middle and contest harder.
But Woorinen ran away with the game, kicking nine second-half goals to one. Collicoat added two in the second half to finish his day with a bag of six.
Swan Hill’s Thomas Thoolen and Matthew Wade again battled tirelessly for the Swans, while Barry, Thomas Isma and Lachlan Gardener were effective for the Tigers.
Swan Hill will aim to turn around their fortunes in what is to be an intriguing King’s Birthday clash with Tyntynder.
FINAL SIREN
| SWAN HILL | 2.0 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 34 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOORINEN | 5.4 | 9.6 | 14.10 | 18.14 | 122 |
VOTES:
3- Jye Barry (Woorinen)
2- William Collicoat (Woorinen)
1- Thomas Isma (Woorinen)
