A 10-GOAL to one run after quarter time helped Woorinen secure a 51-point win over Nyah-Nyah West United in wet conditions on the weekend.
The 12.10 (82) to 4.7 (31) result also sees the Tigers tighten their grip on top spot with four rounds to play, while simultaneously consigning the reigning premiers to an elimination final berth at best.
An overnight downpour and drizzly rain throughout the match made for a highly contested game, with players from both teams made to work hard for every possession.
The Demons controlled much of the play in the first quarter, but were unable to continue the good work after the first break, with Woorinen gaining the ascendency around the stoppages.
Four unanswered goals in the second quarter saw the Tigers turn a seven-point deficit into a 22-point lead at half-time, with the home side locking the ball in their forward half for much of the term.
A clearance differential of plus nine highlighted the home side’s advantage, along with 16 to seven inside 50’s, with Jye Barry, Henry Thompson and Lachie Warburton all finding plenty of the ball.
Their control came off the back of Lachlan Gardner, who started getting on top of NNW United ruckman Blake Larkings after quarter time.
Although Larkings had the better of their duel across the opening 30 minutes, Gardner helped turn the match on its head with his strength in the ruck seeing him win multiple clearances and pose an aerial problem around the ground.
Woorinen’s half back line provided plenty of drive on the few occasions the Demons broke forward of centre, with Taylor Cameron, Matthew Gardner and Blake Reid finding plenty of the ball.
The Demons were far from disgraced however, and if not for some better composure and ball use exiting their defensive 50, may have been a lot closer at the main break.
Matt Perry also provided a strong marking target and posed the Demons defence with some headaches on the lead given the conditions, while Patrick Veszpremi did likewise for NNW United in the opening quarter.
Unfortunately for the Demons, Veszpremi’s opportunities to impact the match became limited after the first change as the Tigers onballers took control.
It was more of the same after half-time from both teams, with persistent rain making possession difficult to maintain.
Woorinen were, however, more adept at doing the basics and were not only able to continue their dominance around the clearances, but also give themselves the cleaner forward 50 entries.
The home side kicked six of seven second half goals, with Veszpremi’s major at the 11th minute mark of the third term the visitors’ last, and only, chance to cheer after half-time.
In a game where the Tigers had winners all over the ground, it was Thompson who was the standout, with the inside midfielder showing exactly why he’s considered one of the leading contenders for this years Jack Betts Medal.
Woorinen had very few passengers, Warburton, Barry, Zack Ryan and Daniel Mase all impressed, along with young defender Xavier Johnson, who showed plenty of promise in the first half.
The Demons also had their share of winners, with defender Nash Richman also impressing in the conditions, along with Zack Threadgold who found plenty of the ball in the visitors defensive half of the ground.
Jordan Iudica was also solid in the midfield, as was Dom Gallo, while Brayden Bigham, Lucas Iudica and Riley Daniels were good early before drifting out of the game in the second half.
Woorinen will start red-hot favourites against Tyntynder this Saturday, while NNW United will be hoping to see the return of several key players when they host Koondrook-Barham in what shapes as a potential preview of this year’s elimination final.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Woorinen | 2.1 | 6.7 | 9.7 | 12.10 | 82 |
| Nyah-Nyah West United | 3.2 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 31 |
VOTES
3 – Henry Thompson (Woorinen)
2 – Taylor Cameron (Woorinen)
1 – Lachlan Gardner (Woorinen)
