WOORINEN’S unbeaten season continued on unabated at the weekend, with the Tigers defeating Balranald by 121 points.
The 23.18 (156) to 5.5 (35) victory was set up in the second quarter, with Woorinen making full use of the windy conditions to kick six goals, seven behinds after quarter time while keeping the Roos scoreless for the term.
It followed on from a strong first quarter showing with the Tigers going into the first break with an eight-point lead, despite kicking into the wind.
The win sees the Tigers maintain a two game buffer on top of the ladder ahead of next rounds clash with the second placed Mallee Eagles.
While the focus will quickly shift to their next game in fortnight’s time for Woorinen coach Tim Free, the Tigers leader was quick to heap praise on his team’s ability to seize control of the game after being jumped at the start by the Roos.
“We certainly didn’t have things all our own way,” Free said.
“There was a fairly strong breeze that Balranald kicked with in the first quarter and they were able to hit the scoreboard early, which put us on the back foot a little bit.
“But from halfway through the first quarter we we’re able to start getting on top, particularly in the middle of the ground and our forwards were able to capitalise at the back end of the first quarter.
“That sowed the seed for the remainder of the game and we were able to control the majority of the contest.”
Woorinen dominated the match out of the middle off the back of a commanding performance from Lachie Gardner in the ruck.
Gardner was able to give first use of the ball to onballers Henry Thompson, Jose Miliado, Jye Barry and Lachie Warburton, with Thompson once again a clear standout for best on ground honours.
As good as the Tigers’ midfield was, it was their forward line which gained the attention of Free, with Woorinen having 10 individual goal kickers for the afternoon.
“We had a number of forwards that were dangerous all day with Will Collicoat, Kyle Skeen and Doug Beames all kicking multiple goals,” Free said.
“We were quite dangerous up front and able to put a score on the board as the game unfolded.
“We certainly like to share it around and it makes us a little bit less predictable for the opposition, but having multiple threats is important and with the conditions the way they were on the weekend and with such a strong breeze, we had to be quite opportunistic as well.
“It wasn’t easy, even some of the more straightforward set shots weren’t as simple as they may have appeared, so we had to work hard.
“There’s no doubt Balranald tested us at times and made us work hard for our possessions and our scoring opportunities.
“But weight of numbers in the end meant that we’re able to sort of put the score on the board.”
Matthew Gardner was also among the Tigers’ better players at centre half back, with the key defender intercepting many of Balranald’s errant forward entries.
For the Roos, Tanner Coulthard found plenty of the ball, with Will Lowry, Jack Helgeland, Jack Salau, Jarryd Stead, Ian Fuller and Lucas Griffiths among their better players.
Although thoroughly outplayed, Balranald co-coach Jack Salau pointed to the fact that the Roos are continuing to get senior games into their kids in the hope of fast-tracking their development, with Ollie Fitzgerald and Jacob Griffiths both making their debuts.
“It was a tough day for sure, especially with three late outs on Friday and then a couple of injuries early in the game,” Salau said.
“We matched them well in the first quarter but unfortunately fell away after that.
“Was great to have another two local debutants though and the five kids from the colts all showed great signs, so hopefully the clubs in good hands going forward.”
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Woorinen | 4.3 | 10.10 | 15.14 | 13.18 | 156 |
| Balranald | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 35 |
VOTES
3 – Henry Thompson (Woorinen)
2 – Matthew Gardner (Woorinen)
1 – Jose Miliado (Woorinen)
