TYNTYNDER’S finals hopes took a major hit on Saturday, suffering a 16-point loss to Kerang at Alan Garden Reserve.
In a heavily contested game due to the constant pressure applied by both teams, the reigning premiers ultimately proved too strong for a determined Bulldogs, who threatened to cause an upset all afternoon.
The 8.11 (59) to 6.7 (43) win puts Kerang in the box seat to finish the season on top of the ladder, with the Blues closing to within two points of ladder leaders NNW United after their loss to Woorinen, and the Blues having an extra game in hand.
Tyntynder’s path into this year’s finals series looks far more difficult, however, falling to eighth on the ladder and two games plus percentage outside the five with just five games to play.
Both teams struggled to adapt to the slippery conditions under foot, with rain during the week making for a heavily contested battle between the forward-50 arcs.
Kerang were often guilty of overusing the ball throughout the first half, turning it over by hand through the middle of the ground due in part to the Bulldogs’ defensive pressure.
They held the advantage around the stoppages, with Nick Lang superb in feeding his fleet of onballers by dominating the ruck throughout the afternoon.
One of the main beneficiaries of Lang’s tapwork was Josh Nitschke, who dominated the game and racked up possessions at will, along with Tyson Clingan, Sam Heavyside and Marty Kelly.
While the visitors controlled much of the ball through the midfield, they failed to take full advantage going forward, struggling to find a strong marking target up forward and Tyntynder’s well organised defence also making scoring difficult.
At the other end, Jason Eagle proved to be a handful, kicking four goals, including three in the second quarter, with Jayden Magro also contributing two for the Bulldogs as he showed his talent in patches throughout the match.
The problem for Tyntynder was that Eagle and Magro were the only threats, the lone goalkickers for the home side in an otherwise barren forward-half display.
The final quarter in many respects was symptomatic of the Bulldogs’ problems, constantly wasting their opportunities by bombing the ball down the line and straight to Lachlan Ross, Jesse Clark and Bradlee Pay across half-back, who happily intercepted many forward entries.
They did manage to hold their own through the midfield, where Roy George was a constant threat with his sublime skill and ball control, and Marcus Wattie finding plenty of the ball across half-back and through the middle.
Jordi Bibby was another who impressed, along with Isaiah Bull, Brock Storer and Caylan Lyons, who was among the best in the opening quarter.
Kerang’s ability to win the contested ball in the second half ultimately proved the difference, however, with Nitschke, Clingan, Pay and Ross dominating on the inside and across half-back.
Heavyside and Kelly were the other Blues who were influential in the final result, not only winning possession of the ball around the contest, but also applying pressure in defence, a key factor in the 16-point win.
Kerang will host Balranald in another grand final rematch at Riverside Park this weekend, with the Roos the only team to beat the reigning premiers this season, while Tyntynder and the Cohuna Kangas will do battle in a match that will once and for all eliminate one of them from the finals equation.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Tyntynder | 1.3 | 5.4 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 43 |
| Kerang | 2.2 | 5.5 | 7.7 | 8.11 | 59 |
VOTES
3 – Josh Nitschke (Kerang)
2 – Nick Lang (Kerang)
1 – Marcus Wattie (Tyntynder)
