AFTER unfurling their 2023 premiership flag, Kerang continued the celebrations with a 15-point defeat of Tyntynder at Riverside Park.
The Blues’ first win of the season was far from convincing, the Bulldogs taking it right up to the reigning premiers for large periods of the match.
Worryingly for Kerang, it was their second final-quarter fadeout in as many games, having allowed Balranald to kick five of the last six goals a week earlier.
Despite starting a commanding 34-point lead, the Blues conceded unanswered goals in the final term to win 8.9 (57) to 6.6 (42).
While pleased to secure the four points and get his team’s premiership defence under way, Kerang coach Troy Coates was hopeful of rectifying the late fadeouts.
“Saturday was a massive danger game for us, it was low-scoring but still a good standard of footy,” Coates said.
“Both sides played very defensive, which was a big focus for us because I thought we were very poor defensively the week before.
“We would have liked to score more but to keep them to just six goals, especially a quality side like Tyntynder, was pleasing.
“The biggest concern for us was that we dropped away a bit late, we put the cue in the rack a little bit in the last quarter, which was disappointing, especially after last week as well.
“It’s not a fitness thing, I just think we’re a young side this year and we’ll have ups and downs across the season, but overall, I was happy with the way the boys played.”
In the midfield, as they have done for so many years, Kerang held the upper hand.
Marty Kelly and Sam Heavyside were particularly dominant, while Adam Baird and Josh Nitschke influenced the contest at various times as the Blues won the inside-50 count 44-28.
“I thought our midfield was super,” Coates said.
“We put a big focus on winning the ball out of the middle and winning the clearance count against a quality opposition midfield.
“I think defensively we were really good too, especially Josh Hunter, who did a fantastic job on Jason Eagle.
“(Hunter) is very underrated and he did a great job to keep him to just two goals – they went to Eagle a lot and Josh won some really crucial one-on-one contests.
“Being back on our bigger ground suited us a bit more, too, and I thought our run and outside ball use enabled us to get the game played the way we wanted it to be played.”
Tyntynder lost no admirers, their contested ball work proving they are capable of matching it with the best teams in the Central Murray this season.
Ruckman Elia Ware returned from injury in form and was dominant around the ground, and onballers Wattie and Roy George, along with talented winger Lachie Martin, were also solid contributors.
Bulldogs coach Jack O’Rourke was optimistic that bigger things – and scalps – were ahead for Tyntynder this season.
“We stuck to the plan and defended well, we just couldn’t put the score on the board,” O’Rourke said.
“They were a bit cleaner and moved the ball a bit better than us, they just hit their targets and took their opportunities, but our attack on the footy was strong.
“They got on top of us in the second and third quarter, but it was pleasing to see that our boys didn’t throw the towel in, we kept fighting and kept coming at them and that’s all you can ask.
“It was disappointing to lose, but at the same time it’s nice for the boys to realise that if we’re at our best and we stick to the game plan, we can compete with anyone.”
The only negative for Kerang was a knee injury to Jack Daglish, the young onballer to have scans during the week, while forward Jarryd Pertzel was a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury that puts him in doubt to take on Koondrook-Barham this Saturday.
FINAL SIREN
| KERANG | 2.2 | 5.3 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 57 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYNTYNDER | 2.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 6.6 | 42 |
VOTES
3 – Marty Kelly (Kerang)
2 – Marcus Wattie (Tyntynder)
1 – Sam Heavyside (Kerang)
