BALRANALD have continued their unbeaten start, putting on a show for their home fans with a hard-fought win over Tyntynder.
A big second half helped the Roos run away with a nine-goal win, sharing the scoring with nine goalkickers to prevail 16.19 (115) to 9.7 (61).
Balranald wasted no time when in possession, breaking Tyntynder’s lines with rapid spread and ball movement to shift the ball forward at all cost.
With both teams ruthless around the contest, Balranald ruckman Jordan Wilkins had the upper hand in the ruck and provided his midfielders with first use of the football.
Roos coach Jydon Neagle praised his team’s ruckman, who he said made the inside work of the Balranald midfield and forward movement that bit easier.
“First hands on it every time is just vital for us,” he said.
“We can run and gun all we want, but we also need to be able to pick up the ball at the same time and win the 50-50 contested ball.
“It’s easy for anyone to look good on the outside, but when it’s your time to be able to pick up that ball you need to be able to compete on the ground.
“Crashing packs, and that body on the line stuff is the way we want to be playing week in, week out.”
Balranald’s Colin Andrews finished the game with a bag of five goals, Lachlan Lellman scored three goals and Jydon Neagle, who kicked two, said it was like his side “has six full forwards”.
Neagle said taking the game on was integral to freeing up his side’s attacking threats.
“For us it’s about taking that risky kick, the one that really opens up the game,” he said.
“We’ve been telling the boys that if they’ve got the chance to run and gun, then they should be taking it on.
“We’re here to play footy and have fun at that same time, so if our guys want to take the game on, they’re not going to be copping any stick for it from me.
“Our conversion could have been a little bit better, but with the way Tyntynder cracked in, which we expected from them, to still be able to have that many shots on goal is a real credit to our boys.
“To have 30 scoring shots, we must be doing something right.”
Neagle said he was impressed by his team’s youngsters, who were working hard to be at the same level of some of the team’s stars.
“Our kids are really starting to stand up,” he said.
“The ones that may have been a bit shy last year, guys like Cruz Joliffe and Jack Helgeland.
“For these boys to be able to step up their game and allow us to have 22 contributors is a real strength for us at the moment.”
Matt Corney and Jayden Magro were two of Tyntynder’s better performers, both getting into the thick of the contest, while Magro added three goals to his performance.
Jason Eagle provided a strong contribution with three goals, while Justin Ellis and Matt Gillbee kicked one and two goals respectively and battled valiantly in the ruck.
Tyntynder coach Jack O’Rourke said there were positives for his side to take from the game.
“I’m actually really happy with our effort,” he said.
“In the end, we were just a little bit outclassed, it’s as simple as that.
“Our attack on the footy was great and our boys continued to show up for one another.
“But in the end Balranald were just a bit too good for us.”
Balranald travel to Barham to take on the River Raiders this weekend, while Tyntynder have an extra weekend of recovery with the bye.
FINAL SIREN
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Balranald | 4.1 | 6.6 | 10.15 | 16.19 | 115 |
| Tyntynder | 2.4 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 9.7 | 61 |
VOTES
3 – Jordan Wilkins (Balranald)
2 – Colin Andrews (Balranald)
1 – Jaxon Neagle (Balranald)
