Kerang’s season of domination continued on Saturday with a 68-point thumping of Woorinen, confirming the Blues as the team to beat in 2022.
Kerang piled on seven unanswered goals in the first quarter to effectively kill the contest, before eventually going on with the job to run out 21.8.134 to 10.6.66 winners over the Tigers.
The home side had no answer to the opening quarter onslaught, with Kerang slicing the Tigers open on countless occasions as they continuously ran the lines and linked up by hand from half back and through the middle.
Bryce Curnow and Troy Coates finished with six majors each, with the former also creating several others with his forward craft and footy smarts on full display across the four quarters.
It was the midfield battle where the Blues really dominated, however, with Woorinen often allowing the Kerang on-ballers too much time and space. It was the usual suspects from the Blues that did the damage, with Ryan Gillingham, Brad Pay, Marty Kelly and Sam Heavyside all having influential games through the midfield – along with the much-improved Josh Nitschke, who had a fantastic first half before fading out of the game.
Gillingham, in particular, was fantastic, not only with his ability to win the contested ball through the middle, but also contributing on the score board with three majors when resting forward.
Woorinen tried to work their way back into the game after their slow start and were far from disgraced after the first break. Arnold Kirby was magnificent and was easily the Tigers best, producing an outstanding four quarter performance against both Troy Davis and Scott Pay in the ruck.
While Woorinen were able to get their hands on the ball often enough, their constant turnovers under pressure didn’t help their cause – nor their poor decision making when going forward. Too often the Tigers would bomb the ball into their attacking half of the ground, where the well organised Kerang back six would lie in wait and combine to first switch, then clear the ball out to their outside runners.
The ever-reliable Michael Dalrymple was a constant thorn in Marcus Demaria’s side, as was Lachie Ross, who provided constant run and drive off half-back for the Blues.
Although Kerang piled on 21 majors, the Woorinen back six still showed some positive signs under the relentless Blues attack. Youngsters Henry Thompson and Matt Gardner both showed they have a bright future in the yellow and black, while Ben Booth could also hold his head up high.
One of the few negatives for Kerang was the injury of Michael Runciman, who left the field late in the second quarter and took no further part in the game – while for the Tigers, midfielder Robbie Miller ended his afternoon with ice on his quad.
Having taken all before them so far, the ladder leading Kerang will next week enjoy the week off, before hosting the Mallee Eagles in round five, while the Tigers will head out to Lalbert this Saturday in a must win game to their season – and finals hopes – back on track.
VOTES
3 – Ryan Gillingham (Kerang)
2 – Bradlee Pay (Kerang)
1 – Arnold Kirby (Woorinen)
WOORINEN 0.2 2.3 4.5 10.6.66
KERANG 7.1 9.3 15.5 21.8.134
GOALS
WOORINEN – Lachlan Gardner 2, Arnold Kirby 2, Clayton McCartney 2, Josh Domaille, Xavia Elford, Matthew King, Elijah Miliado 1.
KERANG – Troy Coates 6, Bryce Curnow 6, Ryan Gillingham 3, Bradlee Pay 2, Sam Heavyside, Sean Hunter, Caleb Nitschke, Nicholas Stagg 1.
BEST PLAYERS
WOORINEN – Arnold Kirby, Henry Thompson, Robbie Miller, Ben Booth, Jye Barry, Josh Domaille
KERANG – Ryan Gillingham, Lachlan Ross, Martin Kelly, Bradlee Pay, Sam Heavyside, Bryce Curnow
