Tigers had ‘heads up in the clouds’ but still get the win

By Brook Shaune-Bould

A DOMINANT first quarter set up Woorinen for their fifth win in a row, but the Tigers didn’t have it all their own way against an improving Tooleybuc-Manangatang.

The Tigers surged to a 38 point lead at the first change and looked set to run away with the game, but they lost a bit of direction after the break as the Saints kept them in check with an increase in pressure.

Although Woorinen were woefully inaccurate in front of goal after quarter-time, the Saints held sway with them for the rest of the match, ensuring the margin didn’t blow out, with the Tigers eventually winning by 47 points.

The mood in the clubrooms could not have been more different after the game.

Woorinen coach, Marcus Demaria, was disappointed with his team’s performance, despite the win.

“Some of us had our heads up in the clouds,” he said.

“Everyone needs to listen, absorb information and take it out there on to the ground”.

Demaria asked each of his players to review footage of the game and write a paragraph outlining the areas they need to improve on.

He said the Tigers didn’t execute their game plan or remember their goals.

“The first quarter was ok,” he said.

“But we didn’t play the way we wanted to play – so credit to Tooleybuc-Manangatang for not allowing us to do that”.

Tooleybuc-Manangatang coach Dean Helmers was far more upbeat about his team’s performance.

“I was really concerned about our half forward line,” he said.

“Were we going to be able to chase these blokes out today?

“The answer is ‘yes’. There’s a lot to work with here”.

Helmers said his team is still a work in progress.

“It was very even for three quarters,” he said.

“It looked like it could’ve been pretty ugly at the start, to their credit, but we competed on every position on the ground.

“Just a little bit more finesse going into deep forward and it could have been a different story on the scoreboard.”

The Saints took until the final quarter to finally kick their second goal, but were rewarded for their persistence by outscoring Woorinen in the last term.

Ryan Standon, Brayden Pitcher, Ryan O’Shannassy and Sam Hoare were the only goal kickers for the Saints, with one each.

Adam Saunders kicked three goals for the Tigers, while Matthew King and Arnold Kirby each kicked two majors.

Josh Domaille was named best for the Tigers, while Jye Barry again found plenty of the ball.

VOTES

3 – Josh Domaille (Woorinen)

2 – Jye Barry (Woorinen)

1 – Angus Butterfield (Woorinen)

MATCH RESULTS

WOORINEN   6.4   7.8   9.13   10.20.80

TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG   0.2   1.4   1.5   4.9.33

GOALS – WOORINEN – Adam Saunders 3, Matthew King 2, Arnold Kirby 2, Josh Domaille, Lachlan Gardner, Robbie Miller 1.

TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG – Sam Hoare, Ryan O’Shannassy, Brayden Pitcher, Ryan Standen 1.

BEST PLAYERS – WOORINEN – Josh Domaille, Angus Butterfield, Aaron Cadd, Jye Barry, Adam Saunders, Taylor Cameron

TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG – Mitch Ferrie, John Wardle, Alex Powell, Shane Foley, Shylo Smith, Richard Wardle