Woorinen has set up a mouth-watering top three battle with Cohuna after comfortably accounting for fellow finals contender Tyntynder on Saturday.
After a momentum shifting first term, the Tigers took control, kicking 10 goals to three after the quarter-time to run away with a commanding 14.17.101 to 7.6.48 victory.
Woorinen have now won their last 11 matches and head into this year’s finals series as the in-form team to beat. Tyntynder, on the other hand, will have much soul searching to do, with the manner of the loss a great cause for concern for the Bulldogs’ brains trust.
Tyntynder’s inability to hit targets by either hand or foot under intense pressure was troubling. The Dogs continuously turned the ball over forward of centre, with their heavy reliance on spearhead Jason Eagle at times playing into the hands of the Woorinen defence.
The visitors were very Eagle conscious going forward, but he didn’t let them down, finishing with five goals as the only shining light inside the attacking 50. His contested marking – sometimes with two and three opponents hanging off him – was a highlight.
Woorinen controlled the game with their not only their pressure but their contested ball winning ability, with a plus 11 contested ball count in their favour in the first three quarters when the game was there to be won.
The Tigers also controlled the game around the stoppages, especially after half-time, with the visitors unable to lock down on Woorinen’s prime movers in Jye Barry, Robbie Miller or Arnold Kirby.
Robert Rush was instrumental for the Tigers with his run and carry, while Taylor Cameron across half back also played a leading role in driving his team forward constantly. Lachlan Wright put in perhaps the most complete four quarter performance however, with the defender turned forward playing the conduit between defence and attack as a leading forward target.
While Wright was posing a threat up the ground, his teammates Lachie Gardner and Adam Saunders created constant chaos deep forward for the Bulldogs’ defence. Elliott Broad and Patrick Crowe both did their best to repel the many Tiger attacks and held firm for the most part.
Elia Ware and Arnold Kirby had a torrid battle in the ruck in the first half, however Kirby certainly took the points after the main break when Ware was moved out of the ruck, going forward in an attempt to provide another focal point for his team.
In a further sour note for the Bulldogs, midfielder Tom Bull suffered a knee injury late in the second quarter and took no further part in the game – and must be in some doubt for the Bulldogs clash with Kerang this Saturday. Woorinen also finished with three on the bench after Bailey Codling received a badly corked thigh in the opening term and took no part in the second half.
VOTES
3 – Lachlan Wright (Woorinen)
2 – Jye Barry (Woorinen)
1 – Robert Rush (Woorinen)
MATCH RESULTS
WOORINEN 4.5 7.9 10.12 14.17.101
TYNTYNDER 4.1 5.2 7.5 7.6.48
GOALS – WOORINEN – Lachlan Gardner 4, Robbie Miller 2, Adam Saunders 2, Lachlan Wright 2, Jye Barry, Josh Domaille, Jordy McInnes, Mitch Uhlhorn 1.
TYNTYNDER – Jason Eagle 5, Brodie Bennett, Cayden Crowe 1.
BEST – WOORINEN – Robert Rush, Jye Barry, Arnold Kirby, Taylor Cameron, Lachlan Wright, Adam Saunders
TYNTYNDER – Jason Eagle, Elia Ware, Patrick Crowe, Elliot Broad, Kyle Brasser, Brodie Bennett
