WOORINEN kept a firm grip on a top-three berth with a comfortable 63-point win over the Mallee Eagles at Lalbert on Saturday.
The win keeps the Tigers a game clear and considerable percentage ahead of the Cohuna Kangas and in the box seat to secure the prized double chance come the end of the home-and-away season.
A six-goal performance from Will Collicoat in the windy and slippery conditions was the highlight in the Tigers’ 15.9 (99) to 5.6 (36) win, with the match heavily impacted by the trying conditions.
Woorinen took full advantage of the wind in the opening term, keeping the home side scoreless while piling on seven goals to break the game open in the first 30 minutes.
The Eagles fought back following the opening-quarter onslaught, but the damage was done.
Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria was pleased with his team’s effort, despite squandering several chances in the third quarter to completely ice the game.
“It might have seemed comfortable on the scoreboard, but it was still hard work for our boys at times,” Demaria said.
“Even though we won by about 10 goals, it was still tough – there were a lot of things that didn’t go to plan, but I guess that’s footy.
“Even last week against Tooleybuc-Manangatang, we had to grind the game out to get the win. (Mallee Eagles) hung in there and fought it out and made us earn the four points.
“Our ball use was good and I felt we were prepared to take the game on a little bit more and that probably proved to be in our favour in the end.”
While Collicoat’s six goals may have been the highlight, it was the defensive performance of Henry Thompson that stood out most, with the defender creating havoc as the loose man for Woorinen.
Jye Barry, Josh Domaille and Mitch Uhlhorn also impacted the game through the midfield for the Tigers, while Brent Macleod was a clear standout for the Mallee Eagles’ onball brigade, with the midfielder not only winning countless possessions out of the centre, but kicking four of the home side’s five goals for the game.
Shaun Harrison was another wearing the blue and gold to show his class, along with Harry Allen, Zac O’Meara, Paul Davis and Beau Bennett. But the Eagles relied on too few to do too much against the well organised Woorinen outfit.
The news wasn’t all good for the Tigers, however, with key forward Ben Hunt injuring a hamstring in the win, which will leave him in some doubt ahead of a must-win clash with NNW United in a fortnight’s time according to Demaria.
“It’s a danger game, and even though we’re back at home, in the past it’s always been a tough game when we play against Nyah at Woorinen,” Demaria said.
“They seem to enjoy playing at our ground and I’m sure that will be the case again.”
FINAL SIREN
| Mallee Eagles | 0.0 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 5.6 | 36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woorinen | 7.3 | 8.3 | 11.7 | 15.9 | 99 |
VOTES
3 – Henry Thompson (Woorinen)
2 – Brent Macleod (Mallee Eagles)
1 – Will Collicoat (Woorinen)
