Balranald confirmed their standing as the most likely challenger to Kerang’s throne with a 40-point win over Woorinen on Saturday.
The Roos kicked eight of the last nine goals to surge to outright second on the Central Murray ladder, locking away a top three finish and the double chance in the process.
The alarm bells will be ringing at Woorinen, as the Tigers scored just one goal in three-and-a-half quarters in the 9.16 (70) to 4.6 (30) loss.
If the Tigers are to be a threat in September, they need to address the disconnect between their midfield and forward line and their lack of a key marking target.
The scoreboard could have been a lot worse if not for Balranald’s inaccuracy in front of goal, with the visitors kicking eight straight behinds in the third quarter.
Early on, the signs were positive for Woorinen, as they picked their way through Balranald’s press with quick ball movement to slam on three early goals in a frenetic opening term.
But their joy was short lived, as the Roos’ back six adjusted after quarter-time, with Jaxon Neagle, Jack Salau and Harrison Soraggi providing plenty of run off half back.
The Roos also took control in the midfield, with playmakers Matthew Neagle and Ethan Gant winning plenty of the ball, along with Tom Salau and Ian Fuller, but they didn’t take full advantage, often guilty of bombing the ball inside their forward line.
But after the break, Balranald assumed complete control and cruised away to a dominant win.
Matthew Neagle was especially significant around the clearances with his ability to break from the stoppage and use the ball effectively, while his brother Jaxon led an organised back six, intercepting several errant Woorinen forward entries.
Nathan Ablett spent significant time both in the ruck and up forward and played one of his better games for the Roos, while Jydon Neagle came into his own after the main break, after an uncharacteristically quiet first half.
The Tigers did draw some positives from the game, with Lachlan Gardner again getting the better of Jordan Wilkins in the ruck for his second best on ground performance against the Roos this season.
And underrated and undersized defender Matthew Gardner kept gun full-forward Ben Fuller quiet and to just one goal for the afternoon.
Dylan Godwin and Doug Beames also worked overtime in Woorinen’s back line with Ben Booth and Mitchell Taylor out of the side.
Booth and Taylor’s return to the Tigers line-up could well free up Beames or Gardner to move forward and help solve their woes in attack.
Robbie Miller, Josh Domaille and Jye Barry still had their moments in the midfield for Woorinen, but had very little help on a day where even Balranald’s bottom six players had a big impact.
The Roos’ next challenge will be against Koondrook-Barham on Saturday, while Woorinen will freshen up with the bye before also facing the River Raiders.
FINAL SIREN
| Woorinen | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balaranald | 4.3 | 5.6 | 5.14 | 9.16 | 70 |
VOTES
3 – Jaxon Neagle (Balranald)
2 – Matthew Neagle (Balranald)
1 – Jack Salau (Balranald)
