A SEVEN-goal final quarter has helped Kerang remain undefeated, with the premiership favourites defeating Woorinen by 55 points at Riverside Park on Saturday.
The Tigers were able to stay with the unbeaten Blues throughout the first three quarters, with the home side holding a 14-point lead at the final break.
But the reigning premiers kicked clear over the final 30 minutes to remind the competition what they are capable of.
Kerang captain Josh Nitschke was again a standout, kicking a game-high four goals from the midfield to again push his claims for Jack Betts Medal favouritism in the 15.11 (101) to 7.4 (46) victory.
The Blues were missing several key players, including Nick Lang, who pulled out on Saturday morning with a calf complaint.
So were Woorinen, missing Jye Barry and William Collicoat, leaving the Tigers’ ball movement at times slow and one-dimensional.
The one thing Woorinen couldn’t be accused of was lacking effort. The men in yellow and black pressured their more fancied opposition over the first three quarters.
But the dam wall eventually burst in the last quarter and Kerang coach Troy Coates was happy to again come away with the four points.
“It was pretty tight early and they come out pretty physical,” Coates said.
“They chipped the ball around a lot and had plenty of numbers around the contest, but as the game progressed it opened up a bit more and we got on top of them with our run and speed.
“We were really pleased to come away with a seven-goal win against a quality side, particularly with the calibre of players we had out as well.
“We got through unscathed, which was the first time in a while, so with the week off, hopefully we can get a few boys right and have close to our full-strength side for the second semi-final.”
While Nitschke was a standout for Kerang, so too was Ryan Gillingham in the midfield, along with Sean Hunter off half-back and Troy Davis, who rucked for much of the day in the absence of Lang.
Without Collicoat in attack, Woorinen sent Mitchel Taylor and Lachlan Gardner forward, with Taylor providing a strong marking target and kicking three goals, while Gardner was well held by Josh Hunter.
Another Tiger who had a change of roles was Danko Bzenic, with the energetic half-forward playing on the wing for much of the day.
Bzenic had perhaps his best game in yellow and black and not only found plenty of the ball, but used it well, so much so that the Kerang brains trust were forced to designate Liam Jardine to run with him after quarter-time.
Woorinen’s back line was their other pillar of strength, with Taylor Cameron, Angus Butterfield, Dylan Godwin, Doug Beames and Henry Thompson named among the Tigers’ better players.
It was also a memorable day for Kerang first-gamer Harry Bremner, with the junior kicking three goals and having a significant impact against a quality opponent.
With top spot secured and the Blues just one win away from back-to-back grand final appearances, Kerang are without doubt the team to beat for this year’s title.
Despite having Lachlan Ross, Sam Heavyside, Michael Dalrymple and Lang all expected to return in a fortnight, Coates and his Blues will be taking nothing for granted when they next play in the second semi-final – potentially against the Tigers.
“It’s been a very close season,” Coates said. “We’ve won six games by less than two goals, so it’s not like we’re dominating games.
“I think this year will be one of the most even finals series we’ve seen in the Central Murray for a while.
“United are extremely competitive and they’ve only just snuck in, and Cohuna are a good side and they’ve missed out completely – it will be an interesting month of footy now.”
Woorinen will have no time to rest, with the Tigers to face off against Balranald in this Saturday’s qualifying final, with the winner to go through and play Kerang.
VOTES
3 – Josh Nitschke (Kerang)
2 – Ryan Gillingham (Kerang)
1 – Danko Bzenic (Woorinen)
