A HANDFUL of homecoming heroes have got the job done in the opening round for Woorinen, the Tigers playing spoilers in the first match of Michael Herlihy’s tenure at Swan Hill.
After roaring out of the gates, the Tigers kicked eleven goals to three in the first half, running away 40-point winners 19.5 (119) to 12.7 (79).
Returning pair Josh Stone and Clayton McCartney provided a strong forward threat throughout the day, each finishing the game with four goals to their name.
Towering ruckman Arnold Kirby was another damaging presence, whether in the ruck or as a goal kicker, booting a bag of three in his first match back in the yellow and black.
Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria said he was “very, very happy with the way everyone performed” but was impressed by some names familiar to Tigers fans.
“It was amazing to see that all those blokes who were previously at the club and have come back this year, all have a huge impact today,” he said.
“It was fantastic, with our fast ball-movement and having a couple more dangerous guys down forward.
“In the past, we’ve struggled to kick over a hundred points and now our aim is to kick over that mark every week.”
The big-man partnership of Kirby and Lachlan Gardner, who added two goals of his own to the scoreboard, worked fantastically for the Tigers in nullifying the threat of Swan Hill’s Tobias Thoolen.
With both playing out the entire game without a rest, Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria said the partnership was “a really good luxury to have”.
“We’ve always been renowned out here at Woorinen, but have just been lacking a ruckman,” he said.
“Now we’ve got two local guys who also happen to be two of the stand-out ruckman in the league.
“They complement each other incredibly; it gives us fantastic representation forward as well as having one up the ground.”
Doug Beams was a standout in defence for Woorinen, picking off the Swans attempts throughout and rebounding down the ground with the assistance of Woorinen wingmen Tom Langford and Tim Gammon.
Trailing by 51-points at half time, Swan Hill wrestled the momentum back in their direction after the main break.
Returning to his old home-ground in his first match in the maroon and white, Tom Isma was the Swans most damaging player, providing speed around the contest and scoring two goals.
In their first matches with the Swans, Toumpas and new coach Michael Herlihy were integral in the fightback, as were Jose Miliado and skipper Luke Phelan in his 150th senior match with the Swans.
Herlihy shared time between midfield and the Swan’s forward line and put in a strong debut with two goals.
Under close attention from Woorinen’s Lachlan Warburton at stoppages, former AFL player Jimmy Toumpas was able to work his way into the game after the first half.
Defenders Tom Holdstock and Anthony Lewin both put in strong showing for the Swans, keeping the Woorinen forwards accountable and remaining composed in disposal.
Herlihy said while he was pleased to see his side play the way they wanted, he was still disappointed in allowing Woorinen to get the jump.
“After half time we got the ball back on our terms and played the way we wanted to play,” he said.
“We seemed to be turning the ball over a lot at stoppages, so we just needed to sort out our structures and limit those turnovers.
“It really allowed us to move the ball that bit quicker and break through their lines a bit easier.
“It was pleasing to see that quick ball movement, but you really can’t give a side like Woorinen the chance to get that sort of head start.”
The Swans brought the margin down to less than five goals in the third, but Woorinen were able to gain the upper hand in the final quarter.
The Tigers had the answer to any of the Swans momentum throughout the game’s late stages, adding five goals to the Swan’s four in the final term.
Both sides fought through tired legs late in the game, with Demaria pleased with his side’s ability to fight through fatigue.
“With the game style that we can play, it can be quite demanding,” he said.
“Come the third quarter, that definitely showed, we had blokes coming off and cramping up left, right and centre.
“As soon as that fatigue sets in, everything falls away with it. I may have been getting bit frustrated, but it can be expected in round one.”
Swan Hill will be chasing their opening win as they host Tooleybuc-Manangatang next weekend, while Woorinen will take confidence from this match as they host Nyah Nyah West United.
FINAL SIREN
| WOORINEN | 5.2 | 11.4 | 14.5 | 19.5 | 119 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWAN HILL | 1.1 | 3.1 | 8.6 | 12.7 | 79 |
VOTES:
3 – Douglas Beames (Woorinen)
2 – Clayton McCartney – (Woorinen)
1 – Josh Stone – (Woorinen)
