WOORINEN have made it eight wins from eight games this season, as they smashed Swan Hill last Saturday at Woorinen Recreation Reserve.
The 26.16 (172) to 3.4 (22) score confirms that the Tigers have kept their home ground win streak alive, making it four wins from four home games.
Despite the 150 point win, Woorinen’s head coach Tim Free believed that the ball movement was left to be desired, but was happy that they started to connect throughout the game.
“Yeah look it wasn’t pretty at times, I thought our ball movement was left to be desired at times,” Free said.
“But once we were able to connect with the midfield, we looked really dangerous in front of goal, and we used our matchups to our advantage.”
Prior to the contest, it was all eyes on the Miliado boys of Jose and Elijah as they faced up to their old side, and it was clear that there was no love lost from the Swans.
Woorinen also brought in former VFL footballer Kyle Skene to the side, and there was some interest around him as well.
The game began and Woorinen started off flying, kicking seven unanswered goals.
Swan Hill had a few chances especially with having the space provided and uncontested marks to move forward.
But the Swans couldn’t fully capitalise in front of goal as the Tigers stopped them in the last line of defence before they had a chance to score.
During quarter time, Free wasn’t best pleased to see that his boys were allowing the Swans to get all of these uncontested marks.
He specifically wanted them to ‘pressure and locate’ during the second quarter.
Free was asked after the game if he believes that the pressure improved afterwards.
“I think we definitely improved as the game went on, we allowed Swan Hill too much space in the corridor and we didn’t react,” Free said.
“I think we did pretty good to prevent that afterwards and I thought we did better in that area after quarter time.”
The Tigers kept Swan Hill goalless by the end of the first half, with Woorinen having 13 unanswered goals and nine behinds (87) while Swan Hill only had two behinds.
During the third quarter, the Tigers were still strong in front of goal, kicking seven goals, but to the Swans’ credit, they kept pushing and finally got their first goal of the game.
Swan Hill’s half-forward Kallen Heslop managed to bag two goals in that quarter, making him top scorer for the Swans.
Michael Herlihy was pleased with how the Swans played during that quarter, telling his boys that it was the best quarter for Swan Hill all season long during the three-quarter time huddle.
He wanted them to ignore the scoreboard and just to keep pushing regardless.
Woorinen were relentless in the final quarter, kicking six unanswered goals to win by a staggering 150 points.
Free shared that the boys enjoy playing on their home turf, especially with four straight wins at home.
“Yeah 100 per cent, we enjoy playing at home, and we enjoy playing away too,” Free said.
“We are coming towards a six week stretch so we are all looking forward to a rest.
“But all in all, a win is a win at the end of the day.”
Woorinen’s forwards of Douglas Beames and Matt Perry were sensational, kicking five and four goals respectively.
Free was full of praise for the pair, saying they have both really connected well this season.
“Those two have been great all season, they have always helped each other out to really get a good performance in,” Free said.
“It was good to get Kyle Skeen in today for his first game, he kicked a few goals as well.
“But Matt (Perry) and Doug (Beames) really have provided a vocal point for us and played well once again today.”
Free was also very pleased how composed the Miliado boys were against their old side, especially from Jose who kicked three goals on the day.
“Them both were really keen to put in a strong performace against their old side today,” Free said.
“Jose was class during the second half. He really became a talking point during the game.”
Next week will be a league bye, apart for Swan Hill and Tyntynder who will be facing up in a King’s Birthday evening match up.
Free shared what the Tigers will be doing during the break.
“We will be having a few days to rest and recuperate,” Free said.
“A number of players have played consecutive games, so they will definitely need a rest.
“But we will make sure to spend the rest of the week to stay connected and train really well to take on Koondrook-Barham the week after.”
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Woorinen | 7.6 | 13.9 | 20.11 | 26.16 | 172 |
| Swan Hill | 0.1 | 0.2 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 22 |
VOTES
3 – Douglas Beames (Woorinen)
2 – Matt Perry (Woorinen)
1 – Jose Miliado (Woorinen)
