Tigers turn it on, beat Eagles

South Bunbury’s workmanlike brand of football ensured the Tigers overcome a spirited Collie Eagles 16.14 (110) to 8.7 (55) at the Collie Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Mat Michael, Corey Griggs, Adam Bignell and Chris Cross got the Eagles away to a good start with Cross and Bignell goaling from well out early in the term while the Tigers struggled to score.

The tallest player in the league, Warren Atwell, was making it tough for the Tigers Wes Lammie at the ball ups but Lammie did well around the ground to give his side drive along with the likes of Brett Robinson, Shaun Crane and Damon Bull.

The Tigers defence with Ryan Smith and Dylan Harper in excellent touch and Matt Wilkinson and Corey Rota adding great support shut down the Eagles and held them scoreless from halfway through the first term until the same period in the second when Jayce Fontana found space and goaled from half forward.

After a six point opening term the Tigers rattled on four quick goals in the second with Brynn Francis, Adam Hunter and Leigh Kohlmann all looking dangerous around the sticks.

Hunter finished with four for the game with his marking a feature and his work with the other key forwards a good sign for the future.

The Eagles reduced the 22-point half-time deficit to just four points as Cross, Griggs and Tony Mirabella all goaled but the Tigers steadied with Tyson Lee in his first game and Nat Fielding adding majors to turn the tide.

Lee looked as if he will be back to his best in quick time while Fielding produced what was probably his best game for some time and used his experience to great advantage.

From that point on the Tigers were able to stretch the margin out to 55 points at the final siren with six straight in the fourth.

A feature of their play was the way they moved the ball in defence with their spread and use of the handball to create a loose man.

Mat and Talan Michael, Griggs, Bignell, Cross and Atwell continued to battle it out for the Eagles but the Tigers were too strong with a number of their key players finding plenty of the ball and looking to be tuning up for the run into the finals.

Scoreboard

South Bunbury 0.6 5.11 10.14 16.14 110 def Collie Eagles 2.1 3.1 7.2 8.7 55

Goals:

TIGERS – A. Hunter 4, B. Robinson, B. Francis 3, N. Fielding, L. Kohlmann 2, T. Lee, C. Rota.

EAGLES – C. Cross, A. Bignell, T. Mirabella 2, J. Fontana, C. Griggs.

Best: TIGERS – R. Smith, W. Lammie, D. Harper, S. Crane, B. Robinson, N. Fielding.

EAGLES – C. Griggs, M. Michael, A. Bignell, M. Blackford, C.Cross, W. Atwell.

For more news go to our mobile home page at infogo