Tigers undone by the Sharks
DESPITE a last-quarter fade-out where it only managed a single behind, Tarwin had enough ‘money in the bank’ to defeat Mirboo North by 16 points at Tigerland on Saturday. Following its round 12 victory, Tarwin is a game and percentage out of the...
DESPITE a last-quarter fade-out where it only managed a single behind, Tarwin had enough ‘money in the bank’ to defeat Mirboo North by 16 points at Tigerland on Saturday.
Following its round 12 victory, Tarwin is a game and percentage out of the Mid Gippsland top six, with forthcoming matches against Thorpdale, MDU, Stony Creek, Toora and Hill End to conclude its home and away season.
In lovely winter sunshine, the mighty Tigers — wearing replica purple and gold jerseys from the 1970s and 80s — trailed by 15 points at halftime.
However, by the last change, Mirboo North was 34 points in arrears, after the Sharks booted 6.2 to 3.1 in the third term.
Those running amok for Tarwin through the midfield and into its attacking 50, included Travis Krause, Jason Kennedy, Lachie Jones and Ben Ellen.
Tarwin’s tall and lean power forward, Matthew Williams, was a goal-kicking machine, with five majors to his name by three-quarter time.
However, Williams’ poster from long range early in the final term, would be the Sharks’ last score for the afternoon.
After an inspiring address from playing coach Damien Turner, Mirboo North began to win more of the contested ball and with some delectable, mouth-watering play, kept the Sherrin in the Tigers’ forward half for 85.75 per cent of the last quarter.
Attacking the ball and opposition possession gatherers with fervour and vigour for the home side were skipper, Hudson Kerr, Joe Brooks, Patrick Lewis and Taj Wilkins.
Sadly for the Tigers, of their nine final-term scoring shots, just one each from Kerr and Blake Peters found the wide opening, with the balance missing left and right of the big white sticks by a mix of narrow and wide margins.
As well, a couple of Mirboo North’s rushed shots under pressure flew out of bounds on the full.
Momentum was definitely with the Tigers, who finished full of running, but they couldn’t finish off their spirited performance where it counts — on the scoreboard.
This Saturday, Mirboo North travels to Meeniyan to confront the MDU Demons.
