Sport
30 May, 2024
Tigers are sitting pretty
THE Woorndoo Mortlake Tigers are sitting comfortably third on the Mininera and District ladder after a 46-point win over Glenthompson/Dunkeld on the weekend.
The Tigers were in rare form on home soil from the opening bound, marching out to a commanding 6.3 (39) lead over the away side 1.1 (7) to end the first quarter.
By the half the lead had grown to 49 and the Tigers cruised to victory in the second half.
Final score was Woorndoo Mortlake seniors 15.16 (106) defeating Glenthompson/Dunkeld 9.6 (60)
“We started off really well, playing a good first second and third quarter before dropping off in the last quarter,” coach Isaac Templeton said.
“But overall I thought we played a really good game.
“The backline structured up really well for us, which was handy because we were able to rebound out of there.
“The on ballers played well and the forward line has been really good at working to space and overall working together.”
Best players for the Tigers were Thomas Gough, Haydn Templeton, Tyson Hogan, Matthew Pemberton, Brent Fedley and Tyson Osborne.
Goal scoring was led by Matthew Pemberton and Tim Mcintyre (4) followed by Aaron Nietschke and Wayne Loader with two apiece and Damien Pemberton, Jesse Horan and Sam Jasper with one.
“It was a team effort; everyone played well and everyone did well,” Templeton said.
“We’re really starting to play better across the field, which is good.”
This weekend the Tigers will clash with the Ararat Eagles, with the venue giving the side an opportunity to gauge its game plan at the type of venue expected for finals footy.
“It’s a bigger ground this week, and most finals are played on a bigger ground so we’ll be looking to see if the game plan holds up at a bigger venue,” Templeton said.
“We’ll look to generate run and carry from behind the ball.”
The reserves did not fare as well, suffering a 6.7 (43) loss to Glenthompson/Dunkeld 16.9 (105).
Best players for the reserves was Joshua Mahncke, Rhys Casson, Samuel Clarke, Charlie Carmody, Shannon Heron and Jack Clifford.
Goal scorers were Tahi Pompey (2), Tom Carmichael, James Henry, Jack Clifford and Tyler Schafer (1).
Meanwhile on the courts, the Tigers A grade netballers put together a strong performance to record a commanding 56-29 win over Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
“It was a great win for the girls,” coach Brooke Richardson said.
“We have some new combinations from last year so it’s good to get a nice win and keep building those connections throughout the season.
“Just having confidence in each other to let the ball go is the main thing,”
“Allowing ourselves to have those fast passages of play because we know where each other will be and over the confidence to let it go.”
Richardson said the strength of the team as a unit was allowing best players each week to emerge as combinations facilitate standout performances.
“It was a really good day for Sadie and Mia Richie, and Elise Killen,” she said.
“In saying that they’re able to have a strong day because the people around them are playing well too.”
Richardson said the team was looking forward to a tough game against Ararat this weekend which would give her side an indication of what it could achieve this season.
“It’s going to be a really big challenge for us to see if we can hold up our fast play against a stronger side,” she said.
“It’s a challenge we’re ready for.
“Ararat are a strong so it’ll be interesting to see where we sit against them.
“They’re in second for a reason so we’re going to have to make sure we put our best foot forward if we’re going to come away with the win.”