Tigers roar past Roos

STRONG UNDER PRESSURE: North Gambier’s Nick McInerney kicks clear under pressure from West Gambier’s Lewis Lean in a dominant win by the Tigers in Round 8 of Western Border football on Saturday at Malseed Park. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

IN a one-sided contest at Malseed Park North Gambier ran out emphatic 74-point victors over a lack-lustre West Gambier in Round 8 of Western Border football.

The opening term saw an even contest, with the Roos trailing by just nine points.

But from there it was one-way traffic, with the in-form Tigers running away with the game.

The second term saw West add just a solitary behind to its total, while North peppered the goals, heading to the long break with a dominant 40-point advantage.

The third term saw somewhat of a resurgence from the Roos, with three straight goals, but the Tigers managed four goals and a behind to extend the lead further.

With the game in the bag North was not about to relax, booting home its ascendancy in the final stanza, again holding West to just one behind.

For North coach Winis Imbi it was a pleasing result, even in the tight first quarter.

“Steve Wenman was leading the charge with his game plan in the first quarter,” he said.

“They definitely tried some things which would have been encouraging for West, but we still had 15 scoring entries in that first quarter.

“It was tight but we were able to be pretty good defensively.”

Imbi said with a young side it was important to give them time to grow, which he felt was beginning to show as the season progresses.

“We spoke to the boys after the game and we were really happy with certain aspects of our game,” he said.

“We were happy with things we were trying to work on up forward, in the midfield and in defence.

“We are still a young group and the boys need time to grow and to learn their craft.

“We challenged the group after the first quarter, then West had six inside-50s in the second quarter and only kicked one point.”

Up forward Tom McLennan top scored with five goals, while Brad Close and Tom Edwards contributed three each.

However, Imbi said that was not the main focus.

“The pleasing thing about the forward group is they are all doing their bit,” he said.

“A lot of focus does go towards certain players, but the boys are starting to learn we don’t measure them on how many goals they kick.

“Anyone in our side can kick goals and we are rapt with how the forward boys are going and functioning as a group.”

First use of the ball from the ruck contests around the ground was a major focus of the game, with Brett Kennedy standing up for his side against the taller Todd Lewis.

Imbi said with 102 senior games now under his belt, Kennedy had become an integral part of the side moving forward.

“He was playing in the twos, a guy who was probably questioning himself about playing A Grade,” he said.

“He made a commitment to the game and the club and I think he realised how important he is for the team.

“I think one of the pleasing things is he doesn’t play for himself, he plays to provide his team the best opportunity.

“He did what we needed and we are just really impressed with how he goes about his business.”

With the competition proving tougher than last season, Imbi said he simply concentrated on the game ahead and let the rest take care of itself.

“All our energy last week was given to East and all our energy this week went to West,” he said.

“Last time we played West they kicked five goals to one in the first 10 minutes.

“We respected West on the weekend.

“It is a really tight competition so we just have to make sure we keep developing our brand of footy and we will see where that takes us.”