By Trevor Jackson
Kalangadoo 29.27 (201) d Tantanoola 3.4 (22)
WHILE Round 8 of Mid South East football threw up some interesting results, the status quo remained for Kalangadoo, as the Magpies stormed to a 79-point victory over Tantanoola.
The winter blast did not seem to both the Magpies, as they kicked off to a strong start, with a 53-point advantage after the first term, after holding the Tigers to just one behind.
Kalangadoo then added six goals in each of the second and third quarters, before finishing in style with a nine-goal final term.
There were no huge bags of goals but a good spread, with eight individual multiple goal scorers.
Michael Krieger topped the list with six, Patrick Davies kicked five and a gaggle of players added three each.
That included Ben Gregory, Tye McManus, Ben Mules and Braiden Ousey.
Bradley Auld and Brett Lindner added two each.
Kalangadoo coach Kevin Stark said while his side racked up plenty of behinds, he was not too concerned, considering the conditions.
“We weren’t as accurate in front of goal compared to what we have been,” he said.
“A lot of the shots we missed were genuine shots on goal.
“The ball was slippery and wet, especially in the last quarter.
“But if we can generate that many scoring opportunities, we will give ourselves a good chance in any game.”
While the ball may well have been slippery in that final term, it made little difference, as the Magpies ran the game out in their usual manner, resulting in the biggest score of all four periods.
Stark said it was simply a matter of sticking to the game plan, regardless of how the score sits.
“It has been a focus every week to make sure we put in a good four-quarter effort,” he said.
“It is all about making sure we are trying to cut out any five or 10 minute lapses which gives teams a chance to expose us.
“It doesn’t matter who the opponent is or the final result is, as long as it is a real hard effort for four quarters we are happy.”
As the day panned out, it was probably the ideal buildup to the Hatherleigh clash this weekend.
With the Eagles in second place and coming off a loss, Kalangadoo was able to cement its top spot and prove its game plan works in any conditions.
While Stark said he is confident approaching the game, the final outcome was not the big issue.
“I’m not stressed about the outcome, as long as we go out and try to move the ball the way we want to move it, the way we want to play and we play with intent,” he said.
“Then the result should take care of itself.
“I think all the boys are really in good touch and I know Hatherleigh had a bit of a hiccup but they have been in good form.
“It should make for a pretty good hitout.”
