The Grafton Tigers have continued their strong start to the 2012 AFL North Coast competition with a convincing victory over the North Coffs Kangaroos at Leisure Park, Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
In the wet and slippery conditions, it was the Tigers who were able to control the ball better to put on a 2nd half scoring blitz to romp home victors by 103 points.
The victory took Grafton’s win record to 10 strait, a first for the club in its 29 year history.
The final margin could have been considerably greater. The Tigers held a comfortable edge in the midfield, but wasted numerous opportunities due to the slippery conditions, particularly early on, to put the Roo’s to the sword.
The Tigers almost held the home side goalless in the rain soaked opening term, as both sides struggled with the greasy conditions, it was the Grafton midfielders who made better use of the ball, two goals to Sam Morrison and one to Luke Haymen allowed the Tigers to go to the first break with a 14 point lead, North Coffs scoring their only goal of the quarter in the dying seconds from a Jason Mayer grubber in front of goals.
The second quarter saw more of the scrappy play, North Coffs came out hard and matched it with Grafton but the solid Tiger defence continually repelled any attack, the Roos did manage two goals for the term off the boot of Brendan Norton, but with Grafton adding four goals to their own tally through Carl Boehme, Rod Newman and another each to Hayman and Morrison, the gap at half time had extended to 34.
Any chance North Coffs had at coming back at the Tigers in the second half were short-lived, with captain Dan Zacek and full forward Lee Anderson able to find plenty of space inside 50, the pair combining to score all six of Grafton’s goals for the term to extend the Tigers lead at the final change to 57 points.
Grafton continued their momentum for the final quarter and were continually able to make first use of the ball, the dominance of the Tiger midfield allowed the Grafton forwards plenty of opportunity to add to the lead, what followed was a 8 goals to 1 final term, with Anderson kicking 5, Carl Boehme slotting 2 and flying winger Chris Holder adding the final goal of the day with a sensational solo effort through 3 defenders, only a lone goal to the Roos Jason Mayer kept the home side from being held scoreless in the final term as the Tigers ran out winners by 103 points.
Final Scores:
Grafton Tigers: 21.17 (143)
Goal Kickers: L. Anderson 10, C. Boehme 3, L. Hayman 2, R. Newman 2, S. Morrison 2, D. Zacek , C. Holder
North Coffs Kangaroos: 6.4 (40)
Goal Kickers: B. Norton 2, J. Mayer 2, N. Harris , J. O''Connor
Anderson finished with ten goals in a clinical display in the forward line . Scott Onus was terrific in the midfield while the backs of Kelly Thompson and Justin Darby imposed themselves at all stages. Grahame Connolley was solid all match, and earned the bragging rights over his brother Kirt in the ruck contest.
The Win puts Grafton on top of the AFL North Coast ladder after 2 rounds, followed by Port Macquarie who had the bye this week and Sawtell who defeated Coffs Swans 122 to 30 in the other match of the weekend.
Next week see’s the Tigers play host to the Coffs Swans at Ellem Oval on Saturday.
Last Modified on 01/07/2012 15:40