Grafton Tigers AFL team have farewelled their home ground for 2012 in style by wrapping up the North Coast AFL minor premiership for the second year running after a merciless 238 point thrashing of the North Coffs Kangaroos at Ellem oval on Saturday July 14.
With the inform Tigers at full strength heading into the round 12 match, and the Kangaroos missing some key players, it was always going to be a tough assignment for the visitors to stay with the competition front runners.
With the finals fast approaching, Tigers coach Adrian Campbell was determined not to let his players get complacent heading into the match, stressing the importance of disciplined football and playing hard for all four quarters.
From the outset, the Tigers went straight on the attack, pinning the football in their opposition defensive zone and keeping it there for the entire quarter, 4 goals to full forward Lee Anderson, and a goal each to Captain Dan Zacek, Evan Duryea, Sam Morrison, Tim Whalan and Shawn Purton saw the home side race out to a 61 to nil first quarter lead.
Not content with their 9 goal first quarter dominance over the hapless Roo’s, the Tigers then stepped it up a gear in the second term, scoring with ease in a clinical 11 goal display, Anderson continued his goal scoring display with another 5 goals to his tally, Purton adding a further 3 to his own and Zacek, Duryea and midfielder Scott Onus also adding majors, while at the opposite end of the field, the Kangaroos were able to break through the solid Tigers defence to end their drought with a goal to Tom Merrick.
At the halftime break the scores were 133 to 7, and when the Roos failed to take the field after numerous requests from the umpires, there were humorous mutterings within the crowd that they had abandoned the match altogether.
When play did resume, there would be no joy to come for the embarrassed Kangaroos who for a second quarter of the match, were not able to crack the solid Tiger defensive line at all, Kelly Thompson, Ryan Sheather, and Justin Darby were merciless in the Tigers backlines, while up front the forwards of Anderson, Zacek, Purton and Morrison continued to pile on the points.
With the scores at 187 to 7 by the end of the third term, Adi Campbell would have been forgiven for resting a few of his players for the remainder of the game, but instead insisted his troops continue hard until the final siren and not become complacent with their lead.
And they didn’t, with the North Coffs boys spirits well and truly broken, they provided little defence to the rampaging Tigers, who continued their unrelenting attack which began to resemble little more than a training run for the reigning premiers, with the Tigers adding a further 10 goals for the quarter and surpassing the double ton, it appeared the Kangaroos might not even make double figures, but a mark on the final siren to North Coffs player Dean Cook 50 metres out from goal had the youngster feeling the pressure, who slotted the ball for only the Kangaroos second goal for the day.
Final Scores:
Grafton Tigers: 38.24 (252)
North Coffs Kangaroos: 2.2 (14)
Goal Kickers Grafton: L. Anderson 13, S. Purton 7, S. Morrison 5, D. Zacek 4, E. Duryea 3, S. Onus , S. Duroux , C. Boehme , J. Lollback , R. Newman , T. Whalan
North Coffs: D. Cook , T. Merrick
In reserve grade: A 8 goal haul to veteran Tiger and former senior captain, Mark Blundell has helped the Tigers overcome a determined Kangaroos outfit who applied pressure to the home side all game, with only 10 points separating the sides at half time, the Tigers were able to shut down the Roos in the second half to take a hard fought victory in their last appearance at Ellem Oval in 2012.
Final Scores:
Grafton Tigers: 12.3 (75)
North Coffs: 6.7 (43)
Next week has the Tigers travelling to Fitzroy Oval in Coffs Harbour to take on the bottom placed Coffs Swans.
Last Modified on 22/07/2012 12:35