In a high-scoring and vigorous game of football Gawler Central beat traditional rival Willaston by 23 points.

Six first-quarter goals to two gave the Tigers the early advantage.

Both sides continued to attack in a shootout after half time when Willaston kicked 12 goals to Central’s 11 but the home team always looked to have a handy advantage.

“It was a rounded team performance and the scoreboard looks after itself when everyone is contributing to the team’s success,” Tigers coach Mark Brant said.

“We needed to consolidate our position in the four and this win achieved that. We are striving for consistency from all players and hope for more improvement in the second half of the season.”

Key match-ups went in the Tigers’ favour as power forward Casey Thomas kicked six goals after half time, and Graham Cooke held Willaston’s Lee Coghill to a haul of two, before spending time in ruck in the last quarter.

Scott Hahn in his 50th appearance for the Tigers and clever small forward Jamie Scott kicked three goals each while classy young left-footer Ryan Clasholm, Brad Taylor and Kirk Herberle all played their parts.

Returning to A grade Andrew Frackowski did his job and kicked two goals.

Michael McLean led the way for Willaston picking up a host of possessions, while the Baker boys, Leslie (five goals) and Shaun worked studiously. Chad Norsworthy was a high possession winner and a strong contributor, as were the two Matts - Brooks and Treloar.

Jarryd Cole kicked three majors, while Chris McLean, Norsworthy and Coghill each kicked two. - Peter Argent

Barossa’s dominance continues

Barossa District continued its winning streak against Freeling which goes back to the 2006 grand final with a crushing 15-goal victory at Williamstown oval.

Any hopes of finals’ football for the Redlegs have now evaporated.

Twelve scoring shots to two in the first term started the procession and the lead continued to grow at each break.

“I thought we finished the game well and it was a solid four-quarter effort,” Barossa coach Rian Nelson said.

“It was good to have the sponsors and volunteers came in to the change rooms to sing the club song after the game.

“Our focus has quickly moved forward to this week’s clash with Angaston as we only drew with them in the opening game of the season.”

The Doggies dominated all areas with dashing defender Darren Sharp, who is becoming one of the premier players in the B&LG, producing a best-on-ground performance.

Captain Matt Stelzer wasn’t far behind while Adam Spencer and big man Glen Chamberlain produced their best games for the season.

Paul Stelzer and Michael Taylor also rated a mention.

Evergreen veteran Damien Lister was effective with six goals, while Daniel Thomas slotted through five.

Special mention goes to two promoted players Craig McAlpine and James Owen who both acquitted themselves well.

Better players for the Freeling side were harder to find. Ben Parish was commendable, as was former North Adelaide league footballer Josh Newberry (three goals).

Travis Muster and Lachlan Heinrich worked hard, with captain Darren Leske while Jess O’Leary battled manfully.

Wayne Holloway is another young Redleg to get an opportunity at A grade level this year, debuting in this match.

Freeling will be looking to drag themselves off the bottom of the ladder this week when they take on Nuriootpa. - Peter Argent

South steps up for finals

South Gawler hosted fellow blue and whites Angaston at Eldred Riggs Reserve on Saturday with both teams trying to push for a place in the top four.

Finals are still a long way off, but early wins and changing fortunes are very important in the tough race for a place in September and last Saturday was the day for one of these challengers to step up.

One (South) did, while the other got stage fright and botched their their opportunity.

South Gawler despite a slow start into the breeze looked to be more determined than the Panthers to push their claim to go up the ladder.

Both teams used plenty of handball and kept the ball alive, however too often Angaston broke their chain of possessions by mishandling or missing their targets.

The Lions were quick to swoop on any such turnovers and reverse the pressure.

At the same time they held their nerve when Angaston had them on the back foot and generally broke their opponent’s surges with some gritty football.

Shaun Woodlands had a tremendous influence and made centre half back his own. Defending with authority he backed his judgement with damaging forays across the centre.

Ostensibly on the wing, Anthony Johnson roamed unhindered and inflicted great damage with four goals to be a match winner.

Casey Schell was a rock in defence and stars like Aaron Bayliss and Lee Makris were damaging.

New South tall Matthew Lutze was also instrumental as a target up forward and relief ruckman. Along with Nathan Kennedy they dominated the aerial contests. Others to do well were four goal full forward Anton Gerardis and a linking Alex Carapetis.

It was an ordinary day at the office for the Panthers and better players over the four quarters were hard to find.

Michael Danielle and Greg Bain caused some headaches for the Lions but really were the only players to come close to holding their own.

Daniel Rathjen on the opposite wing to Johnson had an impact while Stuart White, Brad Hughes and John Roesler tried hard.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Panther hierarchy after what can only be described as a towelling especially in the second half when they kicked just two goals.

South coach Damien Herzick would be overjoyed with his side’s attitude and can look forward positively.

Scoreboard

Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association

Played June 21.

A Grade

South Gawler 2.2 9.2 12.5 19.11(125)

Angaston 4.2 6.5 8.6 8.8(56)

Best: South – A Johnson, S Woodlands, A Bayliss, C Schell, L Makris, M Lutze; Ang – J Roesler, S White, G Bain, B Hughes, D Rathjen.

Goals: South – A Johnson 4, A Gerardis 4, A Bayliss 3, M Lutze 3, L Makris 2, S Foster, L McCracken, C Fowler 1 ea; Ang – K McLean 2, A Pech 2, B Bascombe 2, P Nagel 1, M Danielle 1.

Barossa 7.5 12.10 15.16 22.21(153)

Freeling 2.0 3.1 7.3 10.3(63)

Best: Bar – D Sharp, M Stelzer, A Spencer, G Chamberlain, P Stelzer, M Taylor; Free – B Parish, J Newberry, T Muster, D Leske, L Heinrich, J O’Leary.

Goals: Bar – D Lister 6, D Thomas 5, M Stelzer 3, G Chamberlain 2, H Commane 2, M Taylor, A Spencer, C McAlpine, A Amber 1 ea; Free – J Newberry 3, P Fowden 2, T Ruediger 2, J Lienert 2, S Farley 1.

Tanunda 3.4 8.6 11.8 18.10(118)

Nuriootpa 1.2 5.7 5.12 8.17(65)

Best: Tan – A Kennedy, B Newberry, M Greenwood, J Kieboom, M Underwood, C Underwood, B Britton; Nuri – S Gibson, M Cragg-Sapsford, B Nicholls, J Tregenza, R Foulis, D Vickery.

Goals: Tan – A Kennedy 10, M Greenwood 2, B Wall 2, R Kruger 2, S Rogasch 1; Nuri – S Gibson 3, R Foulis 2, A Fiegert, J Trewren, A Hall 1 ea.

Gawler Central 6.2 10.7 15.8 21.15(141)

Willaston 2.6 5.10 12.14 17.16(118)

Best: Cent – C Thomas, G Cooke, J Scott, B Taylor, R Clasohm, K Heberle; Will – M McLean, M Brooks, S Baker, L Baker, M Treloar, B Dodman.

Goals: Cent – C Thomas 6, S Hahn 3, J Scott 3, A Frackowski 2, B Niklaus 2, C Hill, G Cooke, C Wilson, J Harris, B Taylor 1 ea; Will – L Baker 5, J Cole 3, C Norsworthy 2, L Coghill 2, C McLean 2, M Bornholdt 1, N Trigg 1.

Reserves

South Gawler 6.6 7.6 10.7 13.10(88)

Angaston 0.0 3.1 5.1 6.1(37)

Best: South – S Earwood, J Waters, A Barnes Tripp, M Dimmuccio, M Smethurst, D Butler; Ang – N Taylor, S Bugg, N Egert, J Schultz, B Brook, K Thiele.

Goals: South – S Earwood 3, D Butler 2, S O’Donoghue 2, J Agness 2, T Clift, J Costa, M Dimmuccio, L Officer 1 ea; Ang – N Taylor 2, M Winter, J Talbot, M Pech, A Murphy 1 ea.

Barossa 3.0 4.3 7.5 12.9(81)

Freeling 2.6 6.10 7.12 7.14(56)

Best: Bar – D Goodfellow, J Owen, D Emes, D Handke, C Howarth, J Woods; Free – T Clancy, A Selleck, S Carmichael, T Pilichewicz, A Graham, A Strachan, K Smith, S Schuster.

Goals: Bar – D Emes 4, C Heading 4, D Goodfellow 2, R Hales 1, L Blucher 1; Free – A Strachan 3, D Shaw 2, A Graham 1, P Leske 1.

Tanunda 5.3 7.7 10.8 15.11(101)

Nuriootpa 1.0 2.0 4.1 4.1(25)

Best: Tan – T Stewart, A Quinn, S Schwarz, J Oliver, S Pech, J Ward; Nuri – L Sich, C Linke, B Carter, B Lydeamore, G Taplin, B Noack.

Goals: Tan – L Underwood 3, A Quinn 3, K Falkenberg 3, B Smart 2, A Ey 2, S Pech 1, J Oliver 1; Nuri – D Romeo, T Jensen, B Rohrlach 1 ea.

Willaston 4.2 6.5 8.5 11.6(72)

Gawler Central 0.2 3.3 5.5 7.7(49)

Best: Will – M Chomik, C Rosewall, J Farrow, L Bennie, R Smith, B Silvy; Cent – M Agan, P Bova, P Davis, L Corneliusen, J Holbrook.

Goals: Will – B Silvy 4, R Smith 2, J Farrow 2, S Eberhard, A Higgs, M Chomik 1 ea; Cent – P Bova 4, J Holbrook 2, C Elson 1.

Senior Colts

South Gawler 4.3 8.7 9.12 12.13(85)

Angaston 2.0 5.1 7.4 8.1(54)

Best: South – S Thomas, J Toesland, T Hopgood, A Bain, D Delaney, A Parsons; Ang – A Daken, C Davey, L Baker, N Falland, A Wardlaw, T Talbot.

Goals: South – R Barker 3, T Hopgood 3, D Delaney 2, R Allen, A Bain, P Marschall, D Mussolino 1 ea; Ang – S Rathjen 2, T Adler 2, B McHendrie, A Wardlaw, C Davey, N Falland 1 ea.

Freeling 6.4 10.4 16.5 21.6(132)

Barossa 0.1 1.5 5.6 6.6(42)

Best: Free – J Zanandie, M Humble, A Cocks, M Doherty, R McDonald, J Martin; Bar – A McAlpine, W Aylett, L Smith, D Jug, N Emes, J Hanley.

Goals: Free – A Cocks 5, M Doherty 4, J Zanandie 2, A Schmidt 2, R McDonald, N Anders, T Barnes, B Copperwheat, J Rentz, A McCard, W Ahrens, J Martin 1 ea; Bar – L Smith 3, M Van Dommele, N Emes, A McAlpine 1 ea.

Nuriootpa 3.3 7.6 11.6 13.8(86)

Tanunda 1.1 2.2 2.3 2.7(19)

Best: Nuri – L Smith, B Verne, A Edwards, S Hausler, C McGorman, D Cameron; Tan – S Dalby, A Rosenzweig, J Justin, S Tscharke, T Hamann, L Boschen.

Goals: Nuri – R Modistach 5, M Kurtz 3, J Hollitt, M Patrilli, T Hall, L Smith, C McConnachy 1 ea; Tan – L Agars 1, D Abinett 1.

Gawler Central 2.2 3.3 5.5 7.8(50)

Willaston 0.0 1.1 1.1 2.2(14)

Best: Cent – C Williams, C Molyneux, J O’Hara, L Hewitt, L Kemp, R Oxenham; Will – D Fox, C White, Z Cavanagh, M Gersch, C Miller, G Bruce.

Goals: Cent – A Webster 2, C Bilney, A Cullen, L Stockdale, Z McEntee, C King 1 ea; Will – J Farrow 1, B Trigg 1.

JUNIOR Colts

South Gawler 1.1 1.7 4.9 8.12(60)

Angaston 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1(7)

Best: South – M Demeo, N Bartsch, M Gajewski, J Farrell, B Barker, M Manno; Ang – H Edmead, S Rusca, J Koch, J Wilson, C Piszczuk, B Shattock, S Daken.

Goals: South – J Farrell 2, M Gajewski 2, D Schwerdt, D Marschall, M Manno, B Barker 1 ea; Ang – S Rusca 1.

Barossa 4.2 5.5 6.5 10.7(67)

Freeling 0.1 0.2 1.3 2.4(16)

Best: Bar – A Thwaites, D Curtis, W Aylett, R Sankey, J Madgen, T Thompson; Free – J Ruediger, T Doherty, M Graham, J Robinson, J Hancock, J Ashenden.

Goals: Bar - J Madgen 3, W Aylett 2, E Carpenter, T Lees, R Sankey, T Thompson, J Traynor 1 ea; Free – J Robinson 2.

Nuriootpa 4.5 11.10 15.10 21.12(138)

Tanunda 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0(0)

Best: Nuri – D Burgess, D O’Neil, T Schiller, N Galler, B Hollitt, L Jaunay; Tan – P Neldner, N Reichelt, L Kemp, J Mitchell, D Marshall, J Marshall.

Goals: Nuri – N Galler 5, J Matthews 3, L Jaunay 2, J Baldwin 2, S Lee 2, C Schneider 2, J Jaensch 2, T Schiller, D O’Neil, M Button 1 ea.

Gawler Central 1.0 2.4 4.4 6.6(42)

Willaston 3.3 3.3 3.3 4.3(27)

Best: Cent – J Sharman, A Cox, B Hunt, T Clark, G Coulson, M Pike; Will – B Clinton, J Waldhuter, C Stoll, A Jones, J Conroy, A Maloney.

Goals: Cent – M Pike 2, T Clark 2, B Thacker 1, C Edmead 1; Will – B Clinton 2, J Waldhuter 1, C Stoll 1.