Gawler Central moved into the top four when they beat previously undefeated Angaston by 16 points at the Gawler showgrounds.

The Tigers could have won this game by 10-goals plus if they had driven home their advantage at three-quarter time, but paradoxically Angaston showed that they could have been possible winners if they had sustained their better periods over four quarters.

Gawler Central’s ‘front four’ set-up based around Casey Thomas, Scott Hahn and Brendan Niklaus leading forwards with veteran Aaron King crumbing off the contests oozes quality and danger.

All four had majors on the board in the first quarter as the Tigers had the first four goals before youngster John Roesler slotted through his team’s first goal

Central led by 32 points at the first break but the visitors lifted their tempo on resumption and with some hard-grafting and running kicked the first three goals of the quarter.

Hahn’s goal at the 21-minute mark stemmed the flow and three further goals had the margin out to 39 points at the main change.

A similar pattern evolved in the third stanza but a late quarter blitz of four goals left Angaston over eight goals adrift at three-quarter time.

Angaston came home with the tide but Central rallied to grab the win.

Gawler Central’s onball trio of Kirk Heberle, Luke Howard and Brad Taylor were standouts for the winners.

Heberle is a class act with good aerial skills, great ball sense and accurate long-range disposal. Howard is a great prospect for the future and was largely responsible for Central dominating the centre clearances.

Taylor with two goals, including a clutch opportunity in the last, and over 30 touches was also at his best. Others to do well were defenders Damien Hillebrand and Ryan Claholm, recruit Casey Thomas and Jake Asher.

Angaston were well served by veteran Matt Doecke who ran all day and was responsible for much of the Panthers’ resurgences when they looked down and out.

Defender Brandon Kurtz put his body on the line for the team and provided effective rebound from defence. Another defender in Brett Woodards may have played himself out of the Panthers’ lineup and into a Bulldogs’ team with another mature display. Onballer Craig Harvey,defender Ashley Clark, ruckman Kym Reimann and midfielder Michael Danielle also performed well.

Bombers fly high

Kapunda retained the Mickan-Shanahan Cup on Saturday with a comprehensive victory over last year’s grand finalists Freeling at Freeling Oval.

It was a first-up win in the time-honoured cup for new Bomber coach Damian Prouse.

For Freeling, it was two losses in a row following their defeat at the hands of Gawler Central a week earlier.

A powerful six-goal second quarter gave Kapunda a 30-point lead, which they continued to stretch during the second half.

The win was accomplished by a significant 53-point margin, raising questions about Freeling’s ability to be a finals’ contender in 2008.

“It was a must-win game and the second quarter opened the game up for us,” Bombers coach Prouse said.

“You could see it building.

“We finally put it together and our intensity was good for four quarters. There were still too many skill errors and poor decision making at times – but there is plenty of upside.”

While the Bombers didn’t have a potent match winner in attack, nine separate players made the goal scores sheets, with the versatile Brodie Cox and robust Andrew Turrell kicking three goals each.

Cox kicked all of his in the important second term.

On-ballers Brad Taylor (with close to 40 possessions) and 2004 Mail Medallist Michael McCarthy reigned supreme in the middle, while Hummocks Watchman recruit Brad Valentine was hard and tough around the contest.

Dallas Keane, an integral part of the back-to-back premierships in 2004-05, has given the side some grunt as well, while Mark Cussadia, after a modest 2007 is returning to the form of the previous couple of seasons.

Connor Browne matched up on potential match winner Scott Leal, breaking even in the contest.

Veterans Adam Pearce, Mick Haseldine and captain Darren Leske were the better of the Redlegs’ performers.

Veteran Paris Fowden was the only real target in attack with three goals. Troy Haseldine did his job in defence, with Nathan Warnest and Travis Muster also being commendable.

Bridesmaids for the past three years, Freeling have a tough task ahead. They have season-defining matches in the next two weeks.

This week they tackle Willaston, who will be fired up after a big loss to the premiership favourites Tanunda on Saturday.

Then, Freeling back up against the Magpies.

Languishing in seventh spot on the premiership, the Redlegs could find themselves a good distance away from the race for the top four with two more losses.

Tanunda terrific

WHO can stop Tanunda?

That question on the lips of every BL&G fan after the Magpies demolished mooted contender Willaston by 70 points at Tanunda on Saturday.

Tanunda are already almost unbackable for the flag only three games into the 2008 season.

With three wins on the trot, all against sides expected to contest for positions in the top four, Tanunda has every reason to feel positive about the season.

The plusses become even greater when first pick players like Mal Greenwood, Sam Agars and John Kieboom are yet to don the stripes.

Add to that the absence of key defender Andrew Prior through suspension, and that there were four changes from last week’s winning team, none of them through injury and it is obvious that not only do they have a great team, but also one with plenty of depth.

Willaston did come away with some credit as well despite the margin.

At half-time they could have chucked the towel in, but as is the nature of the Donnybrooks despite being over eight goals down at the main break they staged a revival to get within five goals.

However as often happens in fightbacks closing the gap drew too much out of them and the Magpies powered away with 12 more goals.

Willaston could only manage three in the last quarter as they continually ran into the brickwall which was the Magpie’s defence and tackling.

Two factors put the visitors behind the eight-ball right from the start, firstly their inaccurate kicking was not what was wanted and also key Magpie forward Alex Kennedy booting all five goals for his team in the opening quarter.

Kennedy went on to kick 13 for the game to be easily the most dominant player afield.

Ruckman Luke Wells is taking all before him and when you continually give a quality midfield first use of the ball the opposition are always in trouble. Ryan Bignell, Ben Newberry, Tom Schiller, Craig Underwood and Ryan Bartsch, who performed a key defensive role were also quality performers for the winners.

Willaston captain and current Schluter medallist Shaun Baker ran himself into the ground while big man Lee Coghill notched four goals from centre half forward. Others to show up were Michael McLean, Josh Carter and Jimmy Harvey while new player Chris Rosewall served it up with two goals.

Results - Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association

Played May 3.

A Grade

South Gawler 3.4 10.6 14.6 20.7(127)

Nuriootpa 4.1 6.3 9.7 11.11(77)

Best: South – A Geradis, C Fowler, L McCracken, Aaron Bevis, J McVicar, R Lee; Nuri – J Rodda, B Thiele, B Nicholls, S Gibson, G Falkenberg, A Fiegert.

Goals: South – A Geradis 8, A Bayliss 2, Aaron Bevis 2, A Johnson 2, J McVicar, A Carapetis, L Makris, L Officer, A Costa, C Fowler 1 ea; Nuri – G Falkenberg 3, B Nicholls 2, R Foulis 2, A Kaesler, A Fiegert, J Rodda, R Skipworth 1 ea.

Kapunda 3.3 9.8 12.14 16.17(113)

Freeling 1.5 4.8 6.9 8.12(70)

Best: Kap – B Taylor, M McCarthy, B Valentine, B Cox, M Cussadia, D Keane; Free – A Pearce, M Haseldine, D Leske, T Haseldine, T Muster, N Warnest.

Goals: Kap – B Cox 3, A Turrell 3, M Cussadia 2, M Kerr 2, L Bagshaw 2, S Ryan, B Taylor, M Prior, M Mickan 1 ea; Free – P Fowden 3, T Muster 2, S Leal, B Muster, B Lamond 1 ea.

Gawler Central 6.4 10.7 15.9 17.11(113)

Angaston 1.2 4.4 7.7 14.13(97)

Best: Cent – K Heberle, B Taylor, L Howard, D Hillebrand, R Clasohm, C Thomas; Ang – B Kurtz, B Woodards, M Doecke, A Clarke, C Harvey, K Reimann.

Goals: Cent – S Hahn 4, B Niklaus 4, C Hill 2, B Taylor 2, C Thomas 2, K Heberle, A King, J Scott 1 ea; Ang - M Doecke 2, K Reimann 2, B Bascombe 2, N Reimann 2, J Roesler, K McLean, G Bain, C Harvey, T Read, D Geyer 1 ea.

Tanunda 5.3 12.5 17.7 25.10(160)

Willaston 1.6 4.6 10.10 13.12(90)

Best: Tan – A Kennedy, R Bignell, B Newberry, T Schiller, L Wells, C Underwood; Will – S Baker, L Coghill, J Harvey, J Carter, M McLean, C Rosewell.

Goals: Tan - A Kennedy 13, S Rogasch 3, B Britton 3, B Wall 2, M Underwood 2, T Schiller 1, K Martin 1; Will – L Coghill 4, C Rosewell 2, J Carter 2, N Trigg 2, L Baker 2, M McLean 1.

Reserves

Nuriootpa 2.2 4.5 7.5 9.6(59)

South Gawler 2.1 5.1 5.4 7.6(48)

Best: Nuri – R Gerlach, B Rohrlach, C Ware, B Lydeamore, D Romeo, B Carter; South – S Bunn, M Dimmuccio, J Waters, J Kenny, M Smethurst.

Goals: Nuri – B Rohrlach 3, T Gerlach, C Ware, L Cook, D Romeo, S Wigan, L Angel 1 ea; South – K Houston 2, D Kaye 2, S Bunn 2, M Wight 1.

Kapunda 4.1 9.2 11.5 13.12(90)

Freeling 4.2 5.6 6.8 7.8(50)

Best: Kap – D Burgess, M Holding, M Johnson, B McKinnon, K Chappell, R Creber; Free – A Warnest, D Thatcher, P Kerin, T Clancy, G Shaw, P Leske.

Goals: Kap – D Burgess 4, R Creber 4, D Leslie 2, M Meyers, R Zivic, M Holding 1 ea; Free – P Kerin 3, P Leske 2, S Carmichael 1, N Cocks 1.

Gawler Central 6.3 9.7 13.9 18.10(118)

Angaston 2.1 5.1 5.5 10.5(65)

Best: Cent – S Haggerstrom, C Wilson, M Aggan, T Foreman, J Speck, A Frackowski; Ang – C Hadden, E Hadden, P Nagel, T Linke, J Carter, J Schultz.

Goals: Cent – J Speck 5, A Frackowski 3, T Foreman 3, N Crothers 2, C Elson 2, K Heintz, G Cooke, A Fox 1 ea; Ang – P Nagel 3, A Murphy 2, J Plush, S Linke, A Earl, A Fulton, J Schultz 1 ea.

Tanunda 4.2 9.3 12.8 17.10(112)

Willaston 0.0 2.1 4.2 5.2(32)

Best: Tan – J Ward, J Ellis, B Pech, A Ey, S Pech, J West; Will – J McGuire, B Nottle, A Higgs, R Smith, D Hendry, J Bryant.

Goals: Tan – A Ey 6, K Falkenberg 3, S Pech 2, B Smart 2, I Kalleske, D Goern, L Underwood, D Bergen 1 ea; Will – M Cotton 2, R Smith, J Farrow, M Deduonni 1 ea.

Senior Colts

South Gawler 1.6 4.7 4.8 7.17(59)

Nuriootpa 1.3 1.7 5.7 5.12(42)

Best: South – S Thomas, R Vermeeren, R Barker, J Vermeeren, T Hopgood, R Allen; Nuri – M Patrilli, J Carter, A Modistach, C McGorman, S Hausler, D Mowbray.

Goals: South – R Barker 2, S Gosden 2, R Allen, D Delaney, T Hopgood 1 ea; Nuri – M Kurtz 2, M Milne, M Patrilli, R Modistach 1 ea.

Freeling 1.2 7.7 11.12 15.14(104)

Kapunda 3.3 4.6 5.10 10.12(72)

Best: Free – T Barnes, A McCard, M Doherty, A Martin, A Schmidt, R Seilmann; Kap – M Ruppelt, N Close, C Richter, C Richmond, S Clancy, J Cobbledick.

Goals: Free – T Barnes 3, A Schmidt 2, D Drummond 2, T Ruediger 2, M Doherty 2, R McDonald, A Martin, A Cocks, M Humble 1 ea; Kap – S Clancy 3, C Richter 2, T McLennon, D Ryan, M Ruppelt, A May, M Hoffman 1 ea.

Angaston 4.1 8.3 10.4 13.6(84)

Gawler Central 2.2 4.3 6.6 10.8(68)

Best: Ang – J Schultz, C Davey, J Ryan, S Rathjen, N Falland, T Adler; Cent – C Molyneux, A Crothers, R Wenham, L Stockdale, R Liveley, D Mills.

Goals: Ang – T Chinner 3, J Ryan 2, S Rathjen, M Talbot, D Jones, T Adler, B McHendrie, C Davey, B Egert, A Adams 1 ea; Cent – A Cullen 3, C Bilney 3, B Smith 2, L Connole 1, D Mills 1.

Tanunda 2.3 2.3 4.5 7.6(48)

Willaston 1.2 3.3 4.5 6.6(42)

Best: Tan – J Schultz, L Agars, R Ferrett, J Zimmermann, S Dalby, M Grocke; Will – D Jones, A Parslow, M Gersch, H McLean, S Haydon, A Cahill.

Goals: Tan – L Agars 3, J Frentsch 2, D Abinett 1, J Zimmermann 1; Will – B Trigg 2, S Haydon 2, A Barclay 1, D Jones 1.

JUNIOR Colts

South Gawler 2.2 2.2 6.3 8.5(53)

Nuriootpa 1.1 5.4 5.7 7.7(49)

Best: South – M Demeo, N Bartsch, B Whitelaw, C Felstead, A Adams, M Manno; Nuri – D O’Neil, J Jaensch, D Burgess, M Button, J Dahms, T Schiller.

Goals: South – A Hansen 2, C Felstead 2, M Demeo, B Barker, A Adams, J Chapman 1 ea; Nuri – A Lange 2, S Lee 2, T Schiller 2, J Jaensch 1.

Freeling 2.1 5.4 5.6 9.10(64)

Kapunda 1.2 2.2 3.3 3.3(21)

Best: Free – J Ashenden, C Hirst, T Byrne, C Jericho, M Graham, J Robinson; Kap – S Zelenko, T McKinnon, P Keynes, D Prior, T Matthews-Brown, K Johnson.

Goals: Free – J Robinson 3, H Irvine 2, J Hancock 2, M Graham, J Ashenden, C Hirst 1 ea; Kap – T McKinnon, F Higgins, R Jennings 1 ea.

Angaston 2.5 3.6 6.9 8.9(57)

Gawler Central 0.1 2.3 4.6 5.10(40)

Best: Ang – S Rusca, J Koch, T Ryan, J Miles, C Ransom, R Barratt; Cent – B Hunt, T Clark, A Davidson, M James, C Edmead, M Good.

Goals: Ang – S Rusca 5, R Walker, J Miles, J Orchard-Rosler 1 ea; Cent – M Pike 2, C Edmead 2, J Oxenham 1, B Simpson 1.

Willaston 2.3 4.4 6.6 10.7(67)

Tanunda 1.2 1.6 3.7 4.8(32)

Best: Will – D Jones, S Winterbottom, B Clinton, L Trenowden, B Chenowith, J Boswell; Tan – L Neldner, J Marschall, L Kemp, J Mitchell, J Schulz, L Gann.

Goals: Will – J Waldhuter 3, S Winterbottom 2, C Stoll, A Gersch, L Trenowden, J Boswell, B Chenowith 1 ea; Tan – D Marschall 2, L Neldner 1, P Neldner 1.