In a season-defining game for both clubs the South Gawler Lions’ easy win committed Freeling to the bottom of the BL&G ladder and kept their own hopes alive for 2008.

The Redlegs have been at the top of the pile for the past three seasons without winning the main event and would need to win all of their remaining games to make the finals.

South, on the other hand, haven’t tasted finals since 2002, their only appearance in the past 10 years.

Freeling hoped to reintroduce Russell Clark into their lineup but clearance negotiations meant he didn’t take the field, however Brenton Lamond and coach Scott Leal returned. For South, midfielder David Coombs did not play.

The Lions had a great start with a six-goal first quarter as Aaron Bevis dominated the centre and Nathan Kennedy controlled the rucks while Redleg representative players Darren Leske and Michael Haseldine were their team’s best.

Freeling outscored South in the second however the Lions had the major share of the play but were cursed by inaccuracy.

This became a real disease in the third quarter but not before Freeling sparked some hope by kicking the first two goals to come within one point.

From that point the Lions exploded and while the Redlegs never troubled the scorer, the Lions had 14 unanswered scoring shots. Luckily for Freeling 10 of them were points and kept the margin to six goals at the last break.

Freeling coach Scott Leal implored his players to make up the margin but despite kicking the first goal through Paris Fowden, South ran out easy winners by 49 points.

Centreman Aaron Bevis was at his best. Largely unchecked, he consistently took the ball away from the centre.Nathan Kennedy gave Aaron Bevis much of that ball and their ‘set plays’ were very effective. Ben Kerr and Andrew Bevis were targets up forward and took some good grabs. Captain Ron Lee had the job of running with Scott Leal and kept him from impacting on the game. Shaun Woodlands was the best of the defenders and mention must be made of Dylan Spicer.

Freeling’s best were captain courageous Darren Leske and defender Michael Haseldine. Travis Muster was good and veteran Paris Fowden chipped in with five goals. Others to be noticed were Dale Thatcher, Jacob Wright, Brendan Lamond and John Lienert.

Nuri’s last kick victory

Nuriootpa teenager Arlen Kaesler lived every footballer’s dream when he won a game off his own boot with the last kick of the day.

To make it even more satisfying the victory was against the odds as his team were yet to open their account for the year and were playing a top four opponent.

With under a minute of real time remaining, Kaesler intercepted a Donnybrook square pass as the home team were playing possession football to defend their one-point lead with minimal time remaining and goaled for Nuriootpa to take the lead. There was just enough time left for the ball to go back to the centre before the final siren sounded and a jubilant Tiger fraternity celebrated.

Many pundits thought that Nuriootpa’s controlled possession style of play would be well suited to the wide Willaston oval.

None but the most fanatical Tiger supporter however would have given them any hope of sustaining the pressure for four quarters. That they did belies their previous results this season, although one indicator to this eventual success has been their ability to stick to their game plan no matter the situation.

Willaston are the ‘kings of the turnover’ and rely on their speed and body pressure to cause mishandling and poor judgment. But Nuri’s adept handling skills denied them enough ball to win the game.

Willaston enjoyed some early dominance to be four goals the better at the first change, but the Tigers hauled that back to a lineball game with a seven goal to three second quarter. Thereafter it was goal for goal with the lead changing often until its fitting climax.

Tiger skipper and onballer Shawn Gibson led from the front as always and ruckman Matt Cragg-Sapsford exposed possibly the Donnybrook’s weakest area with a dominating display in ruck.

Key forward Justin Trewren slipped under the Willaston radar to kick six goals. Nuriootpa were down a couple of defenders due to injury which made Jarrod Tregenza’s role in keeping the dangerous Lee Coghill to just two goals very valuable. Midfielder Billy Nicholls’ hardness at the ball was a significant factor while veteran onballer Chris Gerhardy’s ability to find team mates from ‘hard ball gets’ continues to catch opponents on the back foot.

Willaston were without key import Shaun Childs in defence and although listed Chad Norsworthy did not play however, not listed, Chris McLean did play, and once again the rampaging long kicking midfielder showed his class with three goals from his deadly left boot.

Cousin Michael chipped in with three goals and Les Baker kicked five majors. Daniel Brooks was steady in defence, journeyman Roger Heenan, Jarryd Cole and Nathan Trevena were noticeable.

Tanunda topple title holder

Tanunda confirmed its premiership favouritism with a solid 41-point win over last year’s title holder Barossa District on home soil.

It took Tanunda to just before the half time break to take the lead with a goal to Barry Kaesler and despite dominating the third quarter, were only 10 points up at the final break.

Five last term goals to one in junk time by Barossa sealed the victory and keeps Tanunda on course for an unbeaten season.

“Barossa were good in the first quarter and I thought we did well to hang in early,” Tanunda coach Steve Lubcke said. “A few of our guys got lost in traffic.

“We had the initiative after half time, but didn’t convert that to the scoreboard in the third quarter. Our back six were great after quarter time and Rohan Baird’s role on Heath Commane was critical.

“I also believe our discipline was strong. This is an area where there was a perception we had a weakness.”

Brothers-in-arms, the Underwood boys, Craig in the centre and Matthew off half back were important as was the fleet-footed Ben Newberry and 2002 premiership player, Ryan Bignell.

Ben Britton was a strong and mobile target at centre half forward and Malcolm Greenwood gave a real presence, along with getting plenty of attention in the middle. Luke Wells, after his first representative game the previous week dominated the ruck contests.

Beaten on the day by Ross Christie, Alex Kennedy still had 10 shots on goal, kicking three goals six behinds and an out of bounds on the full. Boh Wall, who looks to be carrying a hamstring strain, was a clinical finisher when it counted, kicking two of his three goals in the last quarter.

Sam Agars and veteran Jon Keiboom also did well.

The best of the Bulldogs certainly came out of the defensive half. Jack Martin and Darren Sharp gave plenty of rebound, while in-and-under midfielder Michael Taylor and Jarrod Amber, who shut Tom Schiller out of the contest, worked tirelessly all game.

While Daniel Thomas kicked four goals, three of them in the opening stanza, Barossa District received modest production from the forwards after the first break.

The Magpie machine takes on Nuriootpa in a second successive match on home soil in the annual George Heath cup match this Saturday. Barossa can bring the curtains down on Freeling’s finals hopes this year with a win at Williamstown.

Central boost finals hopes

Gawler Central’s finals aspirations skyrocketed and their opponents plummeted with a team-lifting nine-point win over Kapunda at Dutton Park last Saturday.

In a great match which ebbed and flowed all game, five straight goals in the opening term gave Kapunda a slender lead, and then the Tigers controlled the second term, being 32 points up at the main break.

With tremendous courage and willpower, the Bombers dragged themselves back into the contest, being seven points down with one quarter to play.

In a dour struggle in the final term, a single goal from outside the 50-metre arc by milestone man Brad Taylor helped Mark Brant’s charges to their fifth win of the winter.

“We were up by 36 points early in the third quarter, but to Kapunda’s credit they kept coming at us,” Mark Brant, the Gawler central coach said.

“The last quarter was a slog and they made us really earn the two points. I did think our work rate dropped off at times during t he second half.”

Playing a ruck roving role Kirk Heberle was the Tiger’s best player in an even team effort, while defenders Graham Cooke and young Damien Hillebrand were both prominent.

Casey Thomas exerted a presence either in ruck or at centre half forward and Jamie Scott was an elusive small forward with three goals (and four behinds).

Although not one of his stellar games, the Tigers’ Brad Taylor in his 100th A grade game kept working tirelessly and again a single piece of hard-working brilliance in the final quarter ensured the win.

Last year’s BL&G leading goal kicker Scott Hahn, despite not getting any favours from the men in white, finished with a match high four goals to now have 31 for the season.

Jake Asher is now regarded as one of the best taggers in the competition, shutting Mark Cussadia out of the game.

Undersized Kapunda ruckman Adam Turrell was superb in a best-on-ground performance, dominating both at the stoppages and in general ground play.

Former captain Sam Ryan was penetrating with his long and powerful left foot, while the creative and skilful Brodie Cox continues his consistent season.

David Leslie kicked three goals and was an important contributor and while he doesn’t look like the athletic footballer of the modern age, the older Turrell sibling, Andrew, was again effective.

Loval Scoreboard

Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association

Played May 31.

A Grade

South Gawler 6.5 7.9 11.19 16.20(116)

Freeling 3.1 6.2 8.2 10.7(67)

Best: South – Aaron Bevis, S Woodlands, R Lee, Andrew Bevis, B Kerr, N Kennedy; Free – T Muster, P Fowden, B Lamond, J Wright, D Leske, D Thatcher.

Goals: South – D Spicer 2, B Kerr 2, Andrew Bevis 2, A Geradis 2, M Lutze 2, Aaron Bevis, A Carapetis, L McCracken, A Johnson, S Evans, N Kennedy 1 ea; Free – P Fowden 5, S Leal, S Farley, D Leske, L Copley, J Newberry 1 ea.

Tanunda 2.4 6.7 8.11 13.19(97)

Barossa 4.2 6.3 7.7 8.7(55)

Best: Tan – B Newberry, L Wells, M Greenwood, J Neindorf, M Underwood, C Underwood; Bar – D Sharp, J Martin, R Christie, P Stelzer, M Taylor, J Amber.

Goals: Tan – A Kennedy 3, B Wall 3, B Kaesler 2, B Newberry, M Underwood, B Britton, L Wells, R Baird 1 ea; Bar – D Thomas 4, B James, P Stelzer, M Laurie, A Spencer 1 ea.

Nuriootpa 3.3 10.5 14.9 18.10(118)

Willaston 7.3 10.4 13.9 17.11(113)

Best: Nuri – S Gibson, M Cragg-Sapsford, J Trewren, C Gerhardy, J Tregenza, B Nicholls; Will – C McLean, D Brook, M McLean, R Cole, R Heenan, N Trevena.

Goals: Nuri – J Trewren 6, C Edwards 2, S Gibson 2, R Foulis 2, D Vickery 2, A Kaesler, G Falkenberg, J Rodda, R Skipworth 1 ea; Will – L Baker 5, C McLean 3, M McLean 3, J Cole 2, T Krieg 2, L Coghill 2.

Gawler Central 4.3 10.8 13.11 14.12(96)

Kapunda 5.0 6.2 13.4 13.9(87)

Best: Kap – Adam Turrell, S Ryan, B Cox, Andrew Turrell, D Leslie, M Mickan; Cent – K Heberle, D Hillebrand, G Cooke, J Scott, C Thomas, B Taylor.

Goals: Kap – D Leslie 3, D Burgess 3, Andrew Turrell 2, S Ryan, B Taylor, N Brady, M Kerr, M Mickan 1 ea; Cent – S Hahn 4, J Scott 3, B Taylor 2, C Thomas 2, B Niklaus 2, C Hill 1.

Reserves

South Gawler 5.2 11.3 11.8 16.11(107)

Freeling 2.2 2.3 4.5 4.5(29)

Best: South – M Bevis, S O’Donoghue, S Earwood, B Schmidtke, J Kenny, K Houston; Free – T Clancy, W Holloway, S Hanish, A Selleck, A Meredith, A McCluskey.

Goals: South – S O’Donoghue 5, D Butler 3, J Costa 2, T Clift, M Smethurst, T Gordon, J Dare, S Montgomerie, S Hargreaves 1 ea; Free – P Kerin 2, K Smith 1, D Shaw 1.

Tanunda 2.2 5.6 12.9 16.15(111)

Barossa 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.2(8)

Best: Tan – S Pech, J Oliver, J Ward, T Stewart, L Underwood, D Goern; Bar – S Harris, T Wigzell, C McAlpine, D Goodfellow, S Vanstone, D Handke.

Goals: Tan – L Underwood 7, K Falkenberg 3, R Smart 3, B Richardson, L Skeer, J West 1 ea; Bar – D Thompson 1.

Willaston 5.2 10.5 16.6 20.8(128)

Nuriootpa 3.1 4.3 5.4 5.7(37)

Best: Will – M Bornholdt, J Farrow, K Townsend, D Jones, M Chomick, M Deduonni; Nuri – R Gerlach, B Carter, L Sich, C Burgess, S Butler, C Ware.

Goals: Will – M Bornholdt 5, M Cotton 5, D Jones 4, J Farrow 2, B Silvy 2, S White 2; Nuri – C Burgess 2, C Ware, L Sich, R Newcombe 1 ea.

Gawler Central 3.2 5.4 6.5 8.5(53)

Kapunda 1.2 1.5 4.13 5.15(45)

Best: Cent – M Davis, J Chester, D Reardon, P Bova, S Dawe, A Frackowisk; Kap – M Holding, K Ryan, R Zivic, N Gregor, M Johnson, M Ryan.

Goals: Cent – A Frackowisk 2, J Speck 2, D Reardon 2, P Bova 1, C Elson 1; Kap – C Richter, M Ryan, R Zivic, M Johnson, N Tilley 1 ea.

Senior Colts

Freeling 3.2 7.4 11.4 13.5(83)

South Gawler 4.2 6.4 8.6 10.10(70)

Best: Free – D Drummond, L Shanahan, N Anders, W Ahrens, M Humble, J Zanandie; South – D Clift, S Thomas, D Costa, J Callander, S Foster, S Lay.

Goals: Free – A Schmidt 3, M Doherty 2, R McDonald 2, B Williams 2, A Cocks, A Martin, N Anders, T Barns 1 ea; South – D Clift 2, S Gosden 2, R Vermeeren 2, R Barker, S Foster, S Lay, P Marschall 1 ea.

Tanunda 3.3 7.6 9.8 12.10(82)

Barossa 1.4 1.7 3.8 5.10(40)

Best: Tan – J Zimmermann, S Dalby, B Schiller, D Schulz, C Gattermayr, J Schultz; Bar – A McAlpine, N Emes, S Roberts, J Hanley, J Platten, L Smith.

Goals: Tan – D Schulz 4, B Schiller 3, L Agars 2, C Gattermayr 2, J Frentsch 1; Bar – S Roberts 2, L Smith, R Vanstone, M Van Dommele 1 ea.

Nuriootpa 3.5 6.9 9.14 14.18(102)

Willaston 0.1 0.3 2.5 3.6(22)

Best: Nuri – C McConnachy, S Hausler, R Modistach, M Milne, D Mowbray, J Schiller; Will – C White, A Barclay, C Miller, M Gersch, D Thomas, J Farrow.

Goals: Nuri – M Kurtz 3, J Scholz 3, D Mowbray 2, J Schiller 2, M Milne, S Carter, D Cameron, S Hausler 1 ea; Will – B Trigg 2, H McLean 1.

Gawler Central 6.2 12.6 14.8 21.11(137)

Kapunda 0.0 0.0 2.1 3.1(19)

Best: Cent – D Mills, A Crothers, C Molyneux, M Ness, B Smith, R Wenham; Kap – C Richter, M Ruppelt, B Crombie, J Cobbledick, L Norman, S Turner.

Goals: Cent – C Bilney 5, A Crothers 4, R Oxenham 3, A Cullen 2, B Smith 2, M Ness 2, D Mills 2, C Pinch 1; Kap – L Norman 2, A May 1.

JUNIOR Colts

South Gawler 5.2 7.7 11.11 17.12(114)

Freeling 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1(1)

Best: South – C Felstead, M Gajewski, D Schwerdt, J Chapman, M Manno, A Adams; Free – J Hurst, M Graham, K Wright, C Hirst, J Ruediger.

Goals: South – C Felstead 3, D Powell 3, A Adams 2, J Chapman 2, M Gajewski 2, F Errigo, M Manno, D Marschall, S O’Reilly, D Schwerdt 1 ea.

Barossa 3.2 5.3 8.4 12.5(77)

Tanunda 0.0 1.0 2.2 2.4(16)

Best: Bar – A Thwaites, L Plowman, J Madgen, E Carpenter, B Cummings; Tan – L Kemp, J Marshall, D Marshall, N Reichelt, J Mitchell, P Neldner.

Goals: Bar – A Thwaites 4, H Traynor 4, E Carpenter, T Carr, G O’Driscoll, B Traynor 1 ea; Tan – J Mitchell 1, S Mickan 1.

Nuriootpa 4.2 6.5 9.8 15.9(99)

Willaston 0.1 0.3 1.4 2.7(19)

Best: Nuri – J Jaensch, D O’Neil, B Hollitt, M Button, T Schiller, L Jaunay; Will – C Stoll, L Trenowden, B Clinton, T Maple, J Waldhuter, T Dmarchi.

Goals: Nuri – S Lee 4, L Jaunay 3, D Burgess 2, C Shaw 2, J Jaensch, T Schiller, C Schneider, N Galler 1 ea; Will – J Smoult 1, B Clinton 1.

Gawler Central 2.4 4.7 6.12 9.13(67)

Kapunda 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.3(9)

Best: Cent – T Clark, T Hutton, T Princiotto, B Simpson, S Evans, M Pike; Kap – T McKinnon, A Wilson, K Johnson, S Pratt, T Matthews-Brown, L Clancy, P Keynes.

Goals: Cent – T Clark 4, T Hutton 2, T Princiotto, J Mercer, M Pike 1 ea; Kap – C Caven 1.