Crowley injured as Tigers find form

South Bunbury’s key players put on fantastic performances to lead the Tigers to an upset 44-point win over the Collie Eagles at the Collie Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Matt Giacci was outstanding down back, while young forward Kade Wallrodt booted four goals to help the Tigers to a 15.8 (98) to 7.12 (54) victory.

Compounding the loss, the Eagles’ injury list grew, with no one left on the bench by the time the siren sounded.

Key recruit Ryan Crowley suffered a suspected broken collar bone after a big bump from Tiger Josh Ryder in the second term, while Blake Shanahan finished the game early due to a hip complaint.

Meanwhile, the Tigers were playing well as a team and spreading the ball out of the congestion to put plenty of pressure on the Eagles’ backline.

South Bunbury jumped out of the blocks with two early goals, while the Eagles, who had just as much of the play, sprayed their shots on goal and wasted the ball.

Liam McKenna provided a strong target up forward for the Tigers all day, while Tom Harper was giving his midfielders first use thanks to his classy ruckwork.

South Bunbury began to get on top in the second term as Leigh Kohlmann (four goals) worked over his direct opponent, Teale DeAngelis, and kicked two goals.

But for all their efforts, the Eagles were still in the game at half-time with South Bunbury up by just 17 points.

After the main break though the Tigers got on top at the clearances and began to give the likes of Kohlmann, Guy Piggott and Wallrodt plenty of opportunities to have an impact on the scoreboard.

Ryder and Giacci were repelling most of the Eagles’ forward advances, as Shanahan, ruckman Paul Rinder and recruit Aaron Elari worked hard to keep the Eagles in the game.

Again though missed shots on goal were costing the Eagles and their injuries began to mount.

By the final term the Eagles looked like they had run out of steam, while the Tigers began to open the game up more and clear away from the congestion easier than in the previous three quarters.

The Eagles never gave up and defended staunchly, but the damage had been done and South Bunbury had their second win of the year.

Scoreboard

South Bunbury 2.4 6.5 11.6 15.8 (98) def Collie Eagles 1.1 3.6 6.9 7.12 (54)

GOALS:

South Bunbury - L. Kohlmann, K. Wallrodt 4, S. Graham 2, L. McKenna, G. Piggott, S. Stein, B. Latch, C. Hutcheson. Collie Eagles - T. Vernon 2, B. Malatesta, B. Moloney, A. Elari, J. Ramshaw, J. Debenham.

BEST:

South Bunbury - K. Wallrodt, M. Giacci, L. McKenna, L. Kohlmann, S. Graham, J. Ryder. Collie Eagles -A. Elari, M. Michael, T. Vernon, T. Michael, P. Rinder, B. Shanahan.