COLAC Tigers executed a tricky raid to defeat North Shore, before quickly turning their focus to upstaging ladder-leader South Barwon.
The Tigers will host the Swans at Central Reserve this weekend on the back of a promising 12.9 (81) to 7.6 (48) win against the Seagulls at Windsor Park.
Coach Matt Gibson was happy to emerge with the points from a match his men controlled but never broke open, with a cross-wind affecting both sides.
Gibson, more importantly, took enough positives from the contest to suggest the Tigers could be competitive against the Geelong Football League powerhouse.
The second-year coach was most pleased with his ruckmen, and his midfielders’ ability to fight out a win in trying conditions.
Andrew Kelly, back from suspension, was best on ground while Dan Jeffreys and Liam McGuane also excelled.
“Lochie Veale and Matty Garner were really good in the ruck for us, they provided a lot of opportunities for our onballers,” Gibson said.
“And having Kelly back in there and Jeffreys, those two were really important to setting the tone.
“The likes of Liam McGuane was really polished in those conditions, his skills came to the fore, there were some really good signs there.
“Down back it was good to restrict the flow a bit, the scoring shots. All over the ground it was an even performance.”
Colac kicked three goals in each of the four quarters and led by 33 points at three-quarter time before running out victor by the same margin.
Dan Casey kicked three goals and Russell Whiteford and Jake Carmody booted two each, but Gibson was more pleased with the way they contested.
Jay Baulch relished his time up forward and kicked two goals roving off contests.
“I thought the opportunities we created down there were really good, especially the goals we got out of our smaller forwards,” Gibson said.
Callum Hobbs kicked four goals to be the Seagulls’ best along with Will Slade and Nathan Peoples.
Elsewhere in the GFL, Leopold made another statement about its finals credentials, overrunning St Marys to win by eight points at Kardinia Park West.
Bell Park did what it had to against Lara, and Newtown and Chilwell finally got on the board against St Albans.
Geelong West-St Peters defeated Grovedale yesterday afternoon, while South Barwon took the spoils against St Josephs on Anzac Day.
Click here for detailed results.
Tags: Football
