The return home to OB Park in perfect conditions was set for a tough day of Footy, with Willaston firing across all grades of late. We looked to celebrate Tom Schillers 150th, and playing life membership with a win.
After a couple of good weeks, the A grade had a reality check against Willaston on the weekend, although the final margin of 60 points was probably not totally indicative of the game. That being said, you cannot give up 10 goals in the first quarter and expect to be in the game. Despite the loss, there were a number of positives and hopefully we can learn from the first quarter. Sam Toole again stood up in the ruck and Parker Neldner played his tagging role to a tee. Ben Newberry was good again and seems to be getting better every week – a great sign for our ageing star. Mitchell Fox also showed plenty in his return to the A grade and looks to have benefited massively from his stint in the twos. Back on the track this week, and get ready for another tough task against the Nuri Tigers.
The Reserves knew that this was going to be a tough task, Willaston came here after 4 wins looking for a 5th, and our lads are chasing their first, with the last 2 being by a total of 6 points.
A gritty battle was waged for 4 solid quarters and with a point at half time both sides knew the game was there for the taking. In the depths of the final term and Gareth Davis slotted a smart goal deep in the pocket the ‘Pies thought they had the choccies only to see some slick work by the Donnybrooks tear the win away by the slimmest of margins. A hard 4 quarter effort and proving that the team is as good as the best in the comp. Best Dylan Wagner, Lachlan Kemp, Blake Lockett and David Goern.
Tanunda Senior Colts had another tough task in round 5 against a quality team of Willaston; Willaston’s ability to demolish teams on the score board has been proven over the past 4 weeks with some high scoring wins. Tanunda boys played an extremely competitive game of football, with hard tackling pressure and good Ball movement, although not being able to come away with a win the Tanunda boys should be happy with the effort and commitment they displayed. Special mentions to Jackson Clarke, Dakota Hunt and Angus May. Best Players Ricky Liddell, Eddy Laucke, Brayden Dalby, Sam Dunn and Jayden Hage.
A good test in the Under 15’s against top team Willaston. A fast paced started caused critical turnovers which resulted in goals for both team. Tanunda was hard at the ball and shared the ball around to all players. All played well and an overall good team effort kept us within striking distance. Hitting the post 4 times in the last half was costly. Definitely working on goal kicking and simple ball skills at training this week. Best: Jez McLennan, R Falkenberg, Craig Simpson
Tanuda U11’s white played their first home game against Willaston Red, great to be playing at home with perfect weather, all played well with awards going to Luca Whitelum, Bayley Pink, Alex Liebelt and Tyler Lee, Tanunda dominated the game from start to finish with a convincing win. Looking forward to local derby against Nuriootpa at their home ground this week!
Tanunda Black played Willaston Blue Under 11, Inspired by the Crows home win the young Magpies back in the warmth of their nest were determined to take ownership of OB Park by playing a full four quarters of gritty football. The tall timbers of the team Kieren Malone, Dylan Baumann & Mitchell Haynes were at times unstoppable by putting in the hard yards to pull the ball out of the packs frustrating a strong opponent and keeping the first quarter scores in the single digits.In a see sawing affair the spirited Pies had a tough second quarter with Willaston lifting to take the lead and our 16th man in full voice the home crowd witnessed young James Roehr, Josh Geyer & Hamish Martin who all seemed to have the ball on a string running freely and kicking several superb goals to level the scores. The final term was truly a team affair with Coach Steve (like T Hafey) Temnoff’s tough training regime paying off with Brock Wilksh, Mitchell Haynes, Kai Dunstan & Nicholas Travers stepping up to keep the ball moving setting Tanunda up for a big final quarter to secure a win.
The silky ball movement of Harry Lienert, Nick Holmes & Jacob Hooper combined with the gritty play of Patrick Brooks, James Rothe Harmon Vears has the competition sitting up taking notice.
When these young Magpies are at home they are playing a full four quarters of quality footy, time to take the intensity North to Nuri & show those tigers a trick or two.Best Players, Nicholas Travers, Kieren Malone, Dylan Baumann, Mitchell Haynes
Finally the Under 9 whites played their first home game and the boys were up for the contest. Great to see the lads share the ball around. Skills are getting better every week. Awards went to Bailey Kirk, Bow Habermann, Kalan Hoklas, Jett Assender and Angus Ninnis
Off to Nuriootpa and the traditional rivalry games, lets see if we can turn things around and come back south with a few wins this weekend coming! Presentations at the Tanunda Club at 6.30pm sharp.
Coming events: May 31st Players Review following normal teas at the Football Clubrooms