AARON DEGREEF

BAROSSA District produced its best performance of the Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade season, so far, on Saturday with a 42-point win over reigning premier Nuriootpa.

From the beginning, the ferocity of the midfield for both sides was top notch, with each player sticking like glue to their opponent.

However, the deadlock was broken by Barossa forward Darren Sharp, who slotted the first goal of the game after a nice passage of play.

Leigh Ryswyk then followed with a couple of goals to continue the flow for the Dogs, however Nuri’s Brad Hoepner got one back before quarter-time.

Despite trailing by 21 points at the first change, the Tigers regained their composure and began dominating the play with multiple forward entries and a trio of goals from Jackson Baldwin and  Lachlan Westlake.

Although Barossa maintained its lead, most of its shots went wayward for minor scores.

After the half-time break, with the Dogs up by 10 points, the Tigers entered the third stanza looking faster and stronger than they did before.

Back-to-back goals from Jack Scholz and Mitchell Norton then put them in front for the first time.

However, this attack sparked the Dogs into action, with the whole team lifting.

After plenty of attacking play, Barossa’s Ryan Watson kicked three-straight goals, with one from a tight angle.

Player-coach Todd Miles then followed up with another two majors to give his team the ascendency.

Despite some fightback from the Tigers, the Dogs continued to wreak havoc with Jack Schuurmans and Ryswyk tumbling through one goal each.

The Bulldogs led by eight goals at three-quarter-time, and it was all but game over.

The Tigers did gather some confidence from an impressive play down the corridor, gaining a 25-metre penalty and feeding Zach Dahms, who converted.

Barossa hit back quickly after wrestling the ball into its forward-half, giving forward pocket Ethan Gant the chance to slot two goals from set shots.

Sharp put the icing on the cake for the Dogs by taking a screamer, and dishing off the goal to Ryswyk.

After the game, Miles commended his team’s efforts.

“There was a good spread of work across the entire team,” he said.

“The defenders played a crucial role along with Darren Sharp up forward and Ryswyk through the midfield.

“Moving forward, consistency is what we need to work on.”

Barossa will play away against Willaston this Saturday, while Nuri hosts Gawler Central.