WITH round one of the 2020 BL&GW season finally in the books, Tanunda and Willaston have staked their claims as the league’s best after both winning largely uncompetitive matchups against sides who struggled without their Central District representatives.
Angaston travelled to Barossa District on Friday night to open the season and knock the rust off, with the sides nabbing a goal each in the first period. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it was the only goal it would score for the night, missing its other four shots, while Angaston scored the game’s only other major in the third period to decide the game 2.5 (17) to 1.4 (10).
On Sunday, Angaston backed up with its second game against Tanunda and were unable to produce a similar result, getting dominated in the first half, courtesy of Fiona Habermann (three goals), to head into the main break down 1.0 (6) to 4.8 (32). The Panthers did not register a score in the second half as the Magpies pressure, field position and ability to use the strong breeze to its advantage proved overwhelming.
Gawler Central were given no mercy by Willaston, failing to register a score for the game with the stiff breeze proving impossible for the inexperienced side to move the ball against.
With many Tigers playing their first ever football match, and some even playing their first ever sporting contest of any kind, coach Matt Knight said he was proud of his side’s determination to fight it out until the final siren, despite going down 0-82.
“It was a really exciting first hit out – we knew we were coming up against a very good and experienced side in Willaston,” he said.
“We would certainly like the ball to spend a lot more time inside our forward 50, and that’s something we will work on at training this week heading into the weekend.
“The big positive for me is how much enjoyment the girls got out of it even though they didn’t get the result they wanted – and the fact we had some friends and siblings watching who have now also signed up to give it a crack.
“Nothing better than seeing the girls give it a go.”
Central District players will return to their respective BL&GW sides following round three.