Rick Drewer

THE Nuriootpa Tigers hosted the Kapunda Bombers at Centennial Park, desperate to open its winning account after two losses to start the 2020 campaign.
With a win being absolutely vital in giving itself a chance of qualifying for the top three in this unique and shortened season, the incentive seemed to be all-powerful, as within 10 minutes the Tigers had four goals on the board. James Bentley marked strongly in the goal square and converted inside the first two minutes, followed by majors from Jack Henke, Tim Dimasi and Brad Bryksy.
Despite the dominance of the Bombers’ Aaron Whistler, who completely controlled the ruck contests throughout the game, it was late in the term before Josh Dodd, on the run, converted to give Kapunda its first goal. It was quickly followed by another from Justin Zanandrea to trim the Tigers’ lead to only 14 points at quarter time.
Just as Nuri had controlled the first quarter, without reaping just reward, it was the Bombers’ turn in the second to replicate some wasteful football. Whistler, Dodd, Zanandrea, Conor White and Joel Worsfold dominated for Kapunda, however, the return of 3.3 for the term inadequately reflected their influence. At the long break, instead of trailing by one point, the Bombers should have been a couple goals ahead.
Immediately after half-time, Dodd goaled to give Kapunda the lead. Alas, it was the only Bomber major for the term, while the Tigers added late goals from Trent Heffernan, Terrence Wilfred and Scott Bentley to take a handy 13-point margin at the final change. The Bombers had well and truly controlled the quarter, and yet lost it by 12 points.
Given the tight and even contest, Scott Bentley's collection of the bouncing ball and run into the open goal for Nuri early in the final stanza seemed to be the vital break. However, Sam Pratt's strong mark and goal in reply, moments later, kept the Bombers in touch.
It was a complete arm-wrestle for the next 15 minutes, providing many stoppages and un-attractive football, before Mitch Norton's great around-the-body snap goal for Nuri broke through.
The game was iced when the Tigers’ Dimasi found the running Jackson Baldwin, who goaled, followed by two quick ones from Bobby Raikiwasa to put the game to bed for a final score of 13.10 (88) to 9.11 (65).
This was not ‘champaign footy’ by any stretch of the imagination, and while the Bombers look to have clearly improved – and are seemingly a power forward away from some success – there are danger signs for Nuriootpa who, despite the win, appear a shell of its 2019 side.