Football: Young Tigers maul Kangas

Youth has breathed life into the Railways Football Club as the Tigers recorded a convincing 16-point win over North Albany to spoil the party for them in round 1 of the Great Southern Football League.

On a day that marked Kangas’ veteran Brett Hall’s 243rd league game and breaking the club’s league games record, the Tigers led at every break to run out winners 10.11 (71) to 8.7 (55).

Callum Burgess was outstanding for the winners, booting four goals while Nic Cramer and Zane Marwick controlled the midfield.

At times the Kangas looked ripe to challenge the Tigers’ dominance but their opponents found avenues to goal when they needed to start the year with a win.

Vice-captain Nic Cramer kicked two early goals as the Tigers opened up an early advantage and, when debutant Josh Woods kicked truly, the signs look good heading into quarter time with an 11-point lead.

In the second term the Tigers again looked dangerous but failed to take advantage missing several shots.

Kangas’ recruit Andrew Hagnhofer kicked his second to close the gap but the difference was soon extended to 18 points when Marwick goaled inside 40m.

Kangas, who came out firing kicked two quick majors in the third before livewire Cody O’Brien snapped a goal, silencing the home crowd.

Luke Cameron marked uncontested directly in front and goaled as the Kangas kicked three goals to one in the term.

Despite the Kangas scoring the opening two goals of the last quarter, Burges kicked his fourth to steady the ship.

When Woods capped off his superb debut with a second goal the Tigers had done enough to run out winners.

Coach Kim Mayfield was pleased with the result and his side’s skill level in round 1.

“It was a pretty good game,” he said.

“But I was impressed with our skill use and how we set the tempo of the game.”

The Tigers’ pressure was noticeable and Kangas’ coach Brad Bootsma made no excuses for the loss.

“The kids of Railways were hungrier, (and) if you bring in youth that shows enthusiasm, they were first to the ball all day,” Bootsma said.

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