Grand final rematch to Kangas

A dominant 13-goal second half guided North Albany to a 60-point demolition of defending premiers Railways in the Great Southern Football League’s inaugural Anzac Day match at Collingwood Park.

The Kangas kicked the last seven goals of the game to extend a 24-point three quarter-time margin into a 15.13 (103) to 6.7 (43) thrashing, and remain at the top of the ladder undefeated.

In what was a game of two halves, the Tigers leapt out of the blocks and found themselves 17 points ahead by half-time, courtesy of centre half forward Zak Hortin and midfielders Nic Cramer and Zane Marwick.

Hortin had a goal in each of the two quarters and was the most influential player of the ground up until the main break.

However, in a move that paid dividends, Kangas utility Geoff Wynne, in his first game of the season, was swung to defence to try to quell Hortin, and defender Graham Ross was pushed forward.

Wynne did well to limit Hortin’s influence, with the spearhead adding just a behind in the second half, while Ross booted three goals in an unfamiliar role to help his side turn the game around.

Midfielder Grant Corcoran was outstanding for the Kangas, winning a plethora of possessions through the middle of the ground, while captain Brent Welshman and young duo Declan Mountford and Arana O’Byrne were also instrumental in the victory.

Ross was awarded the Curly Taylor Medal for best on ground in the Anzac Day match, his move forward stretching the Tigers’ defence which was missing Haydn Sproxton, Bodhi Stubber, Brayden Dean and Will Matson.

Kangas coach Mick Mustey was pleased with his side’s performance in the second half.

“Ball use is a key factor and their ball use in the first half was 50 per cent better than us,” Mustey said.

“In the second half, the boys lifted their tackling pressure, they got a bit of a roasting at half-time, and we put a lot of pressure on their midfielders after that.

“It’s a great win for us and a great concept.

“We had a pretty good side in today but we know it’s only early.”

Tigers coach Wayne Stubber conceded the Kangas had too many options up forward.

“It just shows our depth is lacking a little bit at the moment,” he said.

“Maybe our fitness is not quite where it should be; I was happy with the first half but we just ran out of legs in the second half.

“We played too loose and weren’t accountable enough after half-time.

“North Albany are pretty fit and they have got a good side — obviously they are the team to beat.”

Tigers skipper Cramer was his side’s best contributor, while Scott Powell and Scott Hillman also battled on manfully.

A healthy crowd turned out to watch the highly anticipated grand final rematch, with the Last Post being played in a mark of respect to fallen soldiers prior to the opening bounce, while both sides also wore black armbands for the special fixture.