Kangas knuckle down to shrug off Bulls

North Albany ground out a hard-fought win against a depleted Mt Barker side on Saturday night at Sounness Park.

After an arm-wrestle for two and a half quarters, Kangas’ class and grit overcame the Bulls 9.15 (69) to 6.6 (42).

Despite kicking with a strong breeze in the first quarter, Kangas were well held early as the Bulls kicked the first through John Lee and moved the ball well off half-back. As the quarter drew to a close, Kangas gained the ascendancy with two late goals to Graham Ross and Jake Becroft.

Bulls used the breeze early in the second quarter to pile on three goals in 15 minutes and looked damaging going forward while Kangas missed some opportunities and only managed five points for the quarter.

Bulls kicked the first goal after the main break but it was all Kangas after that as they showed why they’re undefeated so far this year. Slick ball movement created a host of deep entries that troubled the Bulls backline, and when Matt Orzel and Jake Becroft slammed home back-to-back goals from outside 50 it was Kangas’ game to lose.

Bulls had their fair share of the ball in the last quarter but couldn’t manage high-quality entries into their forward line as Kangas’ fitness and defensive structure held up against the breeze.

Kangas were served well by ruckman Stewart Davies and Elliot Smith down back, while Orzel and Matt Smith found plenty of the ball. Bulls skipper Sam Lehmann was everywhere and had good support from Nick Chidzey, Daniel Dalby and Joel Gray.

Bulls coach Shane Thompson was positive despite the loss but wasn’t happy with the way his team went forward.

“We’ll take a lot of positives out of the game, we were competitive again,” he said

“We didn’t really penetrate deep inside 50; they did look more dangerous going forward than we did, they got deeper entries,”

Kangas coach Craig Dew said his side adapted well to the Bulls offensive structure.

“I thought in the first half they got over the back of us a little bit, we had to tighten up on the way we defended them — I thought we did that pretty well,” he said.

Dew was also impressed with the way his team finished the game.

“I think our tackle pressure particularly in that last quarter when we were against the breeze was outstanding,” he said.