A NINE-goal haul from former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins has continued Sea Lake Nandaly’s bragging rights over Nullawil.
The Tigers claimed a 28-point win in Saturday’s North Central grand final rematch.
Full forward Jenkins proved unstoppable in a dominant performance, kicking eight of his side’s first 11 goals.
Sea Lake Nandaly’s fourth win of the season, 15.9 (99) to 10.11 (71), put them second on the ladder, following their 13-point loss to Birchip-Watchem a week prior.
Nullawil’s slow start has them in seventh with a 1-3 win loss record, two wins outside the top four in the club’s final season before next year’s merger with Wycheproof-Narraport.
Tigers co-coach Bryce Delmenico said the reigning premiers had a point to prove after their disappointing display against the Bulls.
“We basically said pre-game that we have an opportunity today, and we either take it or we don’t, to send a message to the rest of the league that we bounce back and our club won’t lay down,” Delmenico said.
“It was good to see the boys rise to the challenge and it was probably one of the best four-quarter performances we’ve played over the last few seasons to be honest.
“Credit to Nully, they came at us hard in the second quarter and then they came at us again at the start of the last, but it was really pleasing to see us wrestle the momentum back and get the game back on our terms.
“They started the last quarter well and had several chances, but probably didn’t make the most of them, and then we capitalised after that.
“We rolled JJ (Jenkins) up the ground and he played a bit higher and Billy (McInnes) went a bit deeper and that changed the look of our forward line and provided a different challenge.”
Opposed to former Fremantle and Williamstown defender Peter Faulks, Jenkins dominated the forward half in his first game since round 2.
“He (Jenkins) had a bit of a point to prove after last year’s grand final (when he kicked four goals),” Delmenico said.
“He marked everything that came his way and really turned the game our way – he could have kicked more but he gave a few off as well.”
Also among the Tigers’ better players was Luke Martin, who was given the task of quelling Nullawil forward Mitch Farmer, who moved into the midfield late in the game, while Lachy McClelland and Max Cahoon were also among the best.
Half-forward Matt Elliott impressed, playing predominately on the wing, giving the Tigers plenty of run and drive between the arcs.
Matthew Wade, Lucas Caccavielllo and David Isbister were among the Maroons’ better players, along with ruckman Dean Putt, who had an entertaining battle against Tigers big man Ryan O’Sullivan.
The closest match of the round was at Boort, where the home side managed to drag themselves back into the finals equation with a two-point win over Wycheproof-Narraport.
Trailing by 12 points at the final break, the Demons stormed home to retake the lead with four last-quarter goals, before James Keeble put the Magpies back in front in the shadows of the siren to record an 11.8 (74) to 10.12 (72) victory.
Keeble also produced a clear best-on-ground performance, with Jordan Bell, Tom Potter and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly also among the Magpies’ best in the club’s second win for the season.
The remaining matches both went according to script, with Donald recording a 34-point win over St Arnaud at Lord Nelson Park.
A five-goal performance from Royal Blues forward Trent Grant was the highlight, as Donald opening up a 25-point lead in the opening quarter before maintaining their advantage to register a 14.10 (94) to 7.8 (50) win.
Undefeated ladder leaders Birchip-Watchem inflicted a 115-point defeat on winless Charlton.
Ben Edwards kicked eight goals in the 23.19 (157) to 6.6 (42) win and continued his run at the top of the goalkicking leaderboard with 36, ahead of Jenkins on 17.
