Northern Districts took a step forward in rebuilding their season by beating Kiama Power by 10 points in Saturday’s catch up match in AFL South Coast Seniors at Hollymount Park.
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The Tigers ended a three game losing streak spread over five weeks with a hard-fought 13.12 (90) to 12.8 (80) victory.
Tigers coach Leigh Forsyth said while there was plenty of improvement needed from his side it was much-needed step in the right direction.
‘‘We kept it simple, stuck to the structures and came away with a good performance,’’ Forsyth said.
‘‘We were chasing them a bit early on in the first two quarters but third quarter we were able to dominate and the quarter was played in our forward 50.
‘‘We didn’t dominate on the scoreboard but our pressure was right up there and we gained some control.
‘‘Our skills have got to get better but it’s a win we needed and to score 90 points was good. I don’t think we’ve scored 90 points at home this season so to get some reward for our hard work was important.’’
The Power started the better, booting four goals to two for an 11 point lead at quarter-time. The Tigers shaded the visitors slightly in the second term to lead by a goal at halftime.
A powerful third term should have almost shut the door on any Power fightback but Norths booted 3.7 to two straight goals from Kiama to take an eight point lead into the final change.
Kiama finished strongly but the Tigers booted four straight goals to claim a vital 10 point win.
Norths skipper Dale Perrett was typically hard-working in midfield while ruckman Andrew Craig played well. Tigers’ new recruit Lachlan Fraser from Albury looked handy as a small forward in his first senior game.
Michael Williams and Josh Krull booted four goals each for Kiama and were a constant threat while the Power’s Jack Mahony showed why he among the competition’s best players.
Off the playing field last Saturday Northern Districts held a successful Gala Day with proceeds supporting the Go Foundation co-founded by Sydney Swans premiership star Michael O’Loughlin.
The Go Foundation aims to give indigenous children a quality education.
Norths victory over Kiama lifted them to outright third (10 points) behind unbeaten leaders Wollongong Lions (14 points) - who they face on Saturday - and premiers Wollongong Bulldogs (10 points).
The Lions and Bulldogs still have a catch-up match to be re-scheduled, after their opening round match was washed out.
In Saturday’s round 10 Bomaderry host Shellharbour, Norths host the Lions and Kiama are at home to Nowra. The Bulldogs have the bye.
Meanwhile, in Sydney AFL under 19s Division One, unbeaten Pennant Hills were too strong at home for South Coast Thunder winning 13.8 (96) to 3.5 (25). Christian Foster booted two goals for the Thunder.
South Coast AFL Seniors ladder: Wollongong Lions 14; Wollongong Bulldogs 10; Northern Districts 10, Shellharbour 8, Kiama 8, Nowra 8; Bomaderry 6.