It just keeps delivering, this AFL South Coast rivalry.
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At the end of the latest chapter on Saturday, Kiama moved to the top of the ladder on percentage, ahead of the Wollongong Lions.
And it was a blowout the standards set in the past two years, with the Power controlling the last quarter of an absorbing contest to win 9.9 (63) to 4.12 (36) at North Dalton Park.
Kiama coach Rod Richards was satisfied with the win, without goalkicking ace Troy Cole in the line-up, as the Power and Lions close in on a top-two finish and a double chance in the finals.
“There’s a long way to go, but I thought some of our young blokes really stood up again,” Richards said.
“It was a really tough, physical game again, we’re building into the season well.”
Midfielder Stuart Brierty, who has been playing with the Power for the past month after previous playing the AFL Sydney competition, was best-on-ground, wihile Callum O’Toole ad Tom Bell were also among their stand outs. Dave Nolen and Rohan Watson were the Lions best, but they could only manage three behinds in the final term.
Elsewhere, Figtree have all-but secured a place in the finals with a gritty 10.8 (68) to 8.11 (59) win over Shellharbour. The Roos are now two games clear of the Suns with six rounds remaining, hanging on after leading by 22 points at three-quarter time and withstanding a desperate comeback.
Wollongong Bulldogs thrashed Northern Districts by 100 points as part of coach Lee Murray’s 200th game celebrations.
Meanwhile, Former GWS Giants forward Kate Stanton showed her class with three goals at the Wollongong Saints continued their impressive campaign with victory over Pennant Hills on Saturday.
Stanton played in the inaugural AFL Women’s competition but with the league’s leading goalkicker, provided the focal point up front in a 6.6 (42) to 1.5 (11) win.
McGartland has kicked 43 goals this year, but Eleri Morris and Nicola Kennedy have also provided valuable support up front during the campaign.
The Saints have had just one loss this season and are clear at the top of the ladder, ahead of Western Magic, East Coast Eagles and Pennant Hills.
In the AFL South Coast Women’s competition, the Wollongong Bulldogs secured an important 17-point win in the finals race against Northern Districts on Saturday.
The Dogs are fifth, a game behind the Saints, but now two games clear of the Tigers.
Nowra-Albatross won their first game of the season against Dapto.