General News
9 May, 2023
Tigers win under lights
IN cold wintry conditions, Simpson’s senior footballers notched up their first win of the season under lights at Cobden on Saturday.
IN cold wintry conditions, Simpson’s senior footballers notched up their first win of the season under lights at Cobden on Saturday.
The 25th anniversary Heytesbury Shield round five match against Otway Districts proved happy hunting ground for the Tigers, who fought hard for a nine-point win.
Senior coach Daniel Beard said while the side was thrilled to get a win on the board, it was just the start of a campaign to see them in touch with the top five by the season’s half-way mark.
“We play two sides I believe will inside the top four and two who will be towards the bottom so we really need to get three wins from the four to be in touch of the top five by the half-way mark,” Beard said.
“We will then reset for the second half of the season with our eyes on playing finals.”
Reflecting on last Saturday’s victory, Beard praised his side’s determination saying they “chipped away at it all night” and were rewarded.
“They got the jump on us early and it took a while for us to get over the top of them,” Beard said.
“It felt like we had more ball in our forward half but they were quick to get the turnover and move the ball forward; every time we got close they got another goal.
“We should’ve been in front at three-quarter time but thankfully we had a strong final term which got us over the line.”
Having kicked 2.7 in the first half and then adding 7.1 in the second, Beard said the Tigers would need to work on their conversion rate in front of goal.
“We need to take our time with shots on goal – and have through the big sticks not the little ones,” Beard said.
“Thankfully we had no injuries on the weekend and we should have one or two back for this week’s game against Irrewarra so we’re working towards being at full strength.”
Final scores were Simpson 9.8.62 to Otway Districts 8.5.53.
Thomas Leishman booted four majors for the game and was well supported by Matthew Drayton with three and Nicholas Harding two.
Leishman, Drayton and Harding were named among the Tigers’ best along with Lachlan Gass, Brock Neal and Jamie Barry.
Earlier, the Tigers’ reserve side enjoyed a 66-point win over Otway Districts, 13.8.86 to 3.2.20.
Rohan Johns, Sam Rix, Darcy Thorburn, Louis Duynhoven, Kyle Clemmens and Sam Rial were named best for the Tigers.
Goals went to Rix (3), Louis Duynhoven (2), Gus Hawkes (2), Brodie Neale (2), Kyle Clemmens, Jaryd Duynhoven, Jack Hawkes and Darcy Thorburn.
Simpson’s under 18s also enjoyed victory over Otway Districts, winning 8.8.56 to 6.9.45.
Best for the Tigers were Louis Duynhoven, Jack Balcombe, Bodhi Crole, Jayden Gass, Isaac Holland and Louis Janssen.
Isaac Holland booted three goals for the Tigers and was supported on the board by Jayden Gass with two and singles from Tyson Balcombe, Austin deBie and Isaac Howard.
