Junior Tigers dominate

NORTHERN Districts Tigers dominated across all the Illawarra Junior AFL grades in the first game back after the holidays.

The under 9s kicked off in near perfect weather conditions against the visiting Kiama Power and established a 20-0 lead and were never threatened.

Hamish Whelan, Corey Schwarz and Noah Butler all put in big efforts for the 9s.

The under 10s picked up where the 9s left off and dominated all over the park for a 60-point win.

James Watson was very strong from the centre and set up the forward line attacks.

The under 11s Tigers weathered greater intensity from the Power, however the combination of Lucy Bergmeier around the packs, a 3-goal quarter from Alex Sparks, and with Daryn Hansen running freely, the Tiger team came home to a 13/7/85 to 6/8/44 win.

Darlene Hansen in the Under 12s, with Rory Davis, Damien Lum, and first year player Haydn Keifer played strongly for four quarters and were clearly the better-drilled side for their age group against Kiama in this division.

For 2007 the 14/15 year age groups combine and both Kiama and the Tigers set about playing quality footy with a goal a piece in the opening 5 minutes. The Tigers were down by 10 at the first break, however a change of field combinations by Coach Anthony O'Donohoe opened up the running game for Mitchell Hand and Jack O'Donohoe.

Full forward Jack Daskey relished playing in the goal kicking position and Harry Bergmeier when switched to halfback shut down Kiama's forward play.

The balance soon changed and the home side led at half time by 71/37 through quality team play right across the paddock. Fourth quarter defence shut the game down and the 14/15's scored their second win in as many matches, 16/11/113 to 9/9/63.