GIBSON is just one victory away from the 2008 EDFA minor premiership after overpowering Esperance to claim a 53-point victory, maintaining a four game break at the head of the league ladder.
But the Tigers were placed under pressure early with key players Leigh West and Tye Tyrrell both missing from the game dubbed as the battle between the cats and the dogs, played at Esperance Oval.
The Bulldogs also had a major surprise for the visitors, opening the game in style with five quick goals giving Esperance a 24-point break early.
But the Tigers were able to settle into the rhythm that has seen the club suffer just one loss this season, and through the efforts of youngster Brodie Green bounced back with seven majors to go into the first break 18 points clear.
With the momentum in their favour the Tigers continued to create scoring opportunities through the second quarter and although Esperance tried valiantly to halt the flow inside Gibson’s forward fifty they could do little as the visitors extended the margin to 38 points at the main break.
Green was particularly damaging in the Tigers’ forward lines, the youngster kicking four goals on the day.
Gibson were also getting great value from the likes of Clinton Strickland (three goals), James Chellew (two goals), Sasha Bozanich (two goals) while Jordan Whiting also handed in a great performance netting two goals.
Despite having to play catch-up football, the Bulldogs started the second half as they did the first, working the ball into their forward lines. Damien Wood (four goals) gave Esperance a focal point capable of kicking the side back into the game.
James Gray (two goals) was also responsible for a big performance through the midfield, and into the forward lines Roger Parsons (two goals) tried valiantly to lift under pressure.
To their credit the Bulldogs were able to emerge on top of the Tigers from the third quarter, having kicked four goals while holding Gibson to just the one major, but this was short lived as the margin blew out again in the final term.
Buoyed by the efforts of Green, up front, Kim Jones played a great game for the Tigers and ended the day as best on ground. Youngster Ryan Prott also rated highly among the better players while Whiting, Dale Guest and Baden Norwood were all good.
Wood and Gray both headed the Bulldogs’ best with Parsons and Trevor Anderson also playing well along side of Shane Kirkup and Brad Crough.
Final score: Gibson 19.19 (133) b Esperance 12.8 (80).
The Tigers also had reason to celebrate, keeping their unblemished record for 2008 intact with a resounding 76-point win over Esperance.
Although Esperance handed in one of their better efforts for the season the Tigers were always in control of the scoreboard through the efforts of Brenton Bridges and the evergreen Kym Curnow, both ending the day with three goals.
Kerin Burnett also played an exceptional game while Brendon Tyrrell was as hard to contain as a bull at the gate.
Mal Trebley rated among the Tigers’ best along with veteran Michael Krugger and James Hunt.
For Esperance, Jamie Hellmrich tried hard despite carrying an injury, Mick Solly and Matt Veness also worked along with Wade Hampel and Ian Abdullah.
Final score: Gibson 13.8 (86) b Esperance 1.4 (10).
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff