ANGASTON showed why they still have to be considered a major player in the premiership chase in defeating South Gawler by 54 points on Saturday.
After losing their first two games Angaston has responded well to set their season up going into the bye this week.
Angaston coach Craig Hadden was very pleased with the nine-goal victory and the pressure and intent shown this week.
“Our pressure has been terrible in the last few weeks and our intent today on the football was exceptional,” Hadden said.
“We also hadn’t won the middle this year until today and although I thought Brady Scott was exceptional for the Lions through the middle we were able to win many of the clearances.”
South Gawler took the challenge to the Panthers in the first quarter until the experienced Angaston side took the upper hand and ran away.
South Gawler coach Andrew Milligan was disappointed with the end result but saw the positives in being able to have two new debutants in Alain Hewett and Matt Demeo.
“We were able to give the opportunity to another couple of younger lads to play A grade and prove their worth among the core group,” Milligan said.
Angaston kicked 15 of the last 20 goals in the game with Matthew Duldig and Brenton Bascombe providing the Angaston midfield with an excellent focal point when entering the forward 50.
“We were able to hit the targets in the forward line a lot better this week when we went inside 50 and convert the good work of the midfield players,” Hadden stated.
The South Gawler youth was again presented with some good experience with Ben Kerr and Peter Wharton matching up on Matthew Duldig and Brenton Basombe respectively.
“It was a good test for Ben and Peter to be given the task on two of the better forwards in the competition,” Milligan said.
“Although they kicked eight goals between them I thought both Ben and Peter held their own and rose to the challenge well.”
Angaston was served well through the middle with Todd Watson while up forward Matthew Duldig and Craig Robinson provided excellent forward line pressure and made up the top three players for the Panthers.
“Todd Watson picked up his role very well through the middle and with Duldig kicking five and the forward line pressure of Robinson we were able to keep to our structures and return victorious,” Hadden said. The standout performances for South Gawler included youngster Jackson Dare providing continual run off the wing and captain Aaron Bayliss picking up another 30-plus disposals.
“Jackson was exceptional with his carry of the ball and his effective use when delivering it inside 50,” Milligan said. “And when we faced our low points he provided us with his usual speed.”
Both sides were without some of their core group players and with Angaston without three of their stars in Bennett, Bain and Harvey coach Hadden hopes them all to be back after the bye.
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