Out of a surplus of contributors Tom Schiller in the midfield, rebounding defender Rohan Baird and forward Ben Britton, who continually presented were major contributors.

Andrew Pech gave a near best-on-ground performance in a losing team.

Nick Reimann was outstanding in defence along with Brad Hughes. Craig Harvey, Greg Bain and John Roesler played well.

Barossa win shootout

In a high-scoring Dutton Park shootout, Barossa District beat Kapunda by a comfortable 29-point margin.

After six and five goals in the opening two terms respectively, the Barossa Bulldogs kicked another six in the third.

“For two periods of game, in the first and third quarters, we played some exciting football but we were patchy at other times,” Barossa’s coach Rian Nelson said.

“We felt we were in control at three-quarter time and the players were keen to make a statement. As a spectacle the game emphasis was on attack – it would have been easy for Damien Prouse to play a negative game.”

Up forward, Adam Spencer, Daniel Thomas and crowd favourite Matt Laurie kicked 11 goals between them for the victors, while Mick Mickan played a lone hand in attack for the home team, kicking five goals.

One of Barossa’s best recruits has been ex-Sturt reserves footballer Jack Martin. After doing a tagging job on Mike McCarthy early, he constantly drove the ball forward from half back from half way through the second term.

Aaron Spicer again was the leading big man on the ground, feeding the likes of Michael ‘Scrubby’ Taylor and captain Matthew Stelzer, and his brother Paul. Spicer’s contest with young Kapunda ruckman Michael Kerr was a highlight.

Returning from injury Brad James kicked several important goals for the Doggies.

Former Kapunda captain Sam Ryan returned to form for the Bombers while Brad Taylor kept finding the football with regularity.

Young Aaron Nitschke was very good for the vanquished, while Brad Valentine is starting to show the form which made him a top player in the Adelaide Plains competition.

With only two wins from their opening six games, the next two rounds are vital to the Bombers. They must beat both species of Tigers either side of the inter-association fixture to be a finals’ contender in 2008.

Barossa also have an interesting grudge match against Willaston on home soil this weekend.

The game was soured when Kapunda champion, Mick McCarthy left the field early in the second quarter with a knee injury and the synopsis is McCarthy will need a full knee reconstruction.

Also Bulldogs ace forward Daniel Thomas left the ground late with what is suspected to be a groin injury.

Coghill brilliant for Willaston

On the back of a stellar performance by Lee Coghill, Willaston secured an important 14-point win against South Gawler.

The only dominant forward in the game, Coghill kicked an equal-season high of nine goals which has elevated Willaston to second on the premiership table.

“Les Baker was very good. He is tough and hard and we are using him more through the middle,” coach Darrin Wilson said. “We burnt the footy in front of goals, especially in the first half. ”

Although Willaston only led by just over three goals at the main break, they had double the scoring shots of the Lions. After an even third quarter, the Donnybrooks outstayed their traditional rivals.

Along with Coghill’s supreme effort, other important contributors included Les Baker, big man Shannon Woods, the ultra-talented Matthew Brooks in defence, ball magnet Chris McLean and Michael Chomik, while first year player Luke Cahill and that man McLean were the other dual goal kickers.

Ryan Boers, Daniel Hendrey and Roger Heenen were commendable.

Having lost their last three in a row, South again relied too heavily on Aaron Bevis (38 possessions) through the middle and while he got support from Anthony Johnson on a wing.

“We were just two points down with 10 minutes to go,” coach Damien Herzick said. “But Willaston steadied and crucial turnovers cost us dearly. I can’t question the endeavour but skill execution needs to improve for us to win.”

Anton Gerardis kicked three goals while Scott Evans, Andrew Bevis and third-gamer Josh Vermeeren did well.

- Peter Argent

Central find it tough

The rebuilding Nuriootpa Tigers squad gave their Gawler Central namesakes a real run for their money at Gawler Oval on Saturday.

The first goal of the game went to Central’s Scott Hahn, who as he so often does, forced the defensive error. However the next three went to Nuri as they pushed out to an early lead.

Central readjusted and dug their heels in to stop the scoring and were able to add their second after some 10 minutes. A late goal to Shawn Gibson saw the visitors nearly two goals to the better at the first change.

Their resistance continued into the second stanza as they matched Central to go into the half-time break with a similar margin. Nuri’s last goal of the term, a running effort from Ryan Foulis, was the result of outstanding team play.

The third quarter is the ‘premiership quarter’ and this was where Gawler Central revealed their true abilities relative to the contest.

Without panic or wholesale changes, Mark Brandt’s charges wrested control from Nuriootpa.

Five unanswered goals swung the nature of the game and the advantage to Gawler Central.

Defending their two-goal lead wasn’t an easy task and their opposition were still very much in the game when Trewren goaled at the 12-minute mark. However the last three goals came from the Gawler Central boots of Brendan Niklaus, Jamie Scott and Hahn and the hosts were home by 23 points.

Gawler Central struggled against Nuri’s structured play however their greater experience and strength, especially in attack, allowed them to overcome their opponents’ game plans.

Better players were Brad Taylor, Aaron King, Jake Asher, Luke Howard, Kirk Heberle, Damien Hillebrand and Scott Hahn.

For Nuriootpa Billy Nicholls led the way, while Dean Vickery, Matthew Cragg-Sapsford, Chris Gerhardy, Ryan Foulis, Shawn Gibson and Tom Kowald were consistent in an encouraging display.

- Keith Jamieson

Footy Scoreboard

Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association

Played May 24.

A Grade

Willaston 3.5 7.11 10.12 15.13(103)

South Gawler 1.2 5.4 9.8 13.11(89)

Best: Will – L Coghill, S Woods, L Baker, M Brooks, C McLean, M Chomick; South – Aaron Bevis, S Evans, B Craig, A Johnson, Andrew Bevis, J Vermeeren.

Goals: Will – L Coghill 9, L Cahill 2, C McLean 2, S Woods 1, L Baker 1; South – A Geradis 3, Andrew Bevis 2, L Makris 2, A Johnson 2, A Costa, J Vermeeren, S Woodlands, N Kennedy 1 ea.

Tanunda 5.3 7.4 10.11 15.14(104)

Angaston 0.2 3.3 7.4 8.6(54)

Best: Tan – L Wells, R Baird, R Bignell, T Schiller, M Underwood, B Britton; Ang – A Pech, N Reimann, C Harvey, J Roesler, G Bain, B Hughes.

Goals: Tan – B Wall 5, A Kennedy 4, B Britton 2, M Godfrey, B Newberry, M Greenwood, R Bignell 1 ea; Ang – A Pech 3, M Danielle 2, T Read, M Doecke, G Bain 1 ea.

Barossa 6.4 11.7 17.10 21.12(138)

Kapunda 3.2 7.3 12.3 17.7(109)

Best: Bar – J Martin, M Stelzer, M Taylor, D Sharp, A Spicer, P Stelzer; Kap – M Mickan, A Nitschke, B Taylor, S Ryan, B Valentine, M Kerr.

Goals: Bar – D Thomas 4, A Spencer 4, M Laurie 3, H Commane 3, B James 2, M Stelzer 2, P Stelzer, L Kent, G Chamberlain 1 ea; Kap – M Mickan 5, D Leslie 2, N Brady 2, S Ryan, B Cox, M Kerr, Adam Turrell, Andrew Turrell, B Higgins, D Keane, A Nitschke 1 ea.

Gawler Central 2.4 6.6 12.11 16.14(110)

Nuriootpa 4.3 8.7 10.11 12.15(87)

Best: Cent – B Taylor, J Asher, S Hahn, A King, L Howard, D Hillebrand; Nuri – B Nicholls, D Vickery, M Cragg-Sapsford, C Gerhardy, R Foulis, T Kowald.

Goals: Cent – S Hahn 5, B Niklaus 3, B Taylor 2, G Cooke, K Heberle, A King, J Harris, D Hillebrand, J Scott 1 ea; Nuri – B Nicholls 3, J Tregenza 2, A Kaesler, J Smith, J Trewren, R Foulis, T Kowald, G Falkenberg, S Gibson 1 ea.

Reserves

South Gawler 2.1 4.3 8.5 11.6(72)

Willaston 3.1 4.3 4.3 7.6(48)

Best: South – S Earwood, D Delany, J Dare, K Houston, S Montgomerie, D Butler; Will – J Farrow, C Smith, B Dodd, L Findlay, M Deduonni, G White.

Goals: South – S O’Donoghue 3, D Butler 2, D Delany 2, M Smethurst, M Dimmuccio, J Dare, A Parsons 1 ea; Will – M Cotton 2, S Schugmann 2, B Silvy, J Farrow, R Brown 1 ea.

Tanunda 3.6 9.10 10.10 15.13(103)

Angaston 1.1 1.1 2.1 2.1(13)

Best: Tan – T Stewart, B Grocke, B Smart, J Oliver, S Tarca, D Goern; Ang – M Winter, J Schultz, C Hadden, C Hahn, B Swan, C Doecke.

Goals: Tan – B Grocke 5, L Underwood 4, K Falkenberg 2, A Ey 2, B Smart 1, J Oliver 1; Ang – A Hili 1, B Brook 1.

Barossa 3.4 5.6 9.6 12.8(80)

Kapunda 0.1 1.2 1.3 4.7(31)

Best: Bar – R Fromm, B Jones, J Owen, B Bussell, S Harris, C McAlpine; Kap – K Pfitzner, D White, M Koenig, K Ryan, M Holding, L Bagshaw.

Goals: Bar – R Fromm 3, M Heading 2, M Brooke 2, B Bussell, J Owen, D Handke, D Goodfellow, S Harris 1 ea; Kap – M Koenig 2, R Johnson 1, L Bagshaw 1.

Nuriootpa 1.2 1.4 7.5 9.7(61)

Gawler Central 4.0 6.2 7.3 9.3(57)

Best: Nuri – T Francis, L Sich, S Wigan, C Burgess, B Rohrlach, B Lydeamore; Cent – T Lamont, S Gladigau, A Symons, P Bova, A Frackowski, S Dawe.

Goals: Nuri – B Rohrlach 2, R Newcombe 2, T Jensen 2, C Linke, C Ware, J Koch 1 ea; Cent – C Elson 3, P Bova 2, C Koen 2, N Crothers 1, M Noack 1.

Senior Colts

South Gawler 0.4 7.9 7.11 10.15(75)

Willaston 0.1 1.1 5.5 6.6(42)

Best: South – T Hopgood, M Menadue, A Hewett, D Costa, S Gosden, S Thomas; Will – D Jones, C White, J Palmer, R Boswell, C Duffield, A Barclay.

Goals: South – D Clift 2, R Barker 2, N Borowski, R Coogan, P Errigo, S Foster, P Marschall, S Gosden 1 ea; Will – P Daly 3, G Bruce, R Boswell, B McLean 1 ea.

Angaston 1.2 8.6 9.7 11.10(76)

Tanunda 3.3 4.3 7.6 11.8(74)

Best: Ang – N Falland, S Rathjen, T Chinner, T Adler, C Nagel, B McHendrie; Tan – M Grocke, R Ferrett, L Agars, S Tscharke, J Chambers, J Frentsch.

Goals: Ang – N Falland 3, T Adler 2, B Egert, S Rathjen, S Rusca, T Chinner, D Jones, B McHendrie 1 ea; Tan – L Agars 4, J Frentsch 2, D Abinett, M Grocke, C Gattermayr, R Schultz, L Hamra 1 ea.

Kapunda 3.2 3.9 8.12 12.16(88)

Barossa 3.2 3.4 4.5 5.5(35)

Best: Kap – C Richter, L Norman, T McLennon, C Richmond, S McKinnon, L Foster; Bar – A McAlpine, C Page, J Hanley, M Van Dommele, Z Pretlove, D Jug.

Goals: Kap – L Norman 3, T McLennon 2, S Crawford 2, S Clancy 2, D Ryan, M Ruppelt, L Foster 1 ea; Bar – N Emes 2, Z Pretlove, J Hanley, L Perdon 1 ea.

Gawler Central 3.1 6.2 8.5 11.9(75)

Nuriootpa 3.3 3.3 5.4 5.4(34)

Best: Cent – C Molyneux, D Mills, L Hewitt, A Cullen, A Webster, J O’Hara; Nuri – D Cameron, S Hausler, D Mowbray, C McConnachy, A Lovegrove, J Carter.

Goals: Cent – A Webb 4, C Bilney 3, R Wenham, L Kemp, A Cullen, J Knott 1 ea; Nuri – M Kurtz 2, M Patrilli, D Mowbray, R Modistach 1 ea.

JUNIOR Colts

South Gawler 1.5 4.7 10.10 12.14(86)

Willaston 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1(7)

Best: South – M Demeo, C Cameron, M Gajewski, C Felstead, J Farrell, L Hewett; Will – J Waldhuter, A Jones, B Clinton, A Maloney, C Young, J Conroy.

Goals: South – A Hansen 3, B Barker 2, C Felstead 2, J Ahern, F Errigo, M Demeo, D Schwerdt, M Naumann 1 ea; Will – J Waldhuter 1.

Angaston 3.4 3.7 6.10 8.13(61)

Tanunda 0.0 4.0 5.0 5.3(33)

Best: Ang – S Rusca, R Barratt, H Edmead, J Koch, A Griscti, S Daken, M Robinson; Tan – N Reichelt, J Mitchell, J Marshall, L Kemp, L Gann, T Liersch.

Goals: Ang – S Rusca 7, J Wilson 1; Tan – L Neldner 3, E Wilson 1, T Liersch 1.

Barossa 4.1 5.3 9.5 12.9(81)

Kapunda 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2(2)

Best: Bar – D Curtis, H Traynor, J Madgen, H Errock, R Handke, J Perdon; Kap – T Matthews Brown, K Johnson, T McKinnon, S Zelenko, P Keynes, L Clancey.

Goals: Bar – H Traynor 4, J Perdon 2, W Aylett, B Cummings, H Errock, J Madgen, A Thwaites 1 ea.

Nuriootpa 2.1 6.8 8.10 11.16(82)

Gawler Central 3.2 3.2 4.4 4.4(28)

Best: Nuri – J Baldwin, K Schupelius, L Jaunay, D Burgess; Cent – T Princiotto, B Hunt, C Edmead, T Clark, J Bernardo, R Maudslay.

Goals: Nuri – J Baldwin 4, N Galler 3, S Lee 2, J Jaensch 1, C Shaw 1; Cent – T Clark 2, T Princiotto 1, J Mercer 1.