Tigers trounce Kambalda in final game to reclaim third spot

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Tigers trounce Kambalda in final game to reclaim third spot

Stewart Graham looms as the hard luck story for Boulder heading into the Goldfields Football League’s 2024 finals series this weekend after he re-injured his shoulder in Saturday’s demolition of Kambalda, 43.22 (280) to 1.0 (6), to finish the qualifiers.

In a match they had to win by a big margin to reclaim third place and host this Sunday’s sudden-****** first semifinal against Kalgoorlie, the Tigers produced a 21-goal first half.

It paved the way for a lead of 132 points and they maintained the pressure after half-time with an efficient 22.10 — underpinned by Callum Johnson’s 10 goals.

A highly regarded midfielder who can pinch-hit in *******, Johnson’s 2024 campaign has been stifled by a knee injury.

But Boulder coach Simon Edwards hopes Johnson’s big game was a sign of things to come — starting against the Roos this weekend.

“He ran through the midfield as well, as opposed to merely standing up there as a small forward and trying to kick goals,” Edwards said.

“His work around the ground and at the stoppages meant it was a pretty complete game from him.

“He’d been really disappointed with the condition of his knee which had been holding him back, but he said that it was the best it’s felt.

“By getting his hands regularly on the footy and to kick a bag of goals has really put a spring back in his step, I reckon.”

The downside was Graham’s injury in his return match.

“He re-injured the same shoulder and given that he’d already missed a couple of games, it’s going to be hard for him (to be fit for the first semifinal),” Edwards said.

“We’ll give him every opportunity but at this very early stage, it’s going to be a struggle.”

Boulder debuted Sam George and Mitch Hobbs among five youngsters who lined up against Kambalda.

“Everyone’s in the mix (for selection this weekend) but in their case, they both played really well, adjusted to the game quickly and each kicked a couple of goals,” Edwards said.

“It was a great way to debut and showed that we have some depth, with the five colts among the senior 22.

“With that many changes, we weren’t sure how we’d go so to kick 43 goals was unexpected.”

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Tigers #trounce #Kambalda #final #game #reclaim #spot

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up