Border Mail |
SETANTA O’hAilpin is poised to become just the third Albury player in the club’s 118-year history to kick a century of goals in a season after another starring role in the Tigers’ big win against Corowa- Rutherglen on Saturday.
The former Carlton and GWS man-mountain booted 10 goals in the 63-point demolition job at the John Foord Oval to take his season tally to 77.
He has five home and away matches and at least two finals to join club legends Doug Strang and Daryl Bakes as century goalkickers.
Bakes was the last Tiger to reach three figures when he booted 108 goals in 1982 while Strang twice booted a century of goals, including a league record 126 in 1938.
O’hAilpin kicked three in an opening term onslaught from the Tigers who had a stranglehold on the match by quarter time with a 33-point lead.
Youngster Matt Munro also booted two in the first term, including a brilliant dribble goal from the pocket and finished the match among Albury’s long list of contributors.
The Tigers were all over the Roos in the first term with the inside 50-metre count of 16-5 underlining their dominance.
Luke Wells’ influence in the ruck was also pronounced as the Tigers threatened to blow the match apart.
The Roos lifted in the second term on the back of Luke Gestier, who kicked his team’s entire score for the term of 3.2.
The Corowa-Ruther-glen defence also tightened up, with Jason Marks, Kade Kuschert and Lachlan McLarty coming under notice.
Albury again kicked clear in the third term as Lonnie Hampton, Luke Packer and John Mitchell won their share of touches.
The ominous sign was the Tigers were in total control without starring roles from top-liners Joel Mackie, Brayden O’Hara, Dean Polo and Chris Hyde.
Mackie sent a scare through the Albury camp when he limped off in the second term, but he was back on the ground by half-time.
Corowa-Rutherglen suffered an injury setback in the third term when Bryce Campbell twinged a hamstring.
Despite Jarred Lane making his presence felt around the ground, the Roos were held goalless in the third quarter and switched Gestier to full-back onto O’hAilpin at the start of the last term.
But the move backfired with the Tigers’ star booting four goals to bring up double figures for the fourth time this season.
Albury co-coach Daniel Maher said it was one of the Irishman’s best matches.
“He has had a couple of big ones, but it was one of his best accuracy wise and he took some good clunks,” he said.
Maher said the Tigers were given rocket at half-time after their pressure momentarily dropped off in the second term.
The Tigers play second-placed Lavington next round.
“Lavi at Lavi is always a challenge,” he said.
“It should be a beauty.”
Campbell said the fourth-placed Roos were outclassed.
“We made some basic mistakes with the footy,” he said.
“They are a really good side and were a lot better than us.”