Geelong Advertiser | ANAKIE nullified the influence of former Collingwood and Fremantle star Chris Tarrant to record a much-needed 39-point win over Corio on Saturday.
Starting at centre half-back, Tarrant had a relatively quiet day, but did manage a goal when he pushed forward and looked to inspire the Devils after half-time.
“I don’t think Chris could have changed the result, whether he played forward or back. The whole side needed to play well around him,” Anakie coach Phil Gavin said.
“He’s a big unit. We tried to really work hard as a team and we tried to nullify his influence. We thought he would go forward but he actually went back, so we were pretty happy with that.”
Anakie set up the win with a blistering first quarter, kicking eight unanswered goals on the way to 10 for the quarter, to lead by 36 points.
It loomed as another long day for winless Corio but turned around as the Devils reduced the margin to 31 points by half-time.
Anakie regained control after the break and never looked in real danger, banking another win, its third this season.
Gavin commended his side’s output despite the second quarter lapse and poor kicking in the third.
“We’re pleased with the effort over four quarters. We probably dropped away a little in the second but for three quarters we were really good,” he said.
“The second quarter we probably got a little bit scrappy, but in the third quarter I thought we played pretty well; we had 17 inside 50s, for five points and they were all set shots at goal.
“It was good to hit the scoreboard a bit in the last quarter which took the pressure off.”
The win was a confidence boost for the Roos, who are ninth with a chance of another win next week against Geelong West.
“We’ve had a tough month, so to get an opportunity to play some sides that are similar to us on the ladder will be good,” Gavin said.
“We’re looking forward to the next month and hoping to get a few more wins.”
