Central Augusta Bloods’ win over the high-flying West Augusta Hawks is not quite enough to claim top spot, but the victory brings them within 1.76 per cent of the lead.
In a two-goal victory it was midfield three-goal gun-recruit “Smokin” Joe Quigley in rich form that kept the Bloods flowing, despite brilliant defensive Hawk talons restricting the Centrals’ forwards.
In fact, if it were not for the West backline, the league-leaders would have been done by far more.
Working over-time were Noll, Bowey, Higgins, Kenny and the returning Richie Hobbs who were sensational in stopping twin-threats Grantham, Crabbe and livewire Jared Reid.
Up front for the Hawks it was “the Vincent Warren Show” and with a little more experience, confidence and luck could have easily slotted a match-winning six or seven goals.
As it was he pocketed four in a front –fifty occupied by the smallest attack seen for some time – they could have done with Shannon “Big Bird” Page big-time.
The first half was tight with the Hawks leading by eleven-points at the main change after being a point behind at the first break.
The game resembled a final.
Direct and inferred pressure led to numerous turnovers from both sides, poor kicking for goal, basic mistakes (not honouring leads and forgetting about “first-gives”) and skill errors that made it hard to watch.
Through all this the class of Jordan Warren, Hayden Warren, Ray Stapleton and Scharenberg for the Hawks and Quigley, McKnight and Ryan Morris for the Bloods shone.
The second-half was all Centrals as they added ten goals to the four from the Hawks.
The grunt came from Aaron Struck who did all the hard things and controlled the middle.
The spark came from Dawson on a wing (versus Jordan Warren), the lift from Hull and Ryan Morris across half-forward (three goals each) and the dash and will from Nathan Khan in defence.
The two-quick goals from Clayton-Waye set the tone for the roll that Centrals finally managed to get on (moving the ball quickly into the fifty at last unpicking the tight defence).
The Hawks wasted too many chances inside 50, but were still in the game going into the last quarter and only five points in arrears.
Given that the ball was on the ground and in dispute for most of the game body clashes were many and tempers frayed.
The last term was a better spectacle and more befitting a game between top and third.
In the middle the ruck saw Hilder, Scharenberg do very well against Jackson and Curnow all day but it was the take-aways from the Bloods following unit that was the difference.
Against a more switched-on and committed team both sides would have lost this game but as they played each other it was closer than it should have been.
That is, neither Centrals nor West were impressive and it took the Bloods all day to click and take the game.
The Hawks were missing Zubrinich, Woodforde, Page, Oak, Dadleh, Foulis, McKerlie and Mc Intosh and with them in this game the result could have been a little different.
As it was Centrals ground-out a tough win which will set them up for a thorough examination against Port this week.
Central Augusta 13.10 (78) d West Augusta 9.12 (66)
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