Speedy Tiger cubs bring down Bulls

Mt Barker coach Brad Hook has praised a youthful Railways side that dealt a lesson to his charges, after the Tigers emerged 63-point winners at Sounness Park on Saturday to guarantee a top-two finish.

Without key trio Bodhi Stubber, Joel Want and Mitch Green the Tigers played eight colts and Kyle Smith made his league debut but they simply had too much run and poise under pressure as they kicked 10 goals to two in a commanding second half display.

The margin was 14 points at half-time but Tigers spearhead Zak Hortin, damaging midfielder Logan Stubber and new recruit Trent Bradshaw each kicked two goals in the third term to break the game open.

Hortin finished with five goals, all opposed to Adam Tissott, while Craig Frost was best afield and Stubber was not far behind him in the 16.12 (108) to 6.9 (45) victory.

After the match, a frustrated Hook labelled the game his side’s worst performance of the season on a day when their club celebrated 25 years.

“The amount of guys Railways had out, we were very ordinary and they were fantastic,” Hook said.

“It was disappointing from our boys considering the day.

“Their young guys had so much run, we fumbled marks and missed kicks and all credit to them their pressure and willingness to work for each other was terrific.”

Bradshaw booted three majors and mobile big man Kenton Gibbs was influential again as the Tigers won their fourth game on the trot heading into a spicy clash with ladder leaders Royals this week.

Ethan Knee injured a hamstring and Kane Shephard copped a poke to the eye but Tigers coach Troy Leo was encouraged by his side’s performance away from home. “We had 12 blokes under 20 today, we found a couple more that can play league footy,” he said.

“Even though we had a couple out I thought the side we put out was still a really competitive side.

“The older boys led from the front and the young boys were exceptional.

“(Top two) means injury wise we don’t have to rush guys back in.”

The Bulls won the second term, kicking three goals, two from Lee Pavlovich who was sent forward and a wonderful boundary-line snap from evergreen left-footer Sam Lehmann.

However their side simply couldn’t go with it after the main break. Lehmann (24 disposals, 10 marks), Jesse Wynne (22 touches) and Pavlovich were their best contributors.

For the Tigers Frost gathered 18 possessions in the second half and kicked a goal while Logan Stubber racked up 29, 10 of which came in a busy third term.