Tigers on a roll after thumping reigning premiers

Railways made it five wins in succession as they overpowered reigning premiers North Albany in emphatic style on Saturday afternoon, handing the Kangas back-to-back losses at Collingwood Park in the process.

The Kangas lost their first game of the 2019 season last week and started strongly in the round six contest, but slumped to a second straight loss at home after going almost two quarters without kicking a goal.

A 13-point quarter-time lead was quickly gobbled up by the hungry Tigers in the second term as they kicked five goals with the aid of the breeze.

The third quarter belonged to the visitors as they made all the running, led by their in-form midfield and finished off by their improving forward mix.

Youngster Cyrus Upson kicked two goals in the third as the Tigers opened up a 49-point margin by the final change, and when they kicked the first four majors of the last, the floodgates had opened as the deficit blew out to a game-high 74 points.

The Tigers conceded the final three goals of the game but it mattered little, as they coasted to a commanding 17.13 (115) to 8.5 (53) win and squared the ledger in the Warrick Proudlove Tribute Shield at 4-4 as well.

Midfielder Logan Stubber continued his outstanding form with 33 disposals and three goals in a display that will again net Kleemann Medal votes.

He was well supported by dashing defender Ryan Davies and Craig Frost, while Upson finished with 4.2 and Kenton Gibbs, playing on a permit from Kingsway, bagged three goals and took seven marks.

Tigers coach Troy Leo was pleased with his side’s ability to again win the contested ball and clearances.

“It was another good, consistent performance,” Leo said.

“They got the jump on us in the first quarter but to the boys’ credit they fixed a few things up and the last three we had the better of them.

“It’s a tough three weeks for us, potentially you could win none of them, so every win is important.”

With ruckman Stuart Parker still unavailable, the Kangas called on Nathan Dovey to play league and young gun Alex Pearce featured in the State country colts on Friday night, which ruled him out.

The Kangas kicked a late goal in the second term and then, after nearly two quarters, Angus McKercher ended their drought in the fourth.

Teenager Talon Delacey continues to impress, Nathan Crudeli worked tirelessly through the middle, while Dovey won the hit-outs and Regan Lloyd was rock-solid in defence.

Kangas coach Craig Dew said his team made uncharacteristic errors.

“We couldn’t get our hands on it and when we did get it, we turned it over so much,” Dew said.

“Whale (Dovey) was good in the ruck so I’m struggling to get my head around why we got so badly beaten at clearances.

“We don’t like losing but it’s the middle of the year and these things can happen.”

The Kangas have a couple of injury concerns as well, with Jacob Hobbs hurting his ribs, while Brock Ramsay (groin) and Ian Robson (shoulder) also went down.