Woods boots seven as Kangas keep gallant Sharks at bay

A starring seven-goal performance from North Albany’s Jyrin Woods helped the reigning premiers overcome a spirited Albany side by 42 points at Centennial Stadium on Sunday, as the Kangas hold onto third spot for at least another week.

The Kangas’ hopes of a home elimination final appear likely to rest on their clash with the fourth-placed Mt Barker this week but they had to come from behind early on to get the points over the Sharks.

Kangas’ interim coach Rod Gillies admitted he was worried at the last change, his side holding a 25-point buffer over the home side that never looked comfortable. “At three-quarter-time we were generally worried, Sharks were in with a real chance,” he said.

“Our run and carry helped us move the ball quicker in the final term and having a big full- forward was key to kicking away in the last term.

“The score didn’t reflect the game.”

Woods proved the difference in the Kangas 14.16 (100) to 7.16 (58) victory, booting a season-high seven majors. He booted three in a six-goal second term for the Kangas and added his seventh in the final term to help the Kangas shake off a persistent but inaccurate Sharks.

The Sharks led by a single point at quarter-time bouncing back from a couple of frustrating weeks but the Kangas took control in the second with six goals to two, opening up a 26-point buffer at half-time.

Sharks forward Coen Marwick booted the first of the third stanza to bring the margin back to 19 points but two goals apiece still had the Kangas ahead going into the last.

A four-goal final term helped the Kangas hold sway as Woods was joined in the best players by half-forward Angus McKercher along with Grant Corcoran and Brodie Sumich who both had busy afternoons.

The Kangas had two debutants in Josh Rodger and Aden Castlehow play in the win while veteran Kris Ericson made his first league appearance since the 2017 grand final.

Marwick (two goals) was wayward in front of goal but was one of the Sharks’ best along with ruckman Rick Wallis, defensive pair Jack Banks and Flynn Turton and young ball winners Bryce Blaszkow and Fraser Eaton also had impact on the game.

Sharks coach Kim Mayfield was happy with his side’s response given the last fortnight and said they were “buying in” at the three-quarter-time huddle.

“You know when players are buying in to the message and I felt at three-quarter-time they were,” he said. “I talked about winning and we genuinely thought we were a chance.

“We kicked badly in the last quarter, missed a couple of real easy ones.

“It was the highest amount of scoring shots we’ve had since round one, our tackling pressure was really good and for once we did get a bit of reward in terms of scoring and we were still in the game at half-time.”