Glenelg overcomes sloppy first quarter to beat West Adelaide in SANFL

GLENELG has used relentless pressure to shrug off a tardy first quarter and conquer West Adelaide in the SANFL clash at Richmond Oval.

Terry Milera nailed four goals for Glenelg. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

GLENELG reacted to two sloppy losses with an impressive 25-point victory over West Adelaide at Richmond Oval last night.

The Tigers overcome a tardy first quarter to secure their second win of the season, reigning supreme in the middle two quarters on the back of fierce pressure and terrific ball movement.

“We looked like an easy team to play against in the first quarter,” Tigers coach Mark Stone said. “We played a significantly different brand in the second quarter, a pressure brand, and that got us back in the game.

“It’s pleasing the players can walk away with a strong lesson about earning wins, teams won’t just hand it to you.”

The Bloods had a goal on the scoreboard within a minute of the battle after receiving a free kick before a ball had been even been bounced. Skipper Tom Keough banged the ball into attack for Mason Middleton to mark nail the set shot.

While the Bloods were getting some fluent movement, the Tigers’ high possession game in defence was being punished for any mistakes as the home side escaped to an 18-point lead.

When the Tigers were able to find their targets they were dangerous, such as 18 minutes into the contest when Ian Milera’s goal was reward for fine work by teammates.

The two sides must have swapped jumpers at quarter-time. The Tigers took over complete control of the stoppages and they constantly bombarded their attack against an opponent struggling for answers.

It was typical Terry Milera who bagged two goals within a minute, finding space to finish off in front of goal. Then it was typical Josh Scott, marking strongly one-on-one before kicking the goal.

Tiger's Bradley Close takes a good mark. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

With the Tigers retrieving all the ball and winning all facets of the game, they went on the attack to have four goals in the first seven minutes of the second term and the lead.

It took the Bloods 21 minutes into the quarter to add to their score, Jono Beech missing a set shot. Just a minute later, Izak Rankine pulled down a high-flying mark in the goal square for the home side.

The longer the game progressed, the more superior the Tigers.

Their pressure and tackling created turnovers and uncertainty for the Bloods. And they were much cleaner with their skills.

When the Bloods did their hands on the ball, they were often forced to go to a contest because of the opposition’s committed defensive strategies. Or they made a poor decision, or fumbled.

The Bloods failed to score in the third quarter, such was the Tigers’ dominance, and while they showed fight in the final term, the visitors kept them at arm’s length.

“They lifted the intensity after quarter-time and we did not adjust,” Bloods coach Gavin Colville lamented. “We were allowed to play on our terms in the first quarter and credit to them, they lifted the intensity and dried up our offensive movement.

“I was pleased we stuck at it in th last quarter and were still in it. But they deserved the win.”

GLENELG 3.3 9.4 11.9 13.12 (90)

WEST ADELAIDE 6.2 7.3 7.3 10.5 (65)

BEST - Glenelg: Curran, Proud, Motlop, Snook, Amato, T. Milera. West: Schiller, Stevens, Noble, Hill, Porplyzia.

GOALS - Glenelg: T. Milera 4, Scott 3, Motlop, Hosie, I. Milera 2. West: Bates 2, Middleton, Stevens, Rankine, Karpany, Keough, Anderson, McPherson, Hill.

UMPIRES - Burke, Scott, Bowen.

INJURIES - Glenelg: Joseph (concussion). West: Karpany (hamstring).

CROWD - 1444 at City Mazda Stadium, Richmond.