Waratah recovers from St Mary’s thrashing to beat Wanderers and revive their finals hopes

AN eight-goal third quarter was enough to secure Waratah the four premiership points in the Great Air Race NTFL clash at Gardens Oval

Wanderers’ Braedon McLean was his side’s best in the loss to Waratah.

AN eight-goal third quarter was enough to secure Waratah the four premiership points in yesterday’s Great Air Race NTFL clash at Gardens Oval.

In an otherwise scrappy contest where both sides were missing key players, Tahs’ eight-goal haul immediately after half time paved the way for a 14.14 (98) to 9.12 (66) win.

Their coach Ryan Ayres’ smile post match was more about the four points than any extraordinary performance from his players.

“You’ve got to take four points when you can get them in a pretty tight competition like this one,’’ Ayres said.

“It was a pretty scrappy contest all round where momentum swings dominated and we happened to be on the right end of one in the third quarter.’’

Tahs entered the match without creative backman Tim Mosquito and spearhead Michael Newton and struggled to get their game going against the enthusiastic Muk Muks.

They did kick three goals to old cemetery end where the breeze was blowing while holding the young Wanderers side scoreless.

But the Eagles fought back in the second term when Stanley Tipiloura booted three of his side’s four goals, the last one coming after the half time siren.

That sparked a Tahs surge when six players shared in the third quarter goalfest that shot them to a 40-point lead, Abe Ankers kicking three of them, including two in a row after he was dumped after disposal.

Wanderers were forced to play senior coach Shannon Motlop in a reflection of their playing depth.

Both the Liams — Patrick and Jurrah — were missing, along with Marlon Motlop, big ruckman Scott Meyer, Daniel Weetra, Davin Ferriera, Shane Thorne and tough midfielder Jared Erlandson.

But they had some bright spots, joint skipper Braedon McLean was superb across half back and Beau O’Connell got his hands around the football on several occasions.

WARATAH 3.3 4.8 12.11 14.14 (98)

WANDERERS 0.4 4.5 6.7 9.12 (66)

GOALS — Waratah: A Ankers 4 K Kantilla 2 K McBean 2 D Collis W Gorman D Booth B Zobel S Godden H Kerinaiua. Wanderers: S Tipiloura 3 W Williams 3 S Motlop K Fejo D Thompson.

BEST — Waratah: D Collis H Kerinaiua A Ankers B Zobel M Blake. Wanderers: B McLean D Thompson B O’Connell K Fejo S Tipiloura.