Finals bound Waratah dominate a lacklustre Palmerston in the first of three games in 10 days

All the big names at Waratah fire in a 126-point win over Palmerston as finals football looms large

Aiden McAdam was one of Palmerston’s best in their big loss to Waratah. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT/Media

WARATAH overcame an extended time away from the playing arena and

overwhelmed a lethargic Palmerston at Marrara.

Tahs had not played for a month but showed they are genuine finals contenders following their 24.18 (162) to 5.6 (36) victory.

A free kick and goal to Brock Orval got Tahs on the scoreboard early and a big

mark by Arnold Kirby gave the red-and-white team their second soon after.

Brodie Carroll kicked truly from deep in the pocket and Tahs settled into a

secure game plan.

Palmerston had plenty of ball in their forward area but couldn’t capitalise until busy small forward John Harvey swooped on to his preferred left-foot and nailed a six-pointer.

It was all Tahs in the second where Abe Ankers got his side going with a brace

of goals early and followed up with his third for the term on the siren.

Fellow midfielder Robert Turnbull together with lively half-forwards Henry Kerinaiua

and Kim Kantilla were given room to run riot and at the long break, it didn’t

look good for Palmerston who were held goalless.

Brodie Carroll popped one through from the square inside the first minute of

the third and when Jake Sutton followed from centre-half forward, it was all

red-and-white again.

There was some joy for the Magpies, Matthew Rankine booting their first major since the opening quarter at the halfway mark of the term.

Rankine opened the scoring with a snapped goal for Palmy after a minute of

the final quarter and followed up with another soon after, but it was too little

too late.

Waratah running halfback Tim Mosquito played his first game for the season

and had some good news for Tahs fans — he is here to stay.

“It was a good win today and I’m pretty happy to be back playing footy for

Waratah, it was a really good team win,” he said.

“I’ll definitely be staying here. I brought the family up last week and we are

all happy to stay here for the rest of the footy season.”

WARATAH 5.2 11.8 17.13 24.18 (162)

PALMERSTON 2.3 2.4 3.5 5.6 (36)

GOALS — Waratah: A Ankers 5 K Kantilla 3 R Turnbull 2 B Orval 2 B Carroll 2 A Kirby 2 T Mosquito 2 H Kerinaiua 2 J Sutton M Blake J McGrath J Simson. Palmerston: M Rankine 3 J Harvey S Lampton.

BEST — Waratah: R Turnbull C Searle T Mosquito H Kerinaiua A Moloney

Palmerston: E Guthrie S Brock K Annand A McAdam T Lui