Bombers pass Tiger test
Nilma-Darnum’s Ben Campbell prepares to snap the ball against Lang Lang in the seniors. Photographs by FEARGHUS BROWNE.
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Nilma-Darnum flexed its potential for further improvement next season with an upset victory over an undermanned second-placed Lang Lang outfit.
Tigers coach Daniel Fry again took the field as the visiting side entered the contest with four changes, on top of the eight changes they were forced to make the week prior.
He would spend much of the final term on the bench as the Bombers had worked to a 40-point advantage at the final change on the way to winning 8-4 (52) to 1-6 (12).
The wintry conditions would see just two behinds apiece in the final term, but overall it was the Bombers who adjusted best to gap the Tigers on the scoreboard.
As they have for much of their home games this year, the Bombers brought high energy and were soon on the board through a long goal from Ben Campbell.
Mark Bradley had come into the Bombers line-up to form a double ruck combination with Nick Carrigy, and the pair controlled the contests to allow the likes of Sage Tapner win clearance.
Rickie Crockett broke away for the Bombers' second and the impressive start continued when Thomas Young made a one-handed pick up to hit up Tapner in front of goal.
Some loose checking allowed Tyler Guan to give off to Dylan Wilson for a long goal to finish the term, but it would prove to be the only joy for the afternoon.
Cody Harrison found Tapner open in the goal square before Nathanael Dungey followed up with a soccer goal of his own as the Bombers built on their barely believable start.
Harrison drew high contact to convert and increase the lead to 29-points at the long break.
With Patrick Oyee prominent across the ground and the likes of Jake Barnard and Nathan Campbell coming into the game, the Bombers built on their momentum.
Bradley Clark, Jackson Ventura, Lachlan Barwick, Dylan Gallasch and Riley Dolan were doing their best to stem the tide for the Tigers, but the Bombers would ultimately prove too good.
Tapner proved hard to catch in a running celebration after putting through his third from range before Brandon Cooper capped the strong win with an impressive snap from 45 metres.