A BEST-on-ground performance from teenager Brendan Myers helped Wagga Tigers to 42-point victory over Leeton-Whitton on Saturday.
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Tigers made it nine straight victories to start the year as they proved a class above Leeton-Whitton and ran out winners, 12.9 (81) to 5.9 (39) at Robertson Oval.
The Crows started strongly but were unable to convert their ascendency to the scoreboard.
Tigers eventually got their running game going to lead by nine points at the first break, and a big second term stretched the margin to 28 points at half-time.
The Crows lifted in the third term and were able to close within 22 points at the final change and give themselves a sniff of victory.
It was only short-lived, however as Tigers kicked the only three goals of the final term to consolidate their position on top of the ladder.
Myers was sensational in his first senior game of the year, taking contested marks, kicking goals, winning hard balls and using the footy superbly.
Myers has been busy with representative football but made a big impression on Wagga Tigers captain-coach Shaun Campbell on Saturday.
“He’s a superstar, he’s unreal,” Campbell said.
“I hadn’t seen him play much but he was best-on-ground by a country mile.
“I seen him play one under 17s game and he tore it to bits.
“He’s good in the air, a good shot on goal, he’ll be good for us for the rest of the year.”
Campbell rates the Crows as Tigers’ biggest challenger and he was rapt with the way his team disposed of the visitors.
“Super happy,” he said.
“As I was just saying to (the playing group) then, we move the footy pretty well, we’re quick, it’s just a bit of hard work and we’ll come up trumps. It just comes down to hard work.
“They threw it up to us. Every team around here keeps coming and coming, you have just got to grit your teeth and work hard. They moved the footy well, they’re a big side and good on paper.”
Myers was well supported by Campbell, who had a big second half, and hard-running defender Campbell Lovell.
Teenagers Jake Gaynor, Jackson Kelly and Ben Kelly also played important parts in the win.
Tigers forward John Buchanan booted four goals but was locked in a see-sawing battle with young Leeton-Whitton defender Tyh Evans for the day.
Evans was named the Crows’ best, while Toby Conroy and Campbell Griggs would not have been far behind.
Grigg kicked four of Leeton-Whitton’s five goals and looked dangerous deep in attack, while youngster Ryan Dunn also impressed.