Tallon Smith

After a string of close results leading into the general bye, the Gundagai Tigers returned to their early-season form with a comprehensive 40-18 triumph over the Southcity Bulls at Harris Park on Saturday.

Winger Sailusi Temaka crossed for a hat-trick in his return from injury, while five-eighth Tyron Gorman bagged a double of his own to account for five of the Tigers’ seven tries in the 22-point victory.

The nature of the win was satisfying for Gundagai coach Hayden Ashcroft, who labelled their pre-bye form “patchy” following the side’s last start victory over Wagga Brothers.

“It’s something we have been speaking about over the previous four weeks, obviously [we’re] still winning, but just struggling to win well, so I knew it was something that we were capable of,” he said.

“It’s just really pleasing to have a full complement in terms of blokes on the park, and after a week off to put a win together like that is really pleasing.”

After Mat Lyons crossed for the opening try for Southcity, the Tigers responded with three tries in quick succession to Gorman, Gabriel Gul and Temaka to establish an 18-4 lead.

A grubber from Nathan Rose set up Lyons’ second to briefly halt the Gundagai charge, but when Gorman found Temaka with a pinpoint crossfield kick, the scoreline reached 22-8 at the interval.

The two sides then traded tries in the second half, with James Luff crossing first, followed by Jesse Fitzhenry off a quick shift sparked by a lost ball forced by a monster shot on Will Herring.

Gorman then crossed for his second, before Cody Hodge hit back for the Bulls, only for Temaka to have the final say on full time.

One difference in the side’s current two-game win streak has been a switch in the side’s spine, with Herring moving to fullback to accommodate Gorman’s shift into the halves.

Having made the change after the Tigers’ shock loss to Albury, Ashcroft said it has paid off so far, with both players showcasing their versatility by excelling in their new roles.

“They obviously both can play anywhere in the backs, but [we are] just trying to work on what’s best for the team,” he said.

“Tyron was our best on [ground] on the weekend, had a really good running game, scored two tries and came up with some really good decisions closing out sets with his kicks.

“Hez was really good at the back, seems to be on everything and in everything, so it’s been good for us.”

Ahead of Gundagai is arguably the toughest final stretch in the competition, with the defending premiers set to travel to Young this weekend, before closing out the regular season against competition leaders Temora at Anzac Park.

While he admits it will be challenging, Ashcroft said the fixtures will only serve to help his side prepare for what will be a fiercely-contested finals series.

“You can look at it either way I think, but if we want to be there at the end of finals and have a shot at playing in the grand final, we are going to have to be able to turn teams like Young and Temora away,” he said.

“It’s always difficult going over to Young and playing there, and they are a great side themselves, so it will be a challenge for us, every week is a challenge for us, and that’s just how close the comp is.

“For us to close out the competition rounds against Temora at Gundagai is a really good opportunity for us to hopefully play some good football.

“I’d love to see us come away with a win there and take out the minor [premiership]

“[It’s] a great opportunity for us over the next two weeks just to really see if our footy has come on and where we are at in preparation for finals.

“The draw is what it is, we just need to find a way to win and win well.”

Meanwhile, Saturday’s result was the latest blow to Southcity’s finals aspirations, with it now a game behind fifth-placed Cootamundra, and trailing by 68 in points differential.

Adding to that is the fact that the two teams directly above them, in the Bulldogs and Wagga Kangaroos, will square off at Geohex Park, with either result having positive and negative consequences for the Bulls.

A win to Cootamundra will keep it a game clear of the Bulls, but a Kangaroos victory will give them a chance to usurp both sides and claim fifth with another victory against Young in the final round.

The draw is in the Bulls’ favour in another way however, with their final round clash against Cootamundra giving the side a four-point swing and double the effectiveness in chasing the for-and-against deficit.

Before any of those calculations impact the side, Southcity will take on Wagga Brothers in a must-win clash this Sunday.

GUNDAGAI 40 (Sailusi Temaka 3, Tyron Gorman 2, Gabriel Gul, James Luff tries; Corey Wilson 6 goals) DEFEATED SOUTHCITY 18 (Mathew Lyons 2, Jesse Fitzhenry, Cody Hodge tries; Travis Smith goal) at Harris Park, Saturday August 8.