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Tigers on song in lop-sided victory over Eagles

Neale HarveyKalgoorlie Miner
Boulder’s Jai Rout with the ball during his team’s round five Goldfields Football League match against Kambalda on Thursday night.
Camera IconBoulder’s Jai Rout with the ball during his team’s round five Goldfields Football League match against Kambalda on Thursday night. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

Boulder rounded out the Goldfields Football League’s fifth round on Thursday night with victory over an under-manned Kambalda by 169 points, 28.17 (185) to 2.4 (16), but it was largely bittersweet.

Boulder’s Michael Wood.
Camera IconBoulder’s Michael Wood. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

In a dreadfully one-sided clash at Digger Daws Oval, the result entrenched Boulder in second spot with three wins and a league-best percentage of 253.33.

The Tigers’ performance, however, was overshadowed by a serious knee injury just four days earlier to Cam Grover.

Grover was notably absent against Kambalda, with assistant coach Simon Edwards confirming the star midfielder would miss the rest of the season.

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“Cam is absolutely one of our prime movers and a bit of silk in that midfield engine room,” Edwards said.

Kambalda’s Brayden Holtham.
Camera IconKambalda’s Brayden Holtham. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

“He’s the type of player that if we have a problem somewhere, we normally send him in there to add some polish around the stoppages and be creative.

“It’s a big blow to us, but it gives someone else an opportunity to go in there and do Cam’s job.”

Kambalda led early in Thursday’s match after kicking two of the opening three goals.

But after Boulder emerged from the quarter-time huddle with a wasteful 3.8, it got ugly quickly as they moved into top gear.

Boulder’s lead at half-time was 56 points but the pain was just beginning for Kambalda, who conceded 18 second-half goals.

Kambalda’s Byron Pickett Jr.
Camera IconKambalda’s Byron Pickett Jr. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

After posting 2.2 to quarter-time, Kambalda ran the risk of going scoreless the rest of the way.

The drought was finally broken in the last term with James Murray’s missed set shot and a forced behind.

Boulder’s Michael Wood booted six goals in just his second game back.

“Michael missed the first two games but did have a fairly solid pre-season,” Edwards said.

“He had the kilometres in the legs but not the match fitness.

“It was good to see him going for his marks and kicking some goals, but also in the general way he moved (because) he is pretty active and athletic and provides a contest.”

Jai Rout also booted six goals for Boulder, with the main support coming from Brett Blair, Jack Martin and Jake Nuich (three goals).

Boulder’s Josh Porteous.
Camera IconBoulder’s Josh Porteous. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

Sam Burge and Albert Dean were also impressive for the Tigers.

“Their (Burge and Dean) efforts were pretty notable and our prime movers, who gave Woody and others their opportunities,” Edwards said.

Brady Steinhauser and Aiden Anderson kicked Kambalda’s goals.

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