HE almost forfeited his spot due to work commitments, but Rovers senior debutant Oliver Westwick has played an instrumental role in the Lions’ most colossal win of 2016.
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The first-gamer booted three goals in South Rovers 23.29 (167) trouncing of an undermanned Russells Creek, who could only manage 1.5 (11) in trying conditions at the Walter Oval on Saturday.
Westwick’s efforts were accompanied by eight goals from Rovers’ veteran Damian Jones, and another four from sharpshooter Nathan Krepp.
South Rovers coach Nathan Isles hailed the output of the side’s young brigade, including Westwick, but said the sixth-placed side had to continue to tidy its act ahead of a gruelling month of fixtures.
“We need to make sure we win the contests that could go either way, because if you miss one and you come away with a 150-point win, like we did today, it doesn’t matter that much,” he said.
“But if you’re losing those against sides like Old Collegians, Kolora-Noorat and Merrivale, it could be the difference between a win and a loss.
“We hit our targets inside 50 really well and we haven’t really done that all year. It’s really pleasing to get the win but there are so many other things that we can still improve on.”
Isles said he was pleased with the form of Braden Hotker, Jakeb Templeton, Julian Claridge and East Warrnambool recruit Simon Tindall.
“They haven’t been out of form, but today they really hit their straps and had some great patches of play. It’s so important they found that because of the month we have ahead,” he told The Standard.
“Hotker is always great, he’s phenomenal. I was happy for Damian Jones. For a bloke who is only 175cm odd, to kick eight goals from full-forward was immense.”
He said the impact of the half-back line in kick-starting the Lions’ attack was the catalyst for the win.
“Sometimes with sides that are down on their luck a bit, they can put a lot of players behind the ball. But our half-backs were great in using the ball and were really clean in delivery,” Isles said.
South Rovers, who moved into sixth place with the victory, are now preparing for an assault at snatching a finals berth – despite upcoming hit-outs against Kolora-Noorat, Merrivale and Old Collegians.
Meanwhile, Russells Creek will face Nirranda next week.