RANGERS spearhead Ryan Bail might be coming off a dramatic three goal haul, but the 16-year-old is crediting strike partner Michael Loughhead for playing a role in the feat.
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The forward duo, who are often joined by third attacker Leevy Gattek, have netted a combined total of 13 goals in 15 games this season.
Bail, who leads the Rangers golden boot race with seven goals from his 14 games, said the partnership was starting to gel on the back of a purple patch for the club across the park in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association.
“It’s really good having three up front as opposed to being singled out up there,” he said.
“We’re finding each other a lot better and the midfield is coming through really strong with Tom Cowling and Isaac Slater. The four three three formation is working out as a good setup for us at the moment.
“This is my first full year of senior football. It’s been a good challenge coming up against bigger bodies but I just try to use my pace to my advantage.”
Originally from Portland, Bail’s junior footballing career was played out in the state’s far south-west before he was handed an opportunity to hone his craft against competition in Adelaide.
He praised the guidance of former Portland coach David Stafford, who was at the helm for most of Bail’s early playing days.
“He’s kept me the whole way along and helped me develop as a player,” Bail said.
"We used to travel to Adelaide to play most of our country or state championship games. We usually came off pretty well up there, because we had a set team and would play together a fair bit.
“I got picked for the stage above, which is the talent championships, and it was massive (for development) to come up against sides like West, East and North Adelaide in that competition.”
The Emmanuel College student said the task of rebuilding the side after several key departures last season had been made easier with the elevation of players from the club’s under 17 and reserve stocks.
“Losing Marty, Matt and Nick (Van Rooy) from the division one side was tough but now they’re playing in the local league. They’re still with us and around the club and that is great,” he said.
“Our goal has to be finals. I reckon we can go fairly far into finals, as we’ve beaten every team in the league so far this year. I think we can make the grand final.
“We’ve got three games at home heading into the end of the season and I think we’re yet to lose here.”
Warrnambool welcome Vic Park Blue to the Jones Oval on Saturday.
