The Tigers burst out of the blocks and utilized the wind to jump out to an 18-point lead at the first break.

After quarter time the game was firmly in the Dogs grip, as they ran away with a comfortable 16.9 (105) to 7.10 (52) victory at Dennington Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Dennington coach Jacob Rhodes said he was pleased with his sides’ ability to capitalise on their early dominance after quarter time but still needed a slight adjustment.

“We just wanted to keep the momentum going, as it breeds confidence within the group,” he said. 

“We knew that we were winning plenty of the footy and our stoppage work at centre breaks was favouring us and it was just a matter of us using the ball better and adjusting to the conditions.”

“Early in the second quarter when we had the wind we were coming out to the club rooms side too much, which was a dead side and we weren't playing direct footy.

“I said at three quarter time that the way the wind was blowing you had to try and play straight up the ground or play over the far side and direct it in and you could see a couple times when we had that clearing kick and then all of a sudden if it didn't hit the bloke it would go over the back and we got some crumbing goals from it.”

The Tigers were a man down early when playing coach Jason Rowan was subbed out with a knee injury sustained when he was changing direction late in the first quarter. 

Rowan said his side failed to adjust to the wet and windy conditions, whilst the Dogs capitalised as the Tigers tried to cover the loss of their coach.

“We knew it was going to be a tough fought game as Dennington pride themselves on their contested footy and they adapted to the weather a lot better than we did,” he said

“They seemed to be able to just keep getting it forward and then push up to the next contest and get it forward again and just run in numbers and I don’t think our work rate was there and theirs was.”

The Dogs had five multiple goal kickers with Sam Curtis (four), John Vincent (three), Chris Paton, Tim Sheldon and Justin Wallace (two) all hitting the scoreboard.

Angus Chirnside was named best on ground after Rhodes threw his star midfielder into the back line. Rhodes said Chirnside had been a rock down back helping drive the Dogs forward.

Sam Gleeson was named the Tigers best player, while Rob Bright and the returning Josh Sobey were also mentioned in Merrivale’s top players.