North Whyalla grabbed fourth place on the ladder when they defeated Weeroona Bay by 21 points at Bennett Oval in the Friday night game.
The game was played before a good crowd in cool, calm conditions with umpires Nick Hellowell and Greg Warner in charge.
Norths took the points in the first term with their ‘gun’ full-forward Nick Prokopec kicking two goals and another coming from Brad Medlin.
However the Bays got two back from Anthony Malcolm and Andrew Hoffman to trail by nine points at the first change.
Prokopec kicked another three goals in the second term.
He was unstoppable with strong marking and accurate kicking and at the long break had scored five of his team’s eight goals.
Norths were the better team in the first half and they deserved their 21-point lead.
Their kicking skills were superior to the Bays and they were most impressive when they ran the ball out of their back-lines.
The third term was the Bays best.
They kicked 3.2 to 2.1 to trail by 14 points at the last change with Malcolm kicking two and the other coming from Hoffman.
Prokopec was held goal-less in this term but he missed narrowly on a couple of occasions and handed off to team mates who were in better positions.
Norths’ two goals came from Wayne Dare and Aaron Preiss.
The game was up for grabs at the last change, because although the Bays trailed by 14 points they had 12 under 21s in their line-up so they had plenty of run in their legs.
However Norths hung on by scoring 4.2 to 3.1 and ran out deserved winners by 21 points.
Prokopec bounced back to kick another two goals to take his tally to seven for the game.
Chad Clotheir also kicked two while the Bays three goals came from Malcolm, Hoffman and Josh Parker.
Norths deserved their win by playing the better football in the first half but it is interesting to note that the last half was even with both teams scoring 6.3.
Nick Prokopec was North’s best player and also best on the ground.
He was unstoppable at full-forward in a billiant display.
Luke Seymour also played well, as did Aaron Grimm, Tim Brown and Chad Clothier.
Lee Ringland was the Bay’s best player in a dashing display.
Andrew Hoffman and Anthony Malcolm were very prominent with four goals apiece, while Geoff Appleton and Josh Parker were good contributors.
Norths will play South Whyalla at Memorial Oval next Saturday in a game that will attract a lot of attention because these teams fought out a thrilling draw just two weeks ago.
Weeroona Bay will play their arch rivals Roopena on the same day at Bennett Oval and will be out to redeem themselves because they were soundly defeated by the Roos recently.
North’s coach David Freeman was very pleased with his teams determined display and said that they can still improve.
Harry Marks was very impressed with the Bay’s improved performance in this game.
He said that Prokopec was the difference in a tight game.
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