Worthington masterclass highlights Tigers’ victory against Kalgoorlie in GFL

Boulder key forward Scott Worthington put on a wet weather masterclass against Kalgoorlie on Saturday to lead a 61-point victory, 13.7 (85) to 3.6 (24), in a clash that formally recognised his family’s major contribution over many years to the Goldfields Football League. In an ominous sign for rival teams heading into next month’s finals, Worthington revelled in the worst conditions of the season by kicking six goals that earned him the Glenn O’Loughlin Medal as best afield. Saturday’s result consolidated second place for Boulder, who skipped a game, and a big percentage advantage, clear of Mines Rovers. The Tigers have a bye when the qualifiers finish this Saturday. It was a big statement by Boulder in key defender Dale Hamilton’s 100th game — a week after they lost to Railways by 31 points. The wet and slippery conditions were expected to aid the fourth-placed Roos’ cause, but instead they were left at the starting gates when the yellow-and-blacks piled on an efficient 5.1 to quarter-time. Worthington was in everything early, with clever knock-ons from the damaging left-footer that each produced goals highlighting two of the side’s opening three majors. He then helped himself to two goals of his own — the first from a mercurial mid-air kick that sailed through, and he followed-up with some brilliant forward craft that produced a contested mark before sprinting into an open goal. Trailing by 25 points at quarter-time, Kalgoorlie mounted numerous forward sorties through the opening 10 minutes of the second term. But they were opportunities wasted, and Boulder landed a key blow against the run of play when Worthington crumbed his own work to kick a third goal. Kalgoorlie workhorse Bailey Norris kicked the side’s lone goal of the term, but they were held to 1.4 after half-time against a stingy opposition defence. It was the black-and-whites’ second-lowest score of the season — following the 2.10 (22) they kicked against the Tigers in round nine. In was in stark contrast to Boulder, whose ability to handle the conditions produced 7.5 in the second half. “We seem to play better footy in worse conditions — when we strip it back and do the basics better, I guess,” Boulder coach Kye Bradley said. “It was one of those things that you always talk about — how to best play the conditions, although I felt we didn’t play complete wet weather footy. “We still wanted to bite a bit more off and take the game on more, rather than smacking it down the line. “But with Dustin (Walters) out, Scott gave us exactly what we needed and defensively, that group felt it was their best game together. “They’re definitely shining at the right time of the year.” With victory, Boulder claimed the O’Loughlin-Worthington Trophy. The clash at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre honoured two of the local game’s most prominent families with strong links across both clubs. Dr Mal Hodsdon proposed the concept early last season. O’Loughlin won the 1982 and 1983 Mitchell Medals while playing for Boulder but was also a member of Kalgoorlie’s 1988 and 1992 premierships. He is among three brothers, alongside Craig (who played for Boulder) and Ron (Kalgoorlie), who were each premiership players in the GFL. Phil and Rhonda Worthington are stalwarts of Boulder and the GFL whose three sons — Matt, Michael and Scott — have all played. Despite just four wins, Kalgoorlie are already guaranteed finals action — ahead of this Saturday’s clash with last-placed Kambalda at Kambalda West Oval to finish the qualifiers.