Collingwood stole victory in the dying minutes of their match against North Ballarat at Victoria Park last Saturday, winning by a solitary point, as Sam Landy reports.
The Roosters had the ascendency for most of the contest, leading at each of the changes, notably by 24 points at three quarter time. But the Pies outplayed the reigning premiers in the final term, booting five goals to one to run over the top of them.
North Ballarat coach Gerald Fitzgerald warned his players of the opposition’s ability to pile on consecutive goals in the three quarter time huddle. He said: “Collingwood have been capable of kicking five or six goals in a quarter and they’re capable of doing it again.” The coach’s statement proved true, and despite his pleas that his players must “rise in [their] competitiveness” the Roosters were unable to stop the onslaught.
The atmosphere was expectant at Victoria Park despite Collingwood coming off heavy losses to Bendigo and Werribee in the past two rounds. The Pies’ theme song was blasted around the ground and fans packed the stands. AFL Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse sat among them, as did Anzac medallist Scott Pendlebury who was at the ground to cheer on his younger brother Kris.
The first term was fairly even with both sides enjoying periods of momentum. The home team opened the scoring when Jack Perham goaled just minutes into the quarter. The Roosters responded with the next two majors, the first from a free kick and 50 metre penalty to Jason Linke and the second a 60m bomb from Cruize Garlett who starred throughout the match. The Pies kept the margin close when a brilliant play involving Brent Macaffer and Perham set up the first of Alex Fasolo’s two goals. The quarter time deficit was eight points to North Ballarat but the Collingwood faithful felt it should have been closer, expressing their disgust at the number of dubious free kicks paid against their side.
The visitors extended this lead to 26 points at half time, slotting four goals to Collingwood’s one in the second term. But neither side was particularly impressive in the quarter, with kicking and handballing errors from both teams causing an array of turnovers. General play was tight and congested, especially in the forward 50s, making goal scoring difficult. Collingwood’s Macaffer resorted to pulling out tricks to break his team’s drought, attempting a banana kick at goal off the side of his boot late in the quarter which just missed to go through for a behind.
The third term played out in similar fashion to the second with North Ballarat maintaining a 24-point lead. Both sides continued to turn the ball over in a scrappy display. Collingwood started the quarter well with a ripper goal from Fasolo, but the Roosters soon hit back with a major from Kangaroos forward Aaron Edwards. The sides played out the quarter with two further goals apiece.
The final term was easily the best of the match. The Pies appeared reinvigorated, stunning the reigning premiers by slotting five consecutive goals. The teams drew level at the 20 minute mark of the quarter when Collingwood’s Brett Eddy booted his third goal for the game. The home team hit the front for the first time since early in the first quarter with a leaping mark and straight kick from Kalem Post. With the Pies up by seven points with only minutes to play, Garlett was awarded a free kick and subsequently a goal to bring the Roosters within a point, much to the dismay of the Collingwood faithful. But it wasn’t enough, the home team running out winners by the smallest of margins.
Lachlan Keffe was a rock in defence for the Pies, supported by AFL backman Tyson Goldsack. Eddy booted three goals for the third week in a row, consolidating himself as the Pies’ go to man up forward. Tom Sundberg amassed 29 disposals in an impressive display and Fasolo was a solid contributor with two goals, 20 touches and six tackles. Kris Pendlebury and Scott Reid were also among the Pies’ best.
Garlett was superb for the Roosters, picking up 37 possessions, taking 10 marks and booting two goals. Ryan McKenzie was solid in the midfield with 26 touches and a goal while Orren Stephenson dominated in the ruck with 30 hitouts. Myles Sewell, Cameron Richardson and Marcus Darmody also worked hard.
Final score:
Collingwood: 11.10.76
North Ballarat: 11.9.75
Last Modified on 04/05/2011 14:07