Darling Downs held off a fourth quarter comeback by the Morningside Panthers to a record a memorable 7point victory at Esplen Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Tom Wainwright led the way for the Crows, as the "bulldog" like midfielder took his game to another level against the Panthers. Formerly a small defender, Wainwright has been transformed into a key midfielder/medium forward for the Crows in 2012.
Morningside kicked the first goal of the game, as the Crows took several moments to settle themselves and play their style of footy. It was in the 8th minute, when half forward-flanker Adam Green, slotted through the Crows first score and this was shortly followed by another goal by Full-Forward Lachlan Walters.
DD took a slender 7 point lead into the first change. The Crows had 10 inside 50's to the Panthers 5 and DD were only able to score from 4 of these 10, as the Crows focussed on attacking pressure.
With a number of key players out due to holiday commitments and injury, the Crows younger brigade stood up and played pivotal roles. Young gun Sam Flannery stood tall, as he slotted into Centre-half forward as regular CHF Lachie Thomas was out with a ankle injury.
Flannery took a good contested mark thirty-five out from goal and much like his monster of a goal on Saturday for South Toowoomba slotted truly. Adam Green chipped in with his second goal, as the Crows extended their lead to 17 by the half time break.
The Crows flexed their muscles in the third quarter as they piled on four goals straight to the Panthers one. Darling Downs were able to extend their lead to 33 at the final change. By this stage Wainwright, Huggins and Dignan were attracting alot of footy and setting up the game.
Coach Neumann mentioned at the three quarter time huddle that the Panthers would still keep coming and the Crows need to lift it up another gear. Morningside came out swinging in the final term piling on 5 unanswered goals but Captain Lachlan Dignan stepped up when teams need their captain most and kicked home the winning goal.
Darling Downs were able to hang onto a memorable 7point victory away from home against one of the States powerhouse clubs. The Crows now face the Kenmore Bears at Rockville Oval on Sunday 1st July at 2:30pm, this is a top of the table clash.
1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
Morningside |
1 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
3 |
3 |
21 |
8 |
5 |
53 |
Darling Downs Crows |
2 |
2 |
14 |
4 |
6 |
30 |
8 |
6 |
54 |
9 |
6 |
60 |
Morningside
Goal Kickers: J. Piper 3, S. Lundie-Jenkins , C. Plowman , C. Macqueen , H. Jones , B. Keays
Darling Downs Crows
Goal Kickers: A. Green 3, T. Wainwright 3, L. Walters , S. Flannery , L. Dignan
Best Players: T. Wainwright, S. Huggins, S. Rockliff, L. Dignan, T. Hughes, S. Cooper
PHOTO: Tom Wainwright crashing through two Morningside players during the round 9 clash.
Last Modified on 02/07/2012 17:52