It was a sizzling performance by key defender Will Grundon that has led the young Crows to a 9.11 (65) to 5.2 (32) victory over powerhouse SEQ club the Morningside Panthers at Rockville Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Grundon surely would of received full votes in his dominate display across half-back, repelling a number of attacking raids by the Panthers midfield brigade. Grundon along with Copland, Easton, Neumann and Rissman led the way all afternoon as the Crows recorded their second win of 2012 over a powerhouse SEQ team.
Earlier in the season the Crows defeated the Sherwood Magpies by 5points at Rockville and travelling teams are finding it difficult to play at the “Crow’s Nest”. The Darling Downs are making it hard for visiting teams to get settled.
It was an inspiring first quarter for the Crows who kept Morningside to zero on the score board, as the Crows took a very handy 20-point lead into the first change. This was an even more impressive feat as the Crows had kept not only Morningside scoreless but also scored 3.2 going into the very strong Rockville breeze.
As great teams always do Morningside bounced back with the first goal of the second quarter but from here it was all Crows possession. Darling Downs were erratic in-front of the big sticks in the second term, with a very favourable breeze to the car-park end. Scoring 2.3 plus numerous number of shots also spraying across the goal face and ending out of bounds on the full. The Crows stretched their quarter-time of 20 out to 29points.
An inspired Morningside emerged from the visitor’s change-rooms in the third quarter, kicking two quick goals to cut the margin back to 17points. The Crows were caught napping in the opening minutes, but it was an inspirational play that included Grundon, Copland and (Ben) Southey that saw the Crows put the margin back out to 25points at the final change.
Both sides went goal for goal in the final term but it was the Crows who were able to extend the margin even further kicking 3 fourth quarter goals to the Panthers 2. Darling Downs ran out 9.11 (65) to 5.2 (32) victors.
Darling Downs will now face Redland Bombers at Rockville Oval next Sunday; the Bombers are coming off an impressive 7goal win over Sherwood.
The Under18 Crows are also back in action, as they travel down the Warrego to go head to head in a top of the table clash with Yeronga South Brisbane at Leyshon Park on Sunday.
Last Modified on 16/07/2012 14:44
