#DontGoQuietly
Coolaroo have eliminated the Goondiwindi Hawks from the 2014 premiership race, with the reigning premiers earning a week off after their 17.11 (113) to 12.5 (77) victory.
However, the navy Roo's were made to work for the win with the Hawks coming out all guns blazing in a blistering opening stanza. Goondiwindi showed their intentions were clear after their 4 goal to 2 opening quarter.
It took only 45-seconds for Holman Medal fancy Jeremy Leahy to kick the first goal of the elimination final. After a second goal to the Hawks through Brendan Jardine, young-gun Corey Bellert kicked the Roos first major of the day at the 17minute mark of the first quarter.
Goondiwindi kicked another two goals immediately after the Bellert goal through Adam Scoble and Matt Brown. 2007 Holman Medallist Phil Dreise kicked an important late first quarter goal to settle the Roos ship and cut the Hawks lead back to 10-points at the first break.
The Roos were caught napping in the first term and the Hawks pounced, however, whatever Coach Johnson said to his chargers at quarter-time sparked the premiers.
Coolaroo kicked 6 goals to 2 in the second quarter with Barry Janetzki and Dreise chipping in with 2 each to give the Roos a handy lead of 15-points at the long break.
It was another impressive display by the premiers in the third quarter, with the Roos piling on another 5 goals with the Hawks only managing 2 for the term. Most notable up forward for the Roos was the Division 1 leading goal-kicker Adam Green who bagged a double in the premiership quarter.
Down by 35-points going into the final term, it seemed a mammoth task for the sneaky Hawks.
To Goondiwindi's credit they went goal for goal with the Roo's with both sides registering 4-majors each in an entertaining term. Adam Scoble answered his 'bar critics' bagging three goals to finish his season on a high. However the damage was done earlier and the Roo's sent a message to the rest of the competition, that they are firing at the right time of the year.
SANFL recruit Michael Artis was the Roos best with the silky midfielder dominating all day. For the defeated Hawks young ruckman Matthew Brown was a standout as was Goondiwindi captain Jeremy Leahy.
Coolaroo coach Shaun Johnson spoke to the Chronicle and insists it will be business as usual for his side after earning a week off to prepare for the AFL Darling Downs preliminary final. Johnson said he expected the Hawks to come out firing so it was pleasing to see the Roos hold their composure after a slow start.
"Goondiwindi came out playing hard at the contested footy. They're desire was really up there in the first quarter," he said.
"It was good for us to come back at them in the second half and take control."
Johnson said he had no preference as to who Coolaroo will meet in the preliminary final, planning to stick with the same training structures which have been successful for the team throughout the season.
"We'll just stick to usual training structure ... it's business as usual," he said.
"I don't think it'll change too much (who we play). We've seen both teams through the year."
Goal Kickers: B. Janetzki 4, A. Green 3, P. Dreise 3, R. Griggs 2, C. Bellert , M. Artis , T. Rudolph , L. Mason , M. Howarth
Best Players: M. Artis , A. Horsfall , T. Rudolph , F. Ramo
GOONDIWINDI
Goal Kickers: J. Leahy 4, A. Scoble 4, D. O''Toole , B. Jardine , Z. Naismith , M. Brown
Best Players: , M. Brown , J. Leahy , C. Thomas , D. O''Toole
PHOTO by: Kim Thomas
Last Modified on 05/09/2014 09:41
