Pictured-: (A big thankyou goes to Emma Pedler for these) (click on any photo to enlarge)
A link to Emma's full album to witness the match in full living colour, is in the match summary below-:
1. The victorious Central Eyre team in front of the scoreboard.
2. PA Matthews Medal winner Jared Sampson, voted best afield
3. Jake Bruce rises high in attempt to mark, Jake played an enormous match, high in the best
4. Damien Johnson (WCH) and Connor Dowden (CE) battle for possession
5. Dale Montgomerie runs the ball forward, a tireless worker for the Hawks
6. Jared Sampson in the thick of the action again
7. Joe Danis (WCH) pulls down a strong contested mark
8. Nick Schumann received a handpass from Damien Johnson
YouTube teasers from the Grand Final video are here, expert commentary Jeremy (Fridge) Wagner and Dion (Dinger) Trezona. A big thankyou to Derek Rogers for his taping and editorial work
a) Dogs go forward in the third quarter. Is this the start of a Ty McKenna onslaught? asks commentator Wagner, he doesnt have to wait long for an answer!
https://youtu.be/LQosAuwe-FQ
b) Centrals first goal, 1st quarter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLHw2-dMkXI&feature=youtu.be
c) Some good defensive work early in the game. This one the Hawks rush forward and look sharp
https://youtu.be/Zc_GsuGxVwQ
d) Dogs pressure turns the ball over
https://youtu.be/BHShNZ5MdP8
e) Joe Mc Innis snap on goal narrowly misses
https://youtu.be/2wHsrDNXSw0
f) Central's aerial defense again sees off the Hawks
https://youtu.be/aKkrsujy4Rs
g) Aiden Whitford mark up forward
https://youtu.be/A71lakijy7I
h) Jesse Stringer goal in the last quarter following some good team play
https://youtu.be/sWx0f2SamL4
Central Eyre have posted a rousing win against their recent Grand Final nemesis the West Coast Hawks in the Mid West Grand Final. Better conditions to play football in have not yet been invented, 21 degrees, a zephyr of a breeze to keep players cool, with a great crowd in anticipation of a big day.
West Coast Hawks entered the game undefeated, warm favourites with most pundits, but Centrals had earned their stripes, they pushed the skilful Hawks all the way in the 2nd semi, then continued their improving form in the Preliminary Final in disposing of the Bombers.
Early in the match, goals were traded somewhat, 1st quarter seven scoring shots for the Hawks to six by Central Eyre, hard football, tackling strong and space hard to find. Similarly the arm wrestle continued in the second term, both sides creating opportunities and winning their fair share of the ball. So much of the Bulldogs inaccuracy has been talked about this season, they found themselves ten points down at half time, inaccurate four goals nine on the board to the Hawks more productive six goals six. Wise spectators enjoying refreshments at the main break were suggesting that the ‘dogs again have been brave but had perhaps missed their opportunity, the fit agile Hawks on their home ground going to be a mountain to climb after half time. How often this is the case, and the Hawks for their part appeared to have weathered the Centrals attack well, the direction that the match would go is as scripted.
Unaware of the obituaries being settled on the outside, the ‘Dogs brains trust were conjuring up plans and moves that would break the game completely open. Ty Mc Kenna to full forward, Wade O Brien to the pocket, instructions for immediate play on at every stoppage, quick delivery, no stopping to catch the crafty Hawks defence man on man.
From the first bounce after half time, waves of Bulldogs harried their opponents causing turnovers, runners tearing past, slick handballs and then long kicks forward. In the vaunted “Premiership Quarter” Mc Kenna was their new target. On the lead, in the pack, on the boundary and crumbing, he rose to the occasion, kicking six goals for the quarter, a ten point deficit had become a thirty point advantage. Wade O Brien himself taking some crucial grabs, but the mid field / engine room was getting on top. Jared Sampson, Jake Bruce, Jesse Stringer in the thick of it and fantastic delivery forward. Nine goal quarter to three for the Hawks, WOW!, that wasn’t supposed to happen, against the strongest defence in the League!
The Hawks coach Paul Evans for the first time had faced a deficit going into the last quarter, this is a Grand Final, so pulling players back to stop the goal haemorrhage cant be an option, except for the Bulldogs! Evans instructed his players to play on and move the ball quickly, take risks in an effort to bridge the gap. To the Central’s credit, stopping their momentum was not going to be a consideration either, more scoreboard hurt would bury the Hawks, play the spaces, exploit the forward running Hawks on turn overs. And so it happened, fierce pressure caused normally pin point accurate Hawk machine to turn the ball over, which was quickly converted to Bulldog score. So successful were the Bulldogs, the last quarter saw them score seven goals to one in an onslaught not seen against the Hawks for decades. A sixteen goal to four second half that swept the Premiership Cup to the Bulldogs in an astounding performance! The Hawks for their part went down trying to win, but just found themselves swimming against a red, blue and white tidal wave!
For the winners, good players everywhere, Jared Sampson a well deserved P A Matthews Medal for the best afield, prime mover in the middle with targets being hit every time hand or foot, Jake Bruce, on the wing was fantastic, hard running and it was his kicks so often resulting in the next shot for goal, Jake Sampson, a great year and a great grand final, ball on a string and tough at the contest, Ty Mc Kenna, seven goals in the second half, maybe the match winner, certainly set the game alight with his third quarter, but was good all game, Keenan Bury, tough and gets plenty of it, Matt Sampson, 1st game back and was excellent, spent an enforced ten minutes back on the pine with the coaching staff in the first quarter, but was valuable for the rest of the match. Jesse Stringer, plenty of football and tackles that are simply not broken, Martin Grocke, another strong performance from the veteran, and plays anywhere, Wade O Brien, wonderful big man strength and contested mark. Three goals so ten for the two big forwards is a more than satisfactory result! Kane Sampson in defence, long spoils from behind as good as a kick, and keeping the dangerous Brent Bascombe to one goal, Clint Winter, Brett Mc Comb there all day and Lachlan Heath a pillar, either in the middle or across half back his ability to win the balls that are not his to win is fantastic! Could go through the entire team, no passengers for the Grand Final journey!
The Hawks have had a wonderful season, but fell at the final hurdle, always a class outfit and while they will feel this loss, know that it took a herculean effort to beat them. Cam Montgomerie, forward for much of the day provided a productive target, Dale Montgomerie, always around the packs and still running into the last in an effort to lift his side, Derick Freeman in defence, plenty of work to do, but he does it so well, Dillon Montgomerie, another good game as expected, tried and tried, Tyson Montgomerie, often drifting across centre setting up play, Aiden Whitford and Nathan Woolford picked up plenty of football, Dylan Kelsh in the ruck but maybe felt the lack of match practice when the pace of the game continued so late, Quite a few Hawks fell off the pace in the second half and when the tape is watched, will regret some missed tackles and short passes.
A big congratulations to Central Eyre, a premiership three years in the making, some hard decision at the selection table and concentrating on their game plan to the end, coach Wade O Brien maybe more relieved than elated. Given the Hawks success, much of the remaining crowd’s goodwill probably rested with the ‘Dogs. An entertaining and fast paced match, well catered and hosted by the West Coast Hawks!
Link to Emma Pedlers photos of the Grand Final-:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153668463823689.1073742016.620298688&type=1&l=5e1bacf68c
The wise spectators? most of whom still in the refreshment area!, well they always knew that the Bulldog's were capable, fit and up for the task???
Salute 2015 Mid West Premiers – Central Eyre.
Last Modified on 14/09/2015 12:09