The Darling Downs Crows have stormed into the 2010 U18 Division 2 North Grand Final with a gritty 21 point win over Nambour at Coorparoo yesterday.
The Crows set up their victory with a blistering first quarter running in 4 goals whilst keeping Nambour to only 2 behinds and at the first break the Crows had opened up a handy 4 goal lead.
The Blues however adjusted to the increased pressure that the Crows had put on them in the opening term and started the second quarter the stronger with 2 quick goals. The momentum of the game has started to shift and the Crows coaching staff immediately sent a message out to their senior players to gain the ascendancy back but it was 16 year old rookie sensation Sam Lundie Jenkins who stood up at a pivotal stage of the game showing great composure as he brushed off 2 tackles then regained his balance and slotted a major from 30 out to give the Crows the steadier they were looking for. The remainder of the term was goal for goal and at the main break the Crows held on to their 4 goal advantage.
The third quarter was a real arm wrestle as the Blues once again fought their way back into the contest before Jeremy Crows snapped truly from 40 metres out and then Matt Waltisbuhl kicked a great 45 metre goal from the boundary line to open up a 5 goal advantage. 2 Nambour goals in the last minute of the quarter however spun the game on its head and while the Crows still held a 3 goal advantage at the third break it was now anyone’s game to win.
The last quarter started with the Blues kicking 2 goals in quick succession and suddenly the margin was back to 9 points, the closest it had been since the 5 minute mark of the opening quarter. With 15 minutes to go in the final term and the momentum once again shifting away from them the Crows would now be tested on their mental and physical toughness. League Best and Fairest Josh Sugden, who had been tagged all day to little effect, asserted his dominance on the game with 3 last quarter clearances and a last quarter goal which came in typical Sugden fashion as he bullocked his way through 3 opponents before steadying to float home a great team lifting goal.
Waltisbuhl then followed up with another inspirational goal, his 5th for the game and once Beadman snapped a beauty from the sideline the game was over. The Crows ran out 21 point victors with an inaccurate 12.19.91 to Nambour 10.10 70 score line.
For the Crows all players performed extremely well and played their part in what was a great team effort but standouts were Josh Sugden who was head and shoulders above the pack all day with his hardness at the ball and centre clearance domination. 16 year old Matt Waltisbuhl was brilliant at Centre Half Forward booting 5 goals while James Adams as usual was the impenetrable brick wall at Full Back.
The win sets up a mouth watering clash this Sunday with minor premiers Alexandra Hills who have the luxury of a weeks break after comprehensively beating Nambour in last weeks major semi final. The Crows have a 2/1 record against the Bombers and are the only team in the competition to beat them twice this season.
The Division 2 North Grand Final will be played at Zillmere (O’Callaghan Park, Zillmere Road) at 2pm this Sunday. Get along and support our young men as they strive to become the first Darling Downs team in history to win a Brisbane based competition. A supporters bus is being organised by the Crows support staff for more information regarding this please call Jeff Neumann on 0420 310 501.
Released by: Keith Webb
Position: Development Manager
AFL Queensland: Darling Downs
Email: kwebb@aflq.com.au
Last Modified on 10/03/2010 14:54
