Both teams were fired up for today's preliminary final game with Grand Final Places on the line.
After lackluster warm-ups by both sides in the light drizzle, both sides announced their lineups with no real surprises. In the first quarter Newtown were hot and Balmain were not! The Breakaways scored in less than a minute with Carly Reasbeck finishing a nice run down on the right hand pocket. Newtown 1 goal. The Breakaways seemed to adjust to the slippery conditions better than the Dockers as this was evidenced as Verna Iles kicked two goals from near the top of the square. Newtown 3 goals. Full forward Rebecca Burridge had her kicking boots for the day to kick a goal from 30m out in the Right Hand pocket. Newtown 4 goals. The Dockers had their share of the ball but weren’t clean in their transition play. However in the last five minutes of the quarter the Dockers kicked their first goal through Belinda Pride with a right foot snap. Dockers 1 goal.
1st Quarter Newtown 4.1.25 – Balmain 1.2.8
In the 2nd quarter, Balmain came back with a rush with Natalie Morgan taking a contested mark 35m out from the goals on the Right Hand side before converting for the first goal. Kate Fitzsimons was awarded a free in the goalsquare in a marking contest and goaled truly to give the Dockers some momentum. Dockers 3 goals. However the resilient Breakaways came back with some good passages of forward play and champagne football with Bec Burridge converting the next three goals. Newtown 7 goals
In a see-saw contest, veteran Christina Matthews converted a goal from a downfield free to kick from 25m out and then Karla Spilarewicz kicked an acute goal from the right hand pocket about 5 meters out. Dockers 5 goals. The Breakaways then kicked two more goals through Bec Burridge with one about 5 seconds before the quarter ended. Newtown 9 goals. It was an amazing match at half time with the scores an accurate Newtown 9.1.55 to Balmain 5.4.34 and Bec Burridge with kicking 6 goals in a half of football.
Half Time Newtown 9.1.55 - Balmain 5.4.34
In the third quarter the Dockers started brightly with Natalie Morgan converting from close range after taking a marvelous contested mark and then Belinda Pride kicking on the run from about 20 m out Dockers 7 goals. Showing that no quarter was to be asked or given, half back flank Maggie Jenkins of the Dockers was knocked out in a body clash and had to be assisted from the field. Verna Iles then converted a goal after full back Olivia Hall was stripped of the ball. Newtown 10 goals. Alison Parkin of the Dockers who I thought was Best on Ground, swooped to intercept a Newtown pass that would have resulted in a certain Breakaways goal inspired the Dockers to superhuman efforts on this fine day. Like the 1989 AFL Grand Final Clash between Hawthorn and Geelong, both sides reserves were used to the fullest as players came off the field looking utterly exhausted or bloodied. Carly Reasbeck dribbled the ball nicely between the sticks to extend the lead Newtown 11 goals. The Dockers hit back with Natalie Morgan converting close to goal and Belinda Pride took a beautiful mark in front of a contested pack drifting from the left hand side however her efforts were rewarded with a behind. Dockers 8 goals.
Third Quarter Newtown 11.2.68 to Balmain 8.6.54
In the final quarter things didn’t go so well for Newtown with Laura Holdsworth being red-carded for forceful contact to the head of a Dockers player which meant that the Breakaways would have to play a player short for the rest of the game. Could Balmain exploit the situation or the Breakaways find some reserve of energy to push it over the line? Kate Fitzsimons scored from the left hand pocket to rachet up the tension. Dockers 9 goals. Karla Spilarewicz crumbed the ball from a contested mark, and with a desperate kick launched the ball high in the air. A hundred pairs of eyes looked at the Sherrin as it just crossed over the line before bouncing back into play. Dockers 10 goals. Another forward thrust by the Dockers meant that Clare Beech was about 35m out, could she achieve every player’s dream of drilling the ball through the posts and Dockers to lead into the game??? The ball skews off her boot to the right but there is Christina Matthews in the right pocket to take the grabs to the delight of the Dockers and the groans of the Breakaways. From 5m out, there is huge pressure on her but she steadies the nerves to drive it home truly for the Dockers to lead by 3 points which is the first time all day with 90 seconds to go. Dockers 11 goals.
With less than a minute to go once the ball is restarted desperate play by both sides occurs. Newtown kick the ball forward and the siren sounds twice to the screams of the Dockers fans and players who run onto the pitch. But wait!
The umpire pays a mark by the Breakaways to the confusion of the crowd. The Breakaways are 60m out and only Malcolm Blight’s torpedo would win the game, so the Krystle Thompson (Breakaways player) lines up for a kick and as she launches the kick a whistle sounds!! Oh no – a Docker player has intruded into the mark which results in a 50m penalty to the anguish of the Dockers. Krystle kicks the most important goal of her career from 10m in front to the delight of the Newtown players who now invade the pitch whilst the anguish, frustration and anger is palpable amongst the Dockers and their supporters. Newtown 12 goals
As per AFL Rules, the game is officially finished not when the siren sounds but when the umpire raises their arms in the air to signify that they have heard the siren.
End score Newtown 12.3.75 to Balmain 11.6.72.
Goals: Newtown Burridge 6, Iles 3, Reasbeck 2, Thompson 1. Balmain: Morgan 3, Spilarewicz 2, Fitsimons 2, Pride 2, Matthews 2.
I think Newtown would acknowledge it was the great escape as they proceed to their 7th
grand final in eight seasons. For Balmain their dignity in defeat is to be commended.
Dockers Season Review
Whilst the Dockers were very unlucky not to be in the Grand Final, the Dockers can look on the 2009 season with some measurement of pride managing to be in the finals for the third consecutive season and giving it a redhot go against both grand finalist teams. Losing onballers Kylie Goggins and Natasha Devlin were ably replaced by a new generation of Dockers such as Jackie Buckthought and Lisa McGinnigle. Belinda Pride deserved her share of the Golden Boot award although defences at all teams improved substantially across the board compared to last year. The transition of Coaches from Darren Morrow to Tracey Kick proceeded without hiccups as the Dockers had an uninterrupted run of success in the second half of the season. We look forward to seeing the Dockers in premiership contention in 2010. Let's hope last year's grand final agony and being pipped at the post in the preliminary final will build resilience amongst the Dockers to go three steps further.
Last Modified on 03/09/2009 20:20