Ben
Rowles
Bambill
have advanced through to the 2009 Millewa Football League Grand Final with a
thrilling win over arch rival Gol Gol at Carramar Drive on Sunday.
The Saints held off a late charge from the
Hawks, who failed to kick a goal in the second and third quarters before
storming home with the breeze to almost pinch a famous victory.
However the result could have been much
different for the Saints, who let Gol Gol burst out of the blocks and kick the
first five goals of the game despite losing the toss and kicking into the wind.
It wasn’t until the 15 minute mark that Bambill kicked their first goal,
courtesy of a trademark long bomb from Andrew Ross.
The
Saints looked flat, and the switched on Hawks were happy to swoop on any
opportunities presented to them. Jason Bruhn was looking very dangerous at
centre half forward, and the Gol Gol midfielders were having a field day with
Tim Robinson delivering them the ball frequently out of the centre.
However,
two late goals to Luke Hubble and Brett Haase saw Bambill start to claw
themselves back into the contest, but the Hawks would have been content to hold
a 10-point lead at the first change with the breeze behind them in the second
quarter.
The
second term saw Bambill play a more direct style of football and lift their
intensity, with the Saints increased tackling pressure resulting in two early
quarter goals to Brett Haase and Denny Fox.
Fox
in particular was playing a major role in turning around Bambill’s fortunes,
with his presence around the ground and in the ruck proving to be telling.
Gol
Gol on the other hand were suddenly lifeless and lacked a key target across
half forward, and with Bruhn being shut out of the game and the likes of Kaleb
Sherwell and Dean Umback having uncharacteristic quiet days, the Hawks found
themselves 13-points down at half time.
The
Saints continued to roll on in the third term; extending their goal streak to
10 unanswered goals by three quarter time. Further compounding Gol Gol’s woes
was the injury to Umback, who limped off late in the third term with a leg
injury. Bambill looked home and hosed with a 33-point lead by the final change,
but Gol Gol’s fighting spirit came to the fore.
Out
of nowhere, goals to Hayden Allen, Stewart Stephens and Dean McDowall saw the
Hawks bring the margin back to 13-points with plenty of time still to play.
Haase steadied for the Saints with a goal at the 10 minute of the term, but
with the breeze at their back Gol Gol had all the momentum.
By
the 20 minute mark the Hawks had equalised, and another goal to McDowall at the
23 minute mark put Gol Gol in the lead.
But
just as it looked like the Hawks would steal victory from the jaws of defeat,
Bambill lifted another notch. Haase’s fifth goal for the day drew the Saints
level at the 23 minute mark, and a free kick to Ross in the goal square saw him
put Bambill in front with 2 minutes to play.
The
Hawks tried desperately to pull themselves out of the fire, just like they had
12 months earlier on this stage. But unlike last year’s semi final clash
between these two sides, Bambill held their nerve and claimed a 7-point win.
The
relief on the Bambill players and supporters’ faces was evident from all to
see, and everyone who was at the ground would have been impressed at the
standard and the quality of the thrilling football being played by these two
excellent sides.
In a
day where key forwards struggled to have a big impact, Haase’s 5 goals and two
last quarter goals proved pivotal in the end. Fox was clearly best on ground,
with his marking ability around the ground too powerful for his Gol Gol
opponents to handle. Ross was the catalyst for Bambill’s revival in the second
term and was a key contributor all day, while Chris McDonald’s job on the
dangerous Sherwell was nothing short of outstanding; keeping the Gol Gol sharp
shooter goalless all day.
Despite
the disappointment of going down in such a close result and struggling for much
of the game, there are still some positives for the Hawks. Gol Gol’s three gun
forwards in Bruhn, Umback and Sherwell kicked two goals between them, yet they
still found enough avenues to goal to get within 7-points of victory. Dion
Collins rebounded fantastically off half back all day for the Hawks, while
McDowall’s final quarter set the example and gave his team mates the spark they
desperately needed.
As a
result of their win, Bambill have the week off to rest any injuries or niggles
they may have before Grand Final, while Gol Gol must back up next Sunday and
take on Euston, who easily accounted for Meringur in the earlier game.
Meringur
entered the First Semi Final confident of rectifying last year’s result, when
the Bombers demoralised the Roos and eliminated them from the first week of the
finals without a whimper.
Meringur
won the toss and elected to kick with the wind in the first quarter, with the
breeze having a much bigger factor on this game than in the latter encounter.
The
pressure was on early with plenty of fumbles from both sides, but it was the
Bombers who drew first blood 5 minutes in courtesy of a goal from coach Joseph
Denaro.
The
game started to settle down into a free flowing encounter after the initial
early nerves, and this allowed Meringur to use the wind to their advantage. Key
utility Colin Keatch was looking dangerous for the Roos, and Jason Kirby’s pace
across half forward was proving difficult to contain for the Bombers.
Euston
were struggling to penetrate the forward 50 as they kicked into the breeze, and
this allowed Meringur to lead by as much as 20-points late in the term. But
three late goals to the Bombers saw them trail by only 1-point at the first
change.
The
second term saw Euston take control and stamp their authority on the game. The
Roos conceded the first three goals of the term and looked stunned as the
Bombers ignited themselves to their exciting best. Felix Liparota was gathering
possessions at will across half forward for Euston, and with the likes of
Denaro and Sean Smith having a big impact on the game, Meringur were in danger
of being blown out of the water. With most of the Roos’ key players being kept
quiet, the Bombers enjoyed a six goal to one second quarter to lead by
37-points at half time.
Euston
continued on their merry way after the main break, with their tackling
intensity and pressure on the ball carrier being a highlight. One negative for
the Bombers was the injury to Liparota, who left the field midway through the
term with a shoulder injury. His injury coincided with a good period of play
for Meringur, with coach Garry Hammence kicking two late goals to keep the Roos
within striking distance at three quarter time.
Meringur
needed quick goals in the last quarter to give themselves any hope of keeping
their season alive, but when Shannon Neyland got the all important first goal
of the final quarter, the Roos’ chances were all but gone. A four goal to nil
final term saw Euston run away with a convincing 50-point win, and claim a spot
in the Preliminary Final.
Denaro
lead his team superbly all day in a trademark workman-like performance, while
Neyland was fantastic up forward with five majors for the afternoon.
As
for Meringur, their season ends on a slightly disappointing note, but they are
sure to be up amongst the finals contenders if they can keep this group
together next season.
Martin
Patten held down his defensive post well all day for the Roos, while Hammence’s
three goals and penetrating kicking gave his side quality drive all day.
Last Modified on 08/09/2009 05:12