Unfortunately we couldn't attend the game so we thought a different approach might be to share the thoughts of the QAFL website, a member of the Broadie coaching staff, Team manager, some good judges who did attend and one who didn't, and a crystal ball report written Friday night.
Crystal Ball
Jesse Derrick will lay 8 tackles, effect 5 smothers and bomb one prodigious goal. Always a leader JD is a class performer and is at a stage in his career where he will take a game on by the scruff, and to think Carlton let him go! Cookie would take at least 3 contested marks and kick 3 from around the 50m mark bypassing Fults who would have 2 - 3 Hornets best defenders hanging off him, thus allowing Hales to bob up with a few gooduns. Fifey would pick up at least one sausage roll while prowling the packs. Indeed the rotations involving Fifey, JD, Simmo, Ryan Pantic, Tinka, Angel Rolfe and SOD would not only prove mid field controllers in the opener but will become the best midfield in the comp with SOD again an effective serial pest. Darin Stewart would teach QANTAS a thing or two on staying up in the air, while his back ups, Nathan Quick and Josh Searl would be tighter than the air conveyance bladder. Angel Rolfe will gather a gazillion possessions along the boundaries and notch at least one Daicos. With Tinka plenipotent, and a disciplined approach to set ups, we predict a 6 - 7 goal victory after a tightish first half. No reports but a somewhat technical performance by the adjudicators.
QAFL Report
Broadbeach produced the
perfect mix of passion and skill to stun Aspley in the QAFL season-opener at
Graham Road today.
The Cats, rated big
outsiders marginally in front of the Western Magpies in the pre-season markets,
dominated the midfield to set up a 19.8 (122) to 12.11 (83) triumph.
It was a sweet trip home
down the M1 for second-year coach Adrian Smith, whose club was decimated by
injury in 2009.
“One game doesn’t make a
season but it was great to start with a win,” Smith admitted.
“A few of our boys have
played 50 games now and we had a really good spread of goalkickers today, which
I always believe is what you need to do.”
In fact, the Cats spread
the goals among 11 different players, with second-year Tasmanian recruit Taylor
Haley heading the list with four.
Veteran forward Korey
Fulton contributed two goals and his sheer presence – he retired with two games
remaining last season before reconsidering over summer – was an asset.
“You always know that ‘Fults’
will attract the good defenders and other blokes were able to provide the right
options,” Smith said.
After an evenly-balanced
opening term, the Cats lay down the gauntlet with five goals to two in each of
the middle quarters, before finishing off with six to four in the last.
Their conversion rate –
the registered 15.4 after quarter-time – was pivotal in capping the good work
of the midfield and defence.
“You have to got kick
goals if you want to win games,” Smith said.
Broadbeach were
best-served by Jesse Derrick, Scott Russell, Josh Searl and Dayne Zorko around
the ball, while former Gold Coast FC TAC Cup player Taylor Rolfe wasn’t far
behind.
“His hardness at the ball
was just terrific,” Smith said of Rolfe.
A last-minute clearance
from Redland for Ryan Pantic proved a godsend for the Cats, with the ex-Bomber
contributing three goals and providing plenty of spark despite not having been
able to train with his new teammates.
Darin Stewart and Nathan
Quick were strong in the two key defensive posts while Michael Cooke provided a
target playing in attack.
Aspley’s strong pre-season
form, with some tipping them to be a ‘smokey’ for the top five, amounted to
nothing as they were well beating at the clearances.
Ruckman Dylan Reid won the
majority of the tap-outs but the ground level players did not capitalize.
Impressive youngster James
Nelis tried his hardest for the home side, while classy key position player
Sean Tighe booted two goals and looked dangerous for most of the day.
Good judges (All comments reported verbatim at the PSM)
"Bloody fantastic"
"Urgency and intensity up on season 2009 - congratulations to coaches who have also made an obvious impression on the players at the Day Camp afternoon tactical sessions - there were audible reminders from players and the leadership group in particular, when the side needed to be aware of set-ups. Consequently we were rarely beaten for possession at stoppages and were well placed to take advantage at the end of a set shot or attempted transition plays."
"The rotating mid field were all conquering."
"Both Searly and Ryan Pantic proved to be rare heads - one a great pick up and the other clearly more comfortable at this level this season."
"Scorpion players Wilkinson and MacKenzie both looked at home in a winning side, unfortunately we will lack them, next week (Scorpion duties), Fults (time off for being chronologically challenged), and possibly Lyons and Tinka to suspension. Both have been referred to the video referee."
"Mitch Brewer and Andy Smith both showed a liking for the physical contest and imparted great confidence to the rotating mid fielders."
"David Glossop was a revelation given he took up footy in 2009 - the tennis playing barista was never far from where he should be and Cookie provided him good relief when needed."
"Maybe some Victorian recruits for the Hornets could not adapt to the warm conditions?"
Mick Malthouse
"##4%# &*(^## +=@!##! r$$%#)*#!"
Assistant Coach
Broadbeach travelled to Aspley on Sat and were greeted by hot and humid
conditions which even had the coaching staff sweating up before the start
of play. Due to the conditions Smithy rotated players heavily off the bench to
keep them fresh so as they could run the game right out which I must say they
did superbly. The first quarter started well with Tinka winning the ball out of
the middle at will and pumping it forward and before we knew it we had 2g 3p on
the board. This could have been 4g 1p as we did miss some gettable shots. We
were setting the midfield zone up quite well and were on top. Then Aspley were
able to run and carry and kick the ball over our zone and run forward to kick
some easy goals which allowed them to hit the front and get back into the game. It took us
a while to adjust but the players did and to their credit kicked the last goal
of the quarter to just trail at 1/4 time. Credit with Stewy a rock down
back and Searly providing plenty of rebounding options out of our back half.
The start of the second
quarter saw the match see saw as both sides traded goals and the cats commit a
couple of undisciplined acts which could come back to bite us next week. Then
about the 18min mark with Aspley visibly tiring we took control of the game and
banged on 3 goals to end the 1/4. So great was our intensity Aspley
continually turned the ball over, and if not for poor delivery into our
forward line and kicking to Fults when he was heavily outnumbered, we would have
put the game beyond doubt in this quarter.
Smithy addressed this
at half time and our delivery and decision making into our forward half
improved out of sight with it really clicking at the start of the last
1/4. We started to really dominate the game in the third with the back six
starting to take control and our midfield running hard, the forwards were
starting to get into the groove as well. If I have to be critical there
were probably a few skill errors that cost us but other than that our attack on
the ball and the man was outstanding. We took a 4 goal lead into the last
change and Aspley going for broke threw all their big guns forward.
They managed to kick the
first goal of the last 1/4 which brought a roar from the crowd who could
sense a come from behind victory. That lasted all of thirty seconds as we
goaled in that time from the restart and then again to put the game beyond
doubt. Smithy bought some players off the ground for a well earned rest and Aspley kicked
some goals in junk time more because we got a bit fatigued and went away
from our structure than anything else. Hales was great in the last 1/4 and the
forwards all led well which created space for Searly, Macca and Cloughy to run
into and goal. All up it was a pleasing effort with Smithy coaching really well
and everybody contributing to the win. Let’s remember one win doesn't make a
season and we need to keep working hard at training so we can improve each week
and win enough games to play in the finals. GO CATS
Team Manager
First quarter was a cracking start to the season with both
teams running hard and showing good skills. Tinker opened the scoring for the Cats and when Fults goaled
a few minutes later the boys went two up early. Aspley fought hard towards the end of the quarter and led by
3 points at the first break.
The second was
much the same with the young backline starting to apply pressure and take
control of the game. Ryan Pantic
(Pants) kicked his first for his new club (one of three for the day) and the
lead was back with the Cats. The
midfield brigade of Russell, Derrick, Rolfe and Zorko were playing all over
their Aspley opponents making line breaks regularly. New lad Glenn Ryan was showing plenty of skill and tenacity
with his in and under play. Ryan
Clough kicked a good goal as half time approached with Taylor Hayley bagging
his first of 4 also. At half time
the Cats held a 12 point lead and loomed dangerous.
The third quarter started as the second finished. More solid defence and forward pressure
resulting in goals to Fults, Pants. A five goal to two term put the game firmly in the cats grip with only
one quarter left to play. 28 point
lead and a passionate address left every player and supporter in no doubt who
was going to take the chocolates.
The final term see sawed on the scoreboard a bit but the Cats
had clearly done enough to win the game. More goals to Squiz, Cloughy and Pants, a couple of big marks up front
to big Dave Glossop and a goal from the back pocket by Searly capped off a
memorable day. In the end the Cats
far too strong and the Aspley crowd very very quiet. Not a bad player for the Cats. The only dampner for the day was the reports of Zorko and
Lyons. Both incidents were very
minor and one hopes the match review will see the reports thrown out. Well done to all those involved. A splendid way to kick off the season.
Summary
Quarter by quarter scores indicate a close first half with Broadie leading by 2 twin calicos at the long break then adding eleven to six majors in the second half to run away by 7 goals 7 points.
Final scores: Aspley 12 11 83 def by Broadbeach 19 18 122
Goals: Haley 4, R Pantic 3, R Clough 2, Fulton 2, T Rolfe 2, and one each to Searl, MacKenzie, Cook, Russell, Zorko and Derrick.
Best: Derrick, Haley, Stewart, Russell, Searl and Zorko
Reports: Lyons No Charge; Darin Stewart Cited on Video. No Charge; Dayne Zorko Guilty of Charge. Intentional, Moderate Contact, Behind the play. 225 Points. With early guilty plea 112.5 points which equated to 1 game suspension and 12.5 carryover. Took the week.
The Crystal Ball was just about on the money.
Magoos
Report not yet through. Fair to say the Magoos were towelled up by what appears to be a characteristic of the Aspley Football Club: A very competitive reserves team. Our blokes did hang in and in the last stanza, matched the Hornets on the scoreboard and in general play - indeed if we had been a little straighter at the uprights, who knows? Jackson Rolfe continued the Rolfe tradition at Broadbeach - they must have received Andrea's genes - and went to his happy place as our best. Ryan Bowers was a stand out with 5 big ones. Unfortunately Lofty Lachy Treacher went down with an opponent on top early on and appears to have some severly bruised ribs at the least. Travis Johnson and Fitzy found plenty of the nut in traffic, Dick was hard at it and Tom Reid (Nth Hobart) was a standout new player.
Final Score: Aspley 24 8 152 def Broadie 13 12 90
Goals: Bower 5, Reid 3, Dick 2, Robertson, T Clough and J Rolfe one each.
Best: J Rolfe, Johnson, Fitzgerald, Dick, Reid and Bower.
Last Modified on 19/11/2010 14:50