We kicked to the hinterland end, Rolfey, Nev and Dozer checked with the
bookies. We opened with Nicholls, Tinka, Ah Chee and Simmo in the engine room.
The Lions’ backs started
like a mean Terry Wallace machine against Mossy and Hales. To no avail. Tinka
started the day as he finished it, by being the outstanding hunter/gatherer on
the deck.
Unfortunately our mid zone players delivered the nut sloppily to the opposition’s
advantage at the top of the corridor, and with resultant turnovers, they were able to switch at leisure
or proceed down the hallway. We retained possession for most of the general
play but the turnovers were utilised very efficiently and the Lions scored 5
straight twin calicos, 2 from the 2-up flank and 3 from in front.
Quickie opened with some strong contested marks and with Rhino Dienjes
often finding Searly who was seemingly able to find link space at will, we were
able to defend successfully.
First stanza highlight was a scorching pass from Darin Stewart to
Cookie, who, surprised by the finesse and accuracy of the delivery, failed to
capitalise.
Mossy was lumbering with intent. He was unusually inaccurate snagging
two minor scores from chain assist plays involving O’Hare, Fife, Princess Rolfe
and JD.
The game was played mainly in our half and kept there by a strong
attacks on the ball by the likes of Cloughy and the Rolfes, and a dominant back
four in Dienjes, Searl, Stewart and Brewer. Unfortunately we continued to turn
the nut over at the half forward mark, Simmo looked out of sorts and
frustratingly late in the quarter, we were down 5 goals to zip.
We were to kick 13 of the next 17 goals with Cookie scoring more often
than Charlie Harper. Three minutes of scintillating football got us back in the
game and quite possibly set up the victory.
Mossy brought up the first after an
O’Hare handball to Squire Pat whose foot delivery found its mark. The second
came from the resultant centre ball up - Ryan Pantic gave off to the Squire,
who this time found Cookie, who kicked truly. Interesting to note the team
discipline in assuming set-up positions as Cookie went through his routine. The
third, and second to Cookie, was achieved through an ensuing centre square
infringement taken by Tom Nicholls, whose handball to Roland Ah Chee was
cheerfully accepted and followed by a bomb to the square where Cookie was
infringed and handed the nut by the adjudicator.
We turned the corner down 3 2 to 5 0 and Simmo being treated for a
shoulder dislocation/separation (He was to take no further part in the game).
Smithy’s message was clear and confident. Cut out the gifts in our
forward line, think and do make switch plays to running and spreading players,
and maintain the forward structure regardless of where the nut is.
An even second stanza ensued with both sides picking up 3 majors. Mossy
put through one of those Daicos, Milne type grubbing leg breaks after a right hand gather off the deck. Cookie
took a strong mark from a Ryan Pantic pass and kicked truly before charging up
field to relieve Tom Nicholls in the ruck with Quickie taking up the forward
slot. Cookie’s Naitanui impression nearly resulted in another but we had to
content ourselves with keeping up with the Lions as against breaking clear,
made more difficult by a couple of dubious infringements. Nathan Lyons, in his fiftieth, increased
our scoreboard pressure from a free kick, while JD, Fifey and SOD excelled in
keeping up a supply of opportunities.
Flanagan, from the GCFC, landed in the fray and displayed a bit of toe
and an accurate left foot. Lyons had another opportunity after a great run and
carry but maybe spent too much and his kick fell short on the bell.
At the long break rotations were reallocated, the quarter time message
was repeated, delivered confidently, and the players lifted as predicted by
Smithy. The QAFL website picks up the game story.
On a day
where the courage of brave young men from almost a century ago is celebrated
around the nation, emerging Broadbeach reflected the Anzac spirit to down the
Brisbane Lions reserves by 10 points at Merrimac Oval today.
It gives the Cats two wins from three games and plenty of momentum going
into next week’s local derby at Labrador.
“It was a very important win for us, we certainly didn’t want to drop
two at home,” said Cats coach Adrian Smith. “We turned the ball over a bit but
we were happy to get the win.”
In a strange opening, the Cats won every centre clearance of the opening term
and dominated around the packs, but were poor with their kicking into the
forward line and got hit on the rebound a number of times.
“The forward line is a work in progress,” Smith admitted. “There’s a bloke who
comes back next week, Korey Fulton, who helps us out with that. He attracts a
good defender, or defenders.”
While the Cats butchered a huge number of opportunities in the first half in
particular, young centre-half-forward and pinch-hitting ruckman Michael Cooke
gave them plenty of cause for optimism.
Cooke booted two goals in a minute late in the first term to get his side back
in the game and two more at the start of the last quarter to give his side
breathing space to finish with five for the day.
“With Darin Stewart playing at centre-half-back, we’ve put Cookey there
and he’s still learning the tricks of the trade,” Smith said. “He’s only a
young centre-half-forward and it’s not an easy position to play.
“He presented well and he’s got good hands, and he’ll only get better
with a bit more fitness in his legs.”
It speaks volumes for Broadbeach’s improvement and prospects for the season
that the Cats could lament what they did wrong as much as they did right.
“The first quarter told the tale, like last week to a degree against
Southport. Going forward we took the wrong options. We kicked it too deep and
then tried to pin-point it too much, and kicked it down their throats,” Smith
said.
“Our small forwards didn’t get themselves in the right areas today
but it’s Round 3, we can only improve.”
Smith said the message at each break was that the Cats kept getting their hands
on the ball and if they kept getting it forward, their fortunes would turn.
Skipper Dayne Zorko was unstoppable in the first half, winning numerous
clearances from the centre and around the packs, and running hard to provide
overlap and options for his teammates.
Lewis Moss again looked likely at times with some strong marks and 2.3
in the first half, before helping out in the ruck in the second.
A tense third quarter saw the Cats kick three goals in the first six
minutes, before an arm wrestle ensued. It took the Lions 24 minutes to score
their only goal of the term, and they had gone goalless for 38 minutes, with
the Cats defence showing plenty of heart. Josh Searl gave plenty of run while
Darin Stewart and Mitch Brewer constantly put their bodies on the line.
Zorko put the Cats in front for the first time with a sensational 50m
snap around his body as he was being slung away from goal at the 28-minute mark
of the third quarter.
The Cats then booted three in 10 minutes at the start of
the fourth quarter to open a 25-point lead, before the Lions booted three
unanswered in 10 minutes to get the small, but vocal crowd (read Rolfey, Nev and Dozer) on its feet. The
Lions had their opportunities, but Broadbeach’s defensive pressure proved too
good with a number of holding the ball decisions keeping the game safe.
Broadie 13 10 88 def Lions 12 6 78
Goals: Cooke 5, Moss
2, T Rolfe, Zorko, Lyons, Haley, Ryan and Nicholls 1 each.
Best: Zorko, Searl,
Stewart, Cooke, Lyons.
A few good’uns to press for selection this week, again the QAFL website takes
up the tale (but conveniently overlook Fults).
Broadbeach’s prospects
keep getting brighter with two quality players in line for selection for the
big local derby against Labrador at Cooke-Murphy Oval on Saturday.
Fresh from beating the Brisbane Lions reserves for the ninth time in their last
10 clashes at Merrimac Oval, the Cats face an impressive Tigers combination
that have also won two of three games this season.
Tall utility Jackson
Emblem played strongly in the reserves yesterday and will be a valuable option
if recalled, while former Bomber Jaran Pantic was also good in the reserves and
could play seniors.
The Cats will have to make
at least one forced change with impressive midfielder Simon Russell sustaining
an A/C joint problem that is likely to sideline him for up to three weeks.
Club stalwart and another
key position utility Ben Walters is due to play his first game for the season
in the reserves next week and will add further strength to the young Cats
line-up.
After being be-set by
injury in his first season as coach, Adrian Smith is excited by the emerging
young talent at his disposal in 2010.
“It’s such a young group and they’re still learning how to play with each
other,” he said.
Gold Coast FC players
Roland Ah Chee and Tom Nicholls have been solid contributors in recent weeks, adding
to the Cats’ firepower.
“The GC boys have been tremendous. In this situation you don’t know how they
are going to go socially or fit in, but they’ve been terrific,” Smith said.
Places in the top five
appear wide open at this stage of the season and the Cats could be a contender
– just don’t tell Smith and his charges.
“We certainly don’t talk
about the top five,” he said. “It’s such a new group that it’s one week at a
time and you respect every opposition that comes up.”
As for the Tigers, he has a healthy respect for the Jarrod Field-coached side.
“Labrador have got some good players, good experience and good run. It will be
a good local derby and it would be nice to get one up on the local opposition,”
Smith said.
Labrador will regain Fred
Sleeth from suspension, while Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt, Russell Alleway and James
Slattery should be back from personal commitments that saw them miss last week.
Last Modified on 19/11/2010 15:00