Seniors
A rain softened deck and warm midgee laden humid air at Merrimac belied
the GCCC’s cancellation of junior matches. Apart from the swirling zephyr,
which favoured neither end, conditions were pretty good, and with some
trepidation we expected a victory. Unfortunately Aspley had another script. Not much point in an exhaustive
match report as the polls at each break had Aspley in front by a margin that would
satisfy both Gillard and Abbot.
The jumpers looked good with the AFL Grassroots Luncheon brand
displacing the Bark Company whose inputs over 2008-09 were vital to the club.
The new brand protects our investment and reflects our aspiration.
Skipper Matt Fife was replaced in the selected side by Nick O’Hare.
Fifey had his face rearranged at training on Thursday, and the busted nose,
while back in its usual place, forced his withdrawal. Fifey is a comparatively
quiet bloke off the deck, and not many would know that he already has 3 plates
in his head as a result of courage on the field, and it was circumspect to have
a rest until scans scheduled for this week cleared any damage to the eye
socket. They breed blood supporters pretty tough.
It was a strange first stanza. The atmosphere was down - bring back
Karmichael! Each time we scored Aspley came back to trump with their own. Early
on it was as if they needed to be convinced that they could respond, but as
time wore on they started to get more of the nut and at quarter time their
huddle smelt of a win.
· Fults tried a Didak early on when he sold the candy
one way, went the other but missed the snap. Copeland took Fults at one stage.
Big compliment to an old bloke, who by the way, made known his hurt at the loss
in the rooms and implored the group to examine their approach to the game, even
at this stage of the season.
· Tinka discovered a new KPI and smothered their
kick-ins. We took away a couple of goals in this fashion – one in the first and
one in the last. Tinka perseveres in exemplary fashion. He is sometimes at his
best with his back to the wall and working hard for his kicks on ball rather
than playing chess in the forward line. And R-Pants is a more than worthy
partner around the ground.
· And the Ox is happy now he gets to wear his number 15
in the afternoon fixture. He has improved over the journey and provides R-Pants
with plenty of the ball.
· Quickie was sensational and but for him the result
would have been in no doubt by half time when Aspley led by 42 points. His work
rate is phenomenal, sometimes our heart dips when he passes the nut off across
the face, but after a big grab and disposal he loves to break free and run past
and take a second dip at the ball around midfield.
· Luke Shreeve potted a nice one 45 out, directly into
the breeze at the time, and from an angle. He looks good for some more time at
GCFC.
· Hales did an Aker and dribbled one through in the
first stanza. For the rest of the day his hands proved to be fast, accurate and
creative – make of that what you will – his voice was commanding, and he played
a constructive role when we did have a crack in the last.
· Rhino’s kicking and linking skills out of the back end
were at times exceptional and his occasional foray to the midfield as a
designated kicker from the stoppages, resulted in deep penetration and scoring
opportunities.
· Simmo’s last quarter was a ripper and gave us a
glimmer. He scored the goal of the season, not because of the degree of
difficulty, but his determination. He took possession at a centre square
infringement, foot passed to Macca who handballed it off to Rhino for the
penetrating kick towards the erections, and lo and behold, Simmo was at the
base of the pack, won the loose ball and snapped truly.
But for the better part of the game we appeared demoralised and played
without spirit. They ran, we didn’t run with them. We were outnumbered at the
contest – on one occasion 4 to 1 in our square - and fumbled a lot because of
indecision and/or Aspley pressure. They were more physical than us. This is not to say the blokes were not
trying nor not up for the contest, but as they say, we just hadn’t come to
play. Captain Tinka and Smithy provided a roasting at half time and the
endeavour improved but it took until the last period and a plea from Smithy to
“…never take the foot off the pedal…” before we had a winning quarter scoring
6 4 to 2 2.
On the day there were 6 gift goals as a result of 50 metre or more penalties,
and should have been 7 but for a miss by one of our blokes. Five went to Aspley and one to us (after
the siren in the last quarter). In this instance it would be unfair to say
anything other than Aspley put in the better performance and deserved their
victory, but 5 gifts has the potential to detract from performance. They may
have been undisciplined acts by our blokes or it might be that management of
players could improve. Whatever, we have to suck it up and get on with it at
the moment and beyond, but there has been a lot said about 360 degree feedback
in football this past week or so. Are players from Mars and Adjudicators from
Venus? Maybe we could all sit back
and as our very own advisor suggested, take a viagra and have a good hard look
at ourselves.
We had another revelation on the day. We had hitherto thought that black poo was the result of a
fine shiraz but Chef Fankhauser’s effort on the burgers and caramelised onions
put paid to that conclusion.
A positive for the day was the news that Joel Wilkinson, captain of the
under 18 Scorpions and regular for Broadbeach seniors until injured, has been
invited to attend draft camp with apparently more than a few AFL clubs
expressing interest. Good luck Joel and well done Dozer.
Broadbeach 13.10-88 def. by
Aspley 17.13-115
Goal Kickers: G. Ryan 2, L.
Shreeve 2, L. Moss 2, N. O''Hare 2, S. Russell , K. Fulton , T. Haley , A.
Rolfe , A. McKenzie
Best Players: T. Haley, R. Dienjes,
R. Pantic, L. Shreeve, N. Quick, A. Oehlman
(We reckon O’Hare slippered 3 and Mossy got one)
Magoos
Broadbeach 10.7-67 def.
by Aspley 11.18-84
Goal Kickers: J. Simunek 2, M.
Heneker , W. Fenner
Best Players: D. Stewart, T. Clough,
J. Simunek, W. Fenner
A couple of under 16 kids (Andrew Boston and Tom Davidson) stepped up to
fill gaps next to under 18 players, and the brothers Grim, Keegan and Tom
Clough, continued the family tradition at the Cattery. Thank goodness Southport
did not invoke the father – son rule and grab those two (and Ryan who is still
in the sauna in Finland).
A few goals missing from the list – we know Swinger put in a cameo with
2 raking left footer twin calicos from the canteen flank in the last stanza.
Not certain of the others.
Had the crew played the first three in the way they did the last, we
have no doubt they would have won. It will happen over the next 3 weeks – hang
in.
PS Great to see Stewie make it through
Morningside next week. We can feel it in our waters.
Last Modified on 02/08/2010 11:10