GALLANT Springwood gave flag fancies Maroochy-Northshore a serious battle before class prevailed in their clash at Lowe Oval on Saturday.
Maroochy eventually took the game by 40-points – by 20.11 (131) to 14.7 (91) – but the contest was much, much closer than that scoreline indicates.
The Pumas were only 10 points down at half-time, then momentarily hit the lead in the third term and fought back into things in the final term.
“We were still in it midway through the last quarter,” said Springwood coach Brad Pollock, who was full of praise for the effort put in, especially from some of his many younger brigade.
“It was a great effort from us.”
The Pumas certainly gave Maroochy coach Peter Somerville plenty to ponder.
“We knew they’d been in good form over the past month if you look at their results,” he said, conceding his charges were off the boil, especially early.
”We’ve had 10 wins in a row and set ourselves a standard. Footy’s a hard game and you can’t always produce your best week in and week out.
”We stick to our structures and on Saturday it took us a while to get going. To our credit we got our game going in the second half and kicked away.
“Good sides have to do that.”
Somerville was rapt in the performance of Tye Morrison at centre half-back, while class midfield act Ben Mathews and centre half-forward Peter Hay also worked hard to keep the Roos in front.
Half-back flanker Mark Thompson, ruckman Tiger Monk and on-ball skipper Shane Murrihy were the pick of the Puma brigade, although Pollock made special mention of 16-year-old Alex Sexton for his performance.
Playing what will probably be his last seniors match for the club, Sexton is headed for much bigger things, says Pollock.
“He’s a special kid,’ said Pollock of Sexton, who has attracted the interest of the Gold Coast Suns and looks certain to be playing up several divisions next year after he completes this season with under-18 duties.
Last Modified on 03/08/2010 00:13