MATCH REPORT – Rd17 2010
EAGLES LOSE BUT LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
By Peter Booth
SENIORS FINAL SCORE
BLACKBURN 17-11-113 def VERMONT 11-16-82
It was a cold windy day at Vermont as we celebrated Mark Cullen’s 250th game. The luncheon before the game was one of the best with Tom Cullen being interviewed, Barney Davidson provided a magnificent dvd of John Kennedy – during it’s screening you couldn’t hear a pin drop then I interviewed the great man for 35 minutes and again the audience which included the under 18’s and their coaches were spellbound. Just one change to the senior side with Debney replacing Henderson who was injured and Rushton returned from injury in the reserves. East Burwood did us a huge favour when they beat Croydon by 5 points to allow us to remain in the 5. We now need to beat South Croydon next week to retain our spot.
We kicked with a 5 goal breeze in the first quarter but it was Blackburn who kicked the first 2 goals. It took 14 minutes before we goaled through Greig from a tight angle. We started to get on top with goals from Della’Quilla, Mendes and Henley via Debney. The Burners scored a late one as we led by 7 points at ¼ time 4-4 to 3-3. The lead was not satisfactory.
The Burners kicked the quickest goal of the year after the break 10 seconds after the bounce. They quickly added a second as Nummy made a second kick in mistake. We had a good few minutes upwind when Froud goaled from a tight angle via Henley then Mullett goaled. Our run was short lived as Blackburn piled on another 4 goals. They were killing us 7-1 at the centre breaks. Spriggs goaled after the siren as we trailed at ½ time by 15 points 9-8 to 7-5. Better players for the half were Henley, Millhouse, Spriggs, Ross and Mullett.
We needed a huge 3rd quarter but it never eventuated. The Burners again kicked a quick goal upwind. Henley goaled after a strong tackle then Mullett kicked a good captain’s goal from a long way out but the Burners kicked 2 more to win the quarter. At ¾ time they led 12-10 to 9-9 as the writing was on the wall. All ears turned to the East Burwood – Croydon game as the Rams led in an upset.
Greig kicked the opening goal of the last quarter but Blackburn answered with the next 4 as Barlow was dominant in his last ever game. Froud kicked our last goal as Blackburn scored a deserved 31 point win. Better players for the half were Henley, Mullett, Ross and Millhouse.
Goalkickers – Greig 2, Mullett 2, Henley 2, Froud 2 with singles to Della’Quilla, Mendes and Spriggs.
Best Players – Henley, Mullett, Millhouse, Ross, Mendes, Spriggs and Bardon.
Possessions – Mullett 32 with 10 marks, Millhouse 30 with 12 marks, Bardon 24, Mendes 22, Spriggs 20 and Henley 18 with 8 marks.
1% - Geraghty 11, McCarthy and Frankish 10, Bardon and Mullett 9.
Coach’s Comments – We got smashed in so many areas – you can still dig yourself out of this hole – we need a change of mindset – get your head around the next job.
RESERVES FINAL SCORE
BLACKBURN 12-11-83 def VERMONT 11-12-78
As I hosted the lunch I am unable to give a report on the match. However I did see the first quarter with goals coming from McInerney, Carmody and T.Bird after a strong mark. We led 3-3- to 2-2.
In a low scoring 2nd term Blackburn kicked the only goal and I understand at one stage in the 3rd quarter the Burners led by 36 points. We had the breeze in the last quarter and stormed home late to go down by 5 points.
Goalkickers – McInerney 5 with singles to Carmody, T.Bird, Mendico, Carrados, Bordin and Rushton.
Coach’s Best Players – Stewart, Rushton, Ellis, Mendico, T.Bird and Cameron.
Coach’s Comments – In the second quarter we didn’t deliver with the wind.
COLTS FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 10-15-75 def BLACKBURN 11-5-71
Our colts were playing the top team with only one defeat. Our attitude from the opening bounce was good. We played well in the first term keeping Blackburn to 3 goals with the strong breeze. We kicked two with Sonsie scoring via Pretto and Pretto goaling via Lawlor. At ¼ time they led 3-1 to 2-3 but the signs were good,
In the 2nd quarter we kicked 4-2 to 1-1 with goals coming from Sonsie via Barry-Murphy then 2 from Checkley. We were playing good tight footy and entered inside 50 eight more times. Symes goaled late after sensational work by Lawlor. At half time we led 6-5 to 4-2. Better players for the half were Johns, Lawlor. Barry-Murphy, Woolard and Checkley.
Blackburn kicked 6 goals to 1 with the wind in the 3rd term with Checkley kicking our only major. Although Blackburn dominated the scoreboard I had the feeling we were still playing well. By ¾ time they had established a 13 point lead but we had the wind in the last quarter.
Things looked bleak when they kicked the first goal to lead by 19 points. We started our charge with goals to Williams, Cooper and a wonderful snap by Johns levelled the score. We kept peppering away as we led by 1 point then 2 then 3 then 4 as the siren sounded. It just shows what the group can do when their mind is right.
Goalkickers – Checkley 3, Sonsie 2 with singles to Pretto, Symes, Williams, Cooper and Johns.
Best Players – Johns, Lawlor, Barry-Murphy, Woolard and Checkley.
INVICTA BUS PLAY OF THE DAY – PATRICK LAWLOR for his two tough possessions off half back in the 2nd quarter and delivered to Symes for a goal.
Coach’s Comments – I’m speechless – we worked hard as a group – they put huge numbers behind the football – our tackling and pressure was the best all year – every
Last Modified on 18/08/2010 22:58
