EAGLES CRASH OUT IN THE MUD
By Peter Booth
SENIORS FINAL SCORE
SOUTH CROYDON 11-9-75 def VERMONT 10-11-71
The day and the ground had the smell of an upset. Webster, Dore and McInerney came in for the injured Cullen and Johnson and for team balance Debney returned to the reserves. We needed just to win or draw to play in the finals. The Bulldogs sealed the game in the first quarter with the first 5 goals – they were working harder – they were more enthusiastic and our early signs were bad. McInerney goaled from a free kick at the 21 minute mark. Bardon goaled via Griffiths but SC quickly answered. At ¼ time they led 6-2 to 2-4.
It didn’t get any better after the break as they kicked the next 2 goals to lead by a massive 34 points in the heavy conditions. To make things worse showers made the going even worse. Vermont kicked 3 of the next 5 goals thanks to Mendes, Froud and Ross. At half time we trailed 10-6 to 5-5 – a huge lead to pull back in the thick mud. Better players for the half were Mullett, Griffiths, Henley, Spriggs and Mendes.
The 3rd term was a real slog with a ball up every 20 seconds or so – all the pace was off the game. Goals came from Froud and Kelly as we outscored them by 2-4 to 1-3 in the quarter – but it didn’t seem enough. At ¾ time they led 11-9 to 7-9.
The last quarter started in heavy rain but when Greig goaled via Bardon we were within 18 points. Henley snapped a beauty to make it 12 points. Things went against us when Geraghty kicked into the man on the mark from 15 metres out then Froud received a yellow card. Mullett who was absolutely outstanding all day goaled to make it 6 points. Dore who was fresh late in the quarter kicked a behind to make it 5 points – then came the defining moment in our season – Siciliano, who had been quiet found space in the forward pocket – steadied and the ball just shaved the inside of the goalpost for a behind and the margin was 4 points. The siren sounded and so ended our season. Better players for the half were Mullett, Griffiths, Mendes, Cotchett, Spriggs and Bardon.
Goalkickers – Froud 2 with singles to McInerney, Vardon, Mendes, Ross, Kelly, Greig, Henley and Mullett.
Best Players – Mullett, Griffiths, Mendes, Cotchett, Spriggs, Ross and Henley.
Possessions – Mullett 38, Spriggs 28, Cotchett 23, Mendes 21 and Henley 20.
1% - McCarthy 13, Ross 11 with 9 each to Mendes, Mullett and Bardon.
Coach’s Comments – It will be a re-birth of our club next year. We are not good enough at the moment – we bottomed out. Captain Ryan Mullett was outstanding today and all year. The first team not to make the finals in over 20 years.
RESERVES FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 12-7-79 def SOUTH CROYDON 2-5-17
Unfortunately with another result going the wrong way we missed out on the double chance. Dornauf and Cameron kicked our goals in the 1st term as we led 2-2 to 0-3 at quarter time. We extended our lead in the 2nd quarter with goals from Dornauf and Mendico. Mendico has played well in recent weeks and his pace around goal makes him dangerous. Bull was terrific in defence and looks ready make to step up next year. Jones was also solid. At half time we led 4-4 to 0-3. Better players for the half were Bull, Jones, Dornauf and Pisano.
It was an even 2nd quarter with both sides kicking 2 goals – our goals came from Mendico and Bordin. Humphrey and Rodneda were good in the tough conditions. Humphrey has shown some good signs this year and looks like a ready made senior back pocket player. At ¾ time we led 6-5 to 2-5.
We really buried them in the last quarter kicking 6-2 to nil. Goals came from Mendico and Bordin with 2 each and singles to Parker and Dornauf. Better players for the half were Bull, Humphrey, Rogneda and Shambrook.
Goalkickers – Mendico 4, Dornauf 3, Bordin 3 with singles to Parker and Cameron.
Coach’s Best Players – Bull, Dornauf, Mendico, Pisano, Shambrook and Mariniello
Coach’s Comments – We played really well in the conditions – the players have achieved playing finals footy.
COLTS FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 12-20-92 def SOUTH CROYDON 0-2-2
Disappointment for the colts to miss out on the double chance by 0.4%. McCafferty kicked our first goal and Sonsie who normally struggles in the wet kicked our next after a determined effort. At ¼ time we led 2-3 to nil.
We were inaccurate in the 2nd quarter kicking 6 behinds but goals came fro Barry-Murphy and two more from Sonsie. At ½ time we led 5-9 to nil. Better players for the half were Marry-Murphy, McCafferty, Johns, Woolard, Sonsie, Lawlor, Yousef, Williams and Pretto.
We controlled play in the 3rd quarter but again we were off line with 5 early behinds. Sonsie kicked his 4th via Checkley then Johns goaled after the best team work of the day. Pretto goaled via Sonsie then Johns capped off an emphatic quarter with another goal. At ¾ time we led 10-14 to 0-2.
Again off target in the last quarter – we didn’t realise how costly it would be kicking 2-6. Goals came from Sonsie via Yousef and Checkley. Better players for the half were Woolard, Sonsie, Johns, McCafferty, Barry-Murphy, Yousef, Checkley and Lawlor.
Goalkickers – Sonsie 5, Johns 2 with singles to McCafferty, Barry-Murphy, Pretto and Checkley.
INVICTA BUS PLAY OF THE DAY – MICHAEL SONSIE for his 5 goals in the worst possible conditions for a full forward plus is endeavour all day.
Coach’s Best Players – Castersen, Barry-Murphy, Sonsie, Kealy, Strachan and Williams.
Coach’s Comments – A fantastic effort – today was a challenge of character – we were prepared to run and protect our team mates – we ticked all the boxes.
Last Modified on 23/08/2010 22:39
