On a beautiful sunny day with only a one goal breeze favouring the Southern end, Noosa and Sandgate showed that finals pressure is a whole different ball game as both sides made uncharacteristic errors before settling into the Second Semi Final and putting on an absorbing four quarter contest.
The first quarter really should have belonged to Noosa as Sandgate converted fewer inside 50's whilst our boys missed several gettable shots. Brett Duke and Adam Eady were presenting well and Tommy McKittrick was at it like a man possessed, but apart from skipper Adam Bovalino our defence wasnt showing its usual control and system.
The second quarter saw our Tigers extend its 2 point lead to 4 points and unlike the last quarter where Sandgate controlled a lot of play, our boys really had a lot of the footy and it was just our failure to sequence some goals that prevented us from gaining some breathing space.
Taking the lead from four to six points in the third was again a war of attrition, but Bova's goal on the run was a highlight as was the desperation of all 44 players involved. Trompfy's move to ruck produced the lift he and the team needed and Cubby Isles was busting his butt in the absence of Luke Brauer and Aaron Laskey. Jimmy Brain was looking dangerous and Liam Guinan was at the contest and using it wisely.
Many discussed the "rest versus not much footy" debate at 3/4 time trying to work out whether we might pull up short or finish the match full of running. With a 13 point lead at the 12 minute mark of the final quarter we expected the boys to go on with the job, but Sandgate to their credit hung in there and kept piling on the pressure under weight of forward entries won them them the match.
We all know our boys have great character and i have spoken to many who say how much a Premiership would mean to them - well now is the time to show it and leave no stone unturned to earn another crack against Sandgate in the 2010 Grand Final.
Noosa 3 5 7 8 11 12 12 16 88
Sandgate 3 3 7 4 11 6 15 9 99
Noosa
Goal Kickers: Z. Smith 2, J. Brain 2, B. Duke 2, J. Reynolds 2, A. Bovalino , B. Page , L. Guinan , C. Isles
Best Players: A. Bovalino, C. Isles, T. McKittrick, J. Brain, B. Durdin, B. Duke, A Eady
Sandgate
Goal Kickers: J. Walker 6, B. Drew 3, S. Webster 2, B. Long , J. Anthonisz , T. Morrissey , D. Dickfos
Best Players: M. Pettitt, B. Drew, S. Cornish, S. Webster, M. Nuss, T. Morrissey
For some great Photos of the match - CLICK HERE
Last Modified on 23/11/2010 11:17