After the efforts of the pre-season, the day we had been anticipating for so long was finally here, with the opening round of the season. All four of our teams were together, away at Mike Kenny Oval; with Div 4 taking on Gosford and the other teams taking on Pennant Hills. The day dawned in glorious sunshine, and the ground looked a treat for a great day of footy.
First up was the Div 4 clash. With a full team, including interchange players, the Bombers are set for a vastly improved season for our thirds. Taking on another club's senior team is a challenge, but our Div 4 boys tackled the challenge head-on. An early goal raised hopes, but the lead quickly evaporated.
But the Bombers hung in there. Goals were hard to come by, but the Bombers kept the challenge up; and the Wildcats could manage only two goals to one for the first three quarters of the game. The Bombers, although well behind on the scoreboard, continued to contest hard and keep themselves in the contest. The floodgates opened in the last quarter, blowing the final margin out to 49 points; but in reality for much of the day the match was considerably closer than that, and our thirds team can be proud of a vastly improved performance.
The Under 18s were up next, taking on Pennant Hills. The Bombers took some time to find their rhythm, but lifted later in the quarter; but still trailed by 8 points at the first change. It was two goal to one in favour of the Demons in the second term, as the Bombers ran hard but found the physical presence of the Demons a struggle. But with a 17-point margin at the long break, the game was still up for grabs.
But the game slipped away from the Bombers in the third term, as they were unable to score a goal and conceded three, the margin blowing out to 33 points at the last change. And alhough the Bombers found the goals in the last quarter to more than double their score and win the final term, it wasn't enough to challenge for a chance of stealing the game.
It was a brighter start for the reserves, as from the start they showed plenty of speed and drive, giving plenty of options for the forwards and putting on a solid display of the skills they have worked hard on in the pre-season; as they kicked four unanswered goals to lead by 22 points at the first change. The Bombers had to absorb some sustained attacking by the Demons at the start of the second term, but fortunately some inaccurate finishing by the Demons prevented themselves from making the most of their opportunities; while the Bombers made the best of the limited chances they had. At the long break, the Bombers led by 13 points.
It was two goals apiece in the third term, as the Demons attempted to get back into the contest but the North Shore defence was equal to the task; repelling the Demon raids to keep the Bombers in the lead. But the weight of possession began to take its tol in the last quarter as the Demons came in strongly with three quick goals to take the lead. It was a thriller as it became a battle of the defences, neither side willing to concede an inch. A long bomb by the Bombers gave them one goal back, another was just a behind to cut the margin to a point. But the Demons played out time, and it was heartbreak for our reserves to go down by the narrowest of margins.
Returning Bomber Brent Barnes was prominent early in the Premier Division game, and kicked the Bombers' only goal of the first term; while Dale Fitzgerald also stood out with a couple of nice runs down the wing. But the Bombers trailed by 10 points at the first change.
The Bombers got on top in the second term, with a cleaver goal by Sam Carruthers and then Daniel Roberts in control on the forward line to kick four for the quarter. The Demons got two goals back, and the margin cut to three points when disaster struck. Brendan Fitzgerald went down with a serious injury, with the trainers placing him in a neck brace, the ambulance was called and half time called while we waited for the ambulance to arrive.
The third term saw the Demons quickly take the lead, and threaten to run away, before the Bombers fought back. Dale Fitzgerald on the wing was again influential, and Pat Brackin created chances up forward; but the Bombers trailed by eight points at the last change. And although the Bombers tried hard, the bounce of the ball wasn't running our way; and the Bombers went down by 21 points.
A disappointing first day, to go through without a win. And the draw isn't kind to us. Next week the competition has a week off for Easter. After Easter, Div 4 will be away to Southern Power; but the other grades have the bye - so it will be three weeks before they get a chance to put things right.
Last Modified on 31/03/2012 18:52