ASPLEY WEBSITE MATCH REPORT
ROUND 2 – ASPLEY v NORTHERN TERRITORY THUNDER – GRAHAM ROAD
Aspley Hornets were left to rue a heavy injury toll after a torrid 13-point loss to the Northern Territory Thunder at Graham Road on Saturday which coach Russell Evans insists could have been a win.
“We let ourselves down in a couple of patches with poor concentration and skill errors but otherwise there was nothing too negative about a good, brave team performance,” he said.
“It was a really good game of football and a good learning day for us. We learned a bit about ourselves and we learned a bit about a very good opposition.”
Aspley, fielding the same side that beat Mt.Gravatt in Round 1, kicked the first three goals of the game but after trailed by 10 points at quarter-time.
In a fluctuating contest they then out-scored the Thunder 5-2 to 2-3 in the second quarter to lead by seven points at the long break.
They kicked four goals in a row to slip five goals clear in the third quarter but conceded the next four goals to be level at the last change, and not even two late Aspley goals could deny NT the win in a tough final stanza.
“There was a period late in the third quarter where we went away from our structures and our discipline fell away and that really cost us,” Evans said. “But we were coming back again at the end which was another good sign.
“They (NT) are a very good side and to run them to the wire in Round 2 wasn’t a bad effort as long as we learn from it and continue to improve as a side – and I’m confident we’ll do that.”
The Hornets finished with only one fit player on the bench in the final quarter in a telling blow.
They lost forward line ace Ben Bucovaz in the first quarter with a mild thigh strain, and defenders Bryce Carroll (knee) and Brendan Colch (ankle) early in the third quarter.
And then Michael Hutchinson was forced off with bad cramp in the last quarter after a big-hearted performance at fullback.
“The injuries affected our ability to rotate players a bit but I thought we were really brave,” said Evans, confirming that Ben Bucovaz and Colch would most likely miss two weeks and Carroll was a doubtful starter this week.
Mitch McKee, enjoying a brilliant start to the season, was Aspley’s best player. He kicked four goals rotating through the forward line and could easily have finished with six or seven goals.
Micah Buchanan was a solid contributor through the midfield with Matty Payne, while captain Robert Copeland played well down back, and teenager Fraser Thompson battled manfully, especially when forced to replace Colch at centre half back.
Ryan Thomson and Jack James also worked hard, while Trent Manzone and Kristian Bucovas kicked three goals apiece to be useful contributors.
Aspley will travel to Victoria Point on Saturday afternoon to take on a Redland outfit that lost to Southport in Round 1 but posted a convincing win over Mt.Gravatt in Round 2.
Match Details
Aspley 5-4 10-6 14-9 17-11-113
NT Thunder 7-2 9-5 14-9 19-12-126
Aspley Goals: McKee 4, Manzone 3, K Bucovas 3, B Bucovaz 2, Stanley 2, Payne, Jack James, R Thomson.
Aspley Best: McKee, M Buchanan, Copeland, Payne
Last Modified on 05/04/2012 10:08