ASPLEY FC MATCH REPORT
ROUND 4 – ASPLEY v LABRADOR – GRAHAM ROAD
There are wins and there are wins. And on Saturday at Graham Road the Aspley Hornets enjoyed one of those wins that generate a genuine spark of enthusiasm and optimism for the times ahead.
The Hornets, with only one win from their first three games and carrying a heavy injury toll, found themselves at a season-defining moment when they trailed unbeaten ladder leaders Labrador at every change of the Round 4 clash.
In real danger of losing touch with the early season NEAFL pace-setters, they could rise to the challenge and claim one of the club’s great victories. Or they could accept the tough cards they’d been dealt and falter.
In a brilliant final quarter blitz they rallied superbly, piling on 7-6 to 3-2 to win 16-15 (111) to 13-9 (87) and claim the inaugural Patton’s Cup, struck in recognition of the sponsorship of both clubs by Patton’s Meats.
Dual Grogan Medallist Matthew Payne, recruited from Southport over the summer, master-minded what coach Russell Evans hopes will be a breakout team performance with a brilliant display through the midfield.
“I really liked the way we responded to a pretty tough situation and if we can keep that sort of performance up we’ll be OK,” said Evans, applauding the collective application of his players.
“They (Labrador) are a good side and we had to work very hard to get things back on track after a poor start,” he said.
Evans was quick to concede the late withdrawal of Labrador’s No.1 forward Tim Notting was a significant boost to his side as they stayed within striking distance of the top five although still seventh on the NEAFL Northern Conference ladder.
But it wasn’t in any way Notting’s absence that sparked the Aspley revival in which they cleverly managed to slow the ball movement of the slick Tigers and eventually turned the game in their favour.
“Labrador’s first movement is short and we worked pretty hard to take that option away and make them kick it long. When they did that we were pretty good in the air and on the ground,” Evans explained.
The Tigers led 5-2 to 1-4 at quarter-time after kicking with a slight breeze and could have been further ahead.
But by halftime the momentum had started to swing. The Hornets, driven by a brilliant performance from Payne, out-scored the visitors 4-3 to 3-2 in the second term and cut the margin to 15 points.
It was only four points after the home side added 4-2 to 2-3 in the third quarter, but still the job was in front of them. How much had the rally taken out of them? Who would stand up?
It was Aspley forwards Adam Hughes and Peter Labi who rose to the challenge. They proved match-winners in the final quarter, marking the ball well and kicked accurately to finish with four and three goals respectively.
Mitch McKee also continued his excellent start to the season with four goals, while Robert Copeland was rock solid at centre half back flanked effectively by Ryan Thomson and Jeremy O’Brien.
“Since Bryce Carroll went down injured I thought we lost a bit of drive so we swung Ryan and Jeremy there and that helped a lot. It gave us a bit more penetration into the forward line, where Hughes and Labi were very good for us,” said Evans.
Ben Bucovaz returned from injury ahead of schedule and although not a dominant figure his presence on the ground was a positive influence for the young Hornets.
Kristian Bucovaz, playing as a utility forward, had his best game since joining the club this year, and State U18 team ace James Ives continued his recent good form.
Evans made the tough decision to drop former Melbourne and Brisbane AFL veteran Travis Johnstone, and was delighted by the way he took the news.
“I couldn’t have asked for better. He played in the Reserves and tried really hard. He’s just got to get his fitness up and re-train himself to get his legs moving again, but he’s determined to fight his way back into the side which shows a lot of character,” Evans said.
The Hornets will have a Round 5 bye ahead of the Round 6 clash with resurgent powerhouse Southport at Graham Road.
Round 4 Match Details
Aspley 1-4 5-7 9-9 16-15-111
Labrador 5-2 8-4 10-7 13-9-87
Aspley Goals: Hughes 4, McKee 4, Labi 3, K Bucovaz 2, Payne, Reid, Bevan.
Aspley Best: Payne, O’Brien, McKee, Hughes, Labi, Copeland,
Last Modified on 16/04/2012 12:28