A big crowd of Noosa past players saw a great game of footy between arch rivals Noosa and Maroochydore. The weather was less than perfect as light rain fell through most of the Reserves game but once the senior ran onto the ground the rain had stopped. This was a crucial game for both teams as Noosa were still looking for their first win and Maroochydore win would see themselves well and truly in the top 5.
The first quarter was exactly what Fletch was asking for, midfielders be physical at every stoppage as Cubby Isles, Nath Winter and Jake Fulton, worked hard and got the clearances. Lou Fary and Dave Welch were causing headaches for the Maroochydore defenders with their movement and strong marking and Nick Jones and Peter Trompf played fantastic stopping roles down back. Trompf taking 5 strong pack marks in defence in the first quarter. At the break Noosa had skipped away to a handy 18 point lead Noosa 4-5-29 to Maroochydore 1-5-11.
The second quarter was going to be a test as the ball became a little more difficult to handle, Steve Simpson was starting to make a difference in the ruck, Alex Corrigan had lifted his work rate and was finding plenty if the ball, Max Paterson and Brendan Wulf were looking very dangerous up forward. Maroochydore came at Noosa but the Tigers settled and when Lou Fary Kicked his 4th for the half, Noosa had extended their lead to 19 points. The positive thing through out the second quarter was every time Maroochydore challenged, Noosa were up to the task and answered. At the main break Noosa 8-8-56 to Maroochydore 5-7-37.
This time last week, Noosa started to drift off, but throughout the break Fletch maintained the intensity and reinforced the team structure; but it was up to the teams leaders to take control. Cubby, Trompf and Adam Eady certainly did that. Cubbys work rate in the third quarter was outstanding, Trompfs aggression at the ball was terrific and Eady's leadership under pressure was what got the younger players like Seb Rogers Jai Fitzpatrick and Ben Fuller to lift and this In turn kept Maroochydore to only 1 point for the Quarter. Noosa only scored 1 goal them selves but in the trying conditions left it a hard task for Maroochydore to come back. At the final break Noosa 9-12-66 to Maroochydore 5-8-38.
The main talking point for Noosa in the huddle was to get that first goal, and to keep up the pressure around the packs. Nick Harris and Harry Opie were repelling all of the Maroochydore attacks and at the 10 minute mark, Ben Fuller spotted Lou Fary inside 50 for his 5th goal for the game, it looked like Noosa were going to win comfortably but Maroochydore, to their credit, came back and came back hard, kicking 5 unanswered goals to get within 4 points with a few minutes to go. Noosa tried everything to stop the flow and as most players were feeling the affects of the wet conditions, Brendan Wulf bobbed up with a solid mark, 35 metres out and on a rather difficult angle. Wulfy went back, took his time and slotted it straight through the middle to give Noosa a 10 point lead. As the seconds ticked away Maroochydore kept coming, and as the ball was deep in the Noosa defence they rushed a few behinds and wound the clock down, the final siren blew at the 32 minute mark and Noosa had hung on for their first win for the season by 6 points.
Noosa 11-15-81 defeated Maroochydore 10-15-76
Noosa goals - Lou Fary 5, Brendan Wulf 2, Alex Corrigan 1, Cubby Isles 1, Dave Welch 1, Max Paterson 1.
Noosa best - Peter Trompf, Lou Fary, Alex Corrigan, Jake Fulton, Steve Simpson, Dave Welch.
Reserves
Noosa 3.4.22 defeated by Maroochydore 10.6.66
Noosa goals: J.Sherriff, S.McKenzie, M.Hunter
Noosa Best: J.Sheriff, R.Purves, S.McKenzie, M.Hunter
Noosa now have two big road trips in a row, with the Tigers taking on Surfer Paradise this weekend on the the Gold Coast followed by Burleigh at Burleigh the week later.
Last Modified on 02/06/2013 12:55
