Little in sport is certain. It’s something we love about our game, that it’s unscripted and can throw up surprises. And there was plenty of the unexpected last weekend, as Sydney AFL threw up the boilover of the season.
It was a rare Sunday game at Gore Hill, as North Shore took on Campbelltown. The Bombers don’t often go down at home, and were playing for top spot. The Blues hadn’t beaten the Bombers for four years, most games between the two sides during that time hadn’t been close; and the Blues were well outside the top five.
But the form book was thrown out the window, in one of the most unexpected results in recent years; as Campbelltown pulled off a remarkable win.
The Bombers went into the game knowing they needed to win by around 63 points to go to top of the ladder. But by quarter time, the question wasn’t whether the Bombers would win by over ten goals, but whether they would win at all. Second to the ball throughout the early exchanges, the Bombers found themselves chasing the game as an enthusiastic Campbelltown side attacked the ball and got the early jump.
Four unanswered goals gave the Blues a 22-point lead at quarter time. But the Bombers fought back in the second term. The North Shore kicking radar wasn’t working, with several kickable shots sailing wide of the big sticks; but a run of four goals to one for the quarter cut Campbelltown’s lead to one point at the long break.
By the time the players returned to the field for the third quarter, the shadows had grown longer and the floodlights were beginning to replace the natural light. But as the temperature grew colder, the on-field action was heating up. In a topsy-turvy quarter of footy, the Bombers took the lead for the first time in the game before the Blues regained the initiative. And late in the quarter, scores were levelled and the teams moved into their huddles at the last change tied up at 53 points apiece.
One goal apiece in quick time started the last quarter, but the drama was getting more intriguing with every passing minute. Mark Edwins had a goal disallowed, and the Bombers had a let-off. But tempers were getting frayed, and moments later there was plenty of push-and-shove in the forward pocket next to the fence; players from both sides rushing in to fly the flag for their team.
In a pack, a free kick was picked out to Matt Withers. The goal was put through and the Blues were back in front. And midway through the quarter, Alphonse Jambarufo burst through the forward line with the ball, slamming it through. The Blues were 11 points ahead. Jambarufo raised his arms, performing an act of celebration worthy of an FA Cup final as his team-mates raucously swarmed around him with a roar of approval.
Campbelltown had played with spirit to get themselves into a strong position; but the job wasn’t done yet. For the next several minutes, the ball was camped on the North Shore forward line, as the Bombers put the Campbelltown defence under relentless pressure. The Bombers pressed hard, but could only manage behinds. Three of them in a row. Other forward thrusts repelled with some desperate spoiling and marking in the backline as the defence held firm.
Eventually the resistance cracked, and Zac Manley marked 40 metres out; then stepped back and kicked truly. The margin was back to two points. The Bombers came forward again, snapping a point. But the clock was ticking, time was running out.
The Blues avoided the turnover, but only just; and kicked to the wing. Looking for the mark that would propel the ball back forward for North Shore, two Bombers collided. One of them, Charlie Callander, hit the deck. The ball went forward for the Blues, and Mark Withers marked 40 metres out. We knew there wasn’t long to go.
But Callander was hurt, and the stretcher was called. He had played a great game for the Bombers, but was carried off. When time was blown back on, Withers lined up his shot and the siren sounded. The Blues had pulled off the seemingly impossible win; and celebrated loudly as they got around each other to celebrate the moment.
Withers’ shot was a point, but the missed kick didn’t matter. Campbelltown had pulled off the result they had come for. They had shown great spirit and self-belief, and that was enough to get them over the line.
Matt Edwins kicked four goals for the Blues; while Alphonse Jambaruso, Matt Withers and Paul Green had been their best.
After the game the Blues belted out their team song with enough gusto to be heard all the way back in Campbelltown giving the Campbelltown faithful great optimism for the future. Coach Brunton was glowing in his praise of the players and stated, "Wins like these give the lads great self belief in what can be accomplished when everyone plays their role." For Campbelltown, their best win for many years; and a sign that after struggling for many years, they may be turning the corner.
Last Modified on 19/07/2013 20:45