Our boys were brave but ultimately beaten in an epic Elimination Final at Clayton. It was a typical finals day at Clayton with a stiff breeze blowing away from the clubrooms. We had first use of the wind and we were a little wasteful with some early entries.
With Danny Wilson in the ruck showing no signs of the injury that kept him out for a month we were getting our hands on it. It took until the eight minute mark before Adam Nichols could find some space and snap truly. Dave Ford marked and converted soon after for our second. Lance Baptist got on the board with some clever work towards the end of the quarter.
The backline led by Leighton Ross and Justin Doust were as mean as a baby seal clubber, keeping Murrumbeena scoreless for the quarter. We took a 21 point lead into quarter time, which was only par given the wind.
Our work in the second quarter was first class. Brad Dight marked on the lead and converted. Lance Baptist kicked a second valuable goal into the breeze soon after. We denied Murrumbeena until the 11 minute mark before they goaled.
Gavin Vassallo produced a brilliant snap out of congestion to get on the goal kickers list. He then produced some gut running to get behind the defence and on the end of some good work from Rob Johnston to produce his second minutes later. Our four goals into the breeze were bought undone by allowing Murrumbeena to kick two goals in time on.
The third term saw us with the wind advantage again. An early goal to Brad Dight was what the doctor ordered. Adam Nichols kicked a brilliant running goal soon after. We were to pay a heavy price for this as he was felled after he kicked the ball and would take no further part, ending what had been a damaging game from the veteran.
Murrumbeena finally scored at the clubroom end and collected another goal soon after. The strong breeze was stiffening toward the end of the quarter and we capitalised with goals to Coach Jack McTaggart, Brad Dight and David Ford. A 28 point lead when the oranges appeared was handy, but the bad guys would have last use of a strengthening wind.
Our 28 point lead was reduced to 10 points by the 6 minute mark of the final stanza. We could not get our paws on the ball in the middle and the short Clayton ground made us pay. We finally won a centre clearance and got the ball in deep enough for Tyson Bramble to use his pace and pounce on a loose ball for a steadying goal. Unfortunately we conceded two more in quick time to allow the Lions to within a goal at the twelve minute mark.
We had the ball in our forward line for an eternity, but to the credit of Murrumbeena, we couldn’t get through. Both sides were desperate and no major as scored was for around 10 minutes, It appeared we might hang on until a ball fisted out of a pack found its way to a Beena player who kicked truly. It would be the last play of the day as the siren rang soon after the restart. Our lads were left devastated, 2 points behind at the end of the day.
We could hold our heads up but it was not to be. Our young group that had given us so much certainly lost no friends.
Shannon Brown enhanced his finals reputation with a strong display. Matt Campbell had plenty of it whilst Danny Wilsons return from injury was inspiring. Brad Dight was as good as any forward on the ground, finishing with a well deserved 3 goals. Lance Baptist and Jordy Wachter were among the best whilst Justin Doust, Leighton Ross and Ben Laier ran a good ship in defence.
Congratulations must go to the Match Committee of Jack McTaggart, Steve Aitken and Brad Bruni. The enthusiasm that they have given the club is infectious and can only hold us in good stead.
We could not be prouder of our lads.
We will be back, better in 2014.
Last Modified on 05/10/2013 21:17