Another great day for footy on Saturday and the feeling in the rooms before the game was really good.
Unfortunately this feeling wasn't replicated on the field as Prahran jumped us, winning the centre clearances and around the stoppages, and continually pumping the ball forward. Our defence was under enormous pressure due to our lack of pressure further up the ground and we went into 1/4 time with our tails between our legs. 1.1 to 5.3
It was also a big blow losing Deano very early on with a shoulder injury.
The 1st half of the 2nd 1/4 continued much the same way as the opposition strolled in and kicked goals with ridiculous ease. Fortunately we didn't give up, started to win some ball in the midfield and got a couple of goals on the board. Tyss was particularly prominent, playing some of his best footy since early last season, when he was one of our best midfelders before breaking his thumb. Dave Boles and Raggaz were working hard up forward and Red was really good in a run with role. Because of our poor form early on we were still well behind the eight ball at 1/2 time. 3.2 to 10.4
After a couple of positional moves, but nothing too radical, the transformation after 1/2 time had to be seen to be believed. Suddenly we began to win all the contested footy and our run and disposal were exceptional. Smithy and Baz (in game 150) were performing well in the ruck, Tyss, Chappy, Ads, Spikka, Gaz, Matty and Red took control of the midfield and our backline was solid - finally given a reprieve from the onslaught of the 1st 1/2.
Up forward, Raggaz and Boles led and marked strongly and Dex and Saul got involved at ground level.
The result was an 8 goal 1/4 to Prahran's 3 behinds. One of our best 1/4's of footy since i started coaching. 11.6 to 10.7 at 3/4 time.
We'd worked really hard to get our noses in front at the last change but all that would be wasted if we didn't continue on in the last 1/4. It was a real arm wrestle, with the opposition looking the goods early on, but we persisted and scrapped not prepared to give in without a fight.
Our defence, lead by Zuccs, Gordo, Willo, O and Phil had been under siege most of the day and again held firm in the frenetic last minutes of the game. The game finished with a Prahran player grabbing the ball right on the siren but as the ball hadn't travelled 15 metres it was ruled play on.
A real heartstopper, with all 22 blokes contributing. Weed, Dimmy and Kierza also deserve a mention for their efforts despite limited game time.
A week off to enjoy the win, but it should be firmly set in our minds that winning games by playing one great 1/4 of footy is very rare and we must play 4
1/4 's every week if we want to play finals .
cheers
Lynchy
Last Modified on 24/10/2008 08:05