After a three week break Alexandra travelled to Seville for two games of football and four games of netball on a beautiful late autumn day. The ground was in good condition if one disregards the ups and downs.
The Seniors also missing some regular players kicked to the uphill Warburton Highway end and began by getting to the ball to Jack Goonan via Brayden Norris but only a behind resulted. Seville attacked repeatedly but fortunately for Alex. was offline also. Although early in the game, Jacob Brereton took a spectacular mark which turned out to be “mark of the day”. The game was very scrambly with many ball-ups as the umpires were unable to pick out a holding the ball decision. Seville’s first goal came half way through the quarter as they finally found the middle, although the next goal only took minutes. Alex. got forward and although Norris failed to take the mark he recovered quickly and kicked the Rebels first goal. Steve Steiner broke through the congestion and found Lee Ragg who converted accurately. . Seville kicked the next goal from a long way out and another from closer in. Alex came back with an after the siren goal to Ben Cooper to keep Alex in touch at quarter time. Alex. were confident at the break that they could do well down hill favored by a slight breeze and new player Joe Daniel had a chance for the Rebels early but his shot bounced wide. Seville scored the first goal of the second quarter and kept the Alex defence under pressure. Steve Steiner and Norris had chances but were both offline. Daniel Rouget saved a certain Seville goal with a great smother but the Blues came again and key forward O’Keefe made no mistake as he was causing the Alex defence real problems. The home side was now teaming well always with players out the back to receive the hand-pass... Chris McKay kicked a much needed goal but Seville continued their dominant play and went to a big lead at the main break. Alexandra were late on to the ground to start the third quarter but the home side continued to get the ball to O’Keefe who kicked all of his sides four third quarter goals. Brereton continued to jump high in the ruck but the Blues were reading his work well. Ben Cooper and Steve Steiner were strong in the many contests and Conner Heaslip and Will Goonan tried hard to stem the tide in defence. The last quarter began with Alex. handicapped by a couple of injuries and players had to work extra hard with fewer rotations off the bench. O’Keefe continued his dominance and kicked his seventh consecutive goal as Alexandra continued their effort which could not be questioned. Ragg goaled for the Rebels but often when Alex. went forward with a pressured kick out of defence it was to a one on three or to a lone Seville backman . Will Goonan marked strongly up forward and the back-man kicked one of his infrequent goals to give the Rebels score some respectability. The Alex defence had done reasonably well to restrict the home side to eight second half goals but could not go forward with any authority or system. Nathan O’Keefe’s game (12 goals) was one of the most dominant individual games I have witnessed against the Rebels for many years. Seville 19.18.132 to Alexandra 6.10.46. Best: Jacob Brereton won most ruck contests and was one of the few to challenge Seville in the air. Steve Steiner and Ben Cooper worked hard in the many ball-ups whilst Conner Heaslip and Ben Woolard won possessions wide
RESERVES
The Reserves with a patched up side began well to the downhill end and actually led at the first change. The home side had the better of the second term with three goals to one to lead by ten points at the main break. Alexandra reduced the margin to a solitary point at three quarter time with a determined effort in the third quarter and the game was there for the taking, but the home side took control of the game in the last and using the ground better kicked five goals to one in the last, to win comfortably 11.9.75 to Alex. 7.6.48. Luke heard and Jed Hamill was the major goalkickers with Cory Jack, Jim Kidd and Max Church just ahead of a few younger players as Alexandra’s best.
UNDER 18s FIRST WIN
The Under 18s team travelled to Wandin with a full complement of players including three under 16 boys giving the team a bench. A goal each in the first quarter showed the crowd that there was little between the teams with the Rebels kicking three goals to two in the second quarter giving the visitors a narrow two point lead at half time. Wandin hit their straps in the third quarter kicking three goals from six scoring shots whilst the Rebels added the one goal, Wandin leading by 13 points at the last change. Wandin kicked the first goal of the last quarter to extend their lead but the Rebels dug deep and kicked the next four goals to lead by eight points at the final siren, 9.8 – 62 to 7.12 – 54, the boys lifting the roof in the change rooms when singing the song. Awards: Bundalaguah Engineering award – Aaron McDonald, Hadfield Contractors award – Jordan Laurie-Rhodes,
Last Modified on 28/05/2018 11:35