We had set ourselves for a big trip down to Werribee to face a dominant foe coming off a 129 point victory the week before and who hadn’t been beaten on their dung hill for 3 seasons! The boys had really focused on putting pressure on our opponents and it paid dividends as Werribee were subjected to tackle after tackle and our 1%ers for the game ended at 84 vastly better than our previous season high of 68! Sometimes the little things are the big things!
The game opened up with a both teams locking up the ball until we got our running game going through hard contested ball wins and clean handball. Mirrabella provided a great target up forward and it was clear that Werribee were struggling to match up on the big fella who lead and marked well for 3 goals in the quarter. He also drew opposition defence which enabled John Hogan to slip into space at the top of the goal square and kick our 4th. Earlier Luccarelli earned a hard free kick and dished off to the dangerous Woods who slotted the 5th for the term and we went into the early break 5.2 to 2.3. Our midfield again were taking the ball away from contests with wingers Marchesi and Janson especially important with their defensive coverage and dash! Twomey was given the job of shutting Lee out of the game and did a great job wearing him like a second skin and restricting his effectiveness.
Werribee opened the second term with an early goal but from there on the backline of Storey, Brine, Twomey, Hill, Allemand & Smith were fantastic and repelled all of Werribee’s forward thrusts. Our forwards were again troubling the Werribee backs with the marking power of Daou (1st game since returning to the club), Mirrabella and O’Meara but unfortunately we didn’t take our opportunities when presented. Mattison in the ruck was providing great drive and strength around the contest as our onballers continued their dominance around the contest. We went into half time with a handy 25 point lead that could have been much more.
As expected Werribee came out full of bluster with intent to try and intimidate us but our boys were resolute and despite a very ordinary off the ball incident that resulted in Luke Twomey receiving a badly broken nose we certainly handed out as much as we received (with interest). This was the quarter that we should have blown away our opponents as we squandered opportunity after opportunity and ended up kicking 2.7 for the quarter to Werribee’s 3.3. Greg Power playing his best game for the year was providing great leadership through the middle of the ground and the running machine Scannell was coming into his own as the game wore on.
Bring on the last quarter and the boys were really fired up but so were Werribee and this game was going to come down to who was the most committed and determined and that’s exactly what happened as our boys through themselves into the fray without concern for their bodies. Unfortunately this took its toll with Brine, Storey, Woods & O’Meara all having to leave the field with injury as Werribee continued their charge. After a goal being disallowed (dubious) by the Werribee goal umpire (his 3rd error for the day all in favour of Werribee) it was down to 5 points and time for heroics as the Werribee star Lee grabbed the ball at half back and dashed up the Eastern wing with only captain courageous Brosolo between him and the goals. Lee took his 3rd bounce and tucked the ball under his arm but Brosolo dived full length to lock onto him and force the call we were all waiting for “BALL”!
The game was ours by 5 points and again highlights where we belong in this grade! We had 22 contributors on the day and that is the way we approach our footy, no stars just 22 committed blokes playing to a plan! So at the break we are now 4-3 and only % separates us from 4th placed Fitzroy. With wins over the 3rd placed Fitzroy and 2nd placed Werribee we head into Saturday’s game against Emmaus St Leos with great confidence!
Cheers Feuta!
Goal Kickers: M. Mirabella 4, A. Woods 2, J. Daou, J. Hogan, M. Lucarelli
Best Players: M. Mirabella, L. Twomey, B. Janson, R. Storey, J. Scannell, G. Power
|
Q1 |
Q2
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
WERRIBEE |
2.3 |
3.6 |
6.9
|
9.11-65
|
WHITEFRIARS |
5.2 |
7.5
|
9.12
|
9.16-70
|
Last Modified on 01/10/2009 19:48