After losing two games on the trot the North Ballarat Rebels were eager to make amends by dishing out a Stone Cold stunner against the Calder Cannons. After a weekend of sun and surf up on the Gold Coast this week the boys headed to Coburg where no sun could be seen except for the shine radiating off our caretaker’s coaches head. With our regular coach in quarantine the boys wanted to pull off a Richmond and give our caretaker coach (David Loader) a 100% strike rate.
Even though the boys had much enthusiasm and prepared well prior to the game, one player had some difficulties. Marcus Darmody was so proud that he had packed his own football bag all by himself without his mothers help or instructions, to add to his excitement he phoned his mother (who was already in Melbourne) the night before the match, to tell her that he had now grown to an age where he could now pack his own bag. Marcus was riding a wave of success with his bag packing until he got to the ground and realised his monument achievement had turned sour as he had his well packed bag at the back door at his home in Warrnambool.
The Calder Cannons were much like the Rebels in the sense that they to were coming off a major losing streak. With this in mind the Cannons jumped out of the blocks kicking the first 3 goals of the game showing the Rebels that they were here to play and play hard. Rebels after a sluggish start got one back from a strong grab from Dylan (Penguin Shooter) Parish. Despite both teams having the same amount of scoring shots that Cannons were more polished when charging forward.
The second quarter was on record the Rebels most disappointing quarter of the year so far. The Rebels were unable to stem the run and carry of the Cannons midfield and unable to out body the Cannons forwards. This quarter saw the Cannons pile on 6 majors to the Rebels lone goal by yours truly.
After some home truths by David Loader which included that we weren’t showing any aggression and leaving it to a handful of players to do most of the hard work, as a group the Rebels rebounded by playing there best quarter of the game in the third. This quarter saw the Rebels out score the Cannons and also sore glimpses of greatness from the usual ginger and bag packer Marcus Darmody kicking four goals. The supply to the Rebel forwards was first class due to the likes of Ollie (Rocky Balboa) Tate, and Josh (father/ son rule) Free who drilled the ball down the throat of the Rebels forwards.
After a promising third quarter the Rebels undid all there good work with a 5 goal to 1 last quarter in favour of the Cannons. The Rebels were unable to match the Cannons intensity, height and effective disposal.
Next week is a must win game for the Rebels if they are to maintain there position in the top eight. Hopefully next week the Rebels will play with the same intensity and skill that was shown early in the season.
Last Modified on 22/06/2009 12:14