MATCH REPORT – CROYDON Rd13
By Peter Booth
SENIORS FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 15-17-107 def CROYDON 10-13-73
Another magnificent win against a top side with Blackburn the only side in the top six we haven’t beaten. After being 2-5 after round 7 we are now 8-5 – it has been a wonderful turn around regardless of what happens from now on – it reflects the spirit of this club and the resolve of the playing and coaching group. More good news from Saturday was the best on ground performance of the colt’s captain Lachie McKernan who was promoted to the reserves for the first time – he certainly is a rising star.
Another cold day with the wind favouring the southern goal. Travis Bird replaced Henderson. We kicked 5-5 to 1-1 with the breeze but it could have been better except for poor kicking. Griffiths kicked our first but Croydon quickly replied. Goals then came from Henley, Griffiths, Froud via Papillo and Mendes via Froud. Our backline was terrific with Waller, McCarthy and Millhouse leading the way. Waller is getting better each week – he has gone from a spoiling defender to a spoiling running and attacking defender. In the quarter we went inside fifty 24 to 9.
In the second term Croydon kicked 3-5 to 1-2 with the wind. Our only goal came from Cotchett via Greig. At the break we led 6-7 to 4-6. Better players for the half were Fyfe, Mendes, Henley, Papillo, Waller, Millhouse and Nummy in the first quarter.
In the 3rd term we kicked 5-5 to 1-3. Froud goaled via Cotchett then Greig kicked our next two. Griffiths kicked his third then Froud goaled on the siren. The EFL’s leading goalkicker Brad Kelleher was still goalless thanks to McCarthy. The combination of Ross and McLure in the team is getting better every week with Ross having a wonderful season and McLure terrific in the ruck and general play – big Jim is really starting to blossom. The work rate of Stephen, Mullett and Mendes is great inspiration to all. At ¾ time we led 11-12 to 5-9 exactly double their score.
Croydon went for broke with the wind kicking straight down the middle and they slammed on 3 goals in quick time. We needed a steadier badly and McLure after a strong mark booted one form a long way out into the eye of the wind – there was much celebration. Croydon kicked another two to get within 17 points. Ross, Mullett and Mendes were tireless in the last term. Mullett goaled via Dore then Froud and Greig sealed the result after McCarthy delivered a long ball from the centre. Vermont responded to Croydon’s challenge with a fantastic win by 34 points. Better players for the half were Stephen, Mendes, Ross, Mullett, Fyfe. McCarthy, Waller, Henley and Cotchett.
Goalkickers – Froud 4, Griffiths 3, Greig 3 and singles to Cotchett, Henley, McLure, Mullett and Mendes.
Best Players – Stephen, Mendes, Fyfe, McCarthy, Henley, Papillo, Waller, Mullett and Ross in the 2nd half and apologies to Millhouse and Cotchett.
Possessions – Stephen 35, Fyfe 32, Mullett and Bardon 30, Mendes 27, Henley and Cotchett 25, Millhouse 22 and Ross and Papillo 21 each.
1% - McCarthy 13, Mullett and Stephen 9 with Ross 8. Henley took 10 marks.
Coach’s Comments – David paid tribute to Grant McCarthy’s game keeping Kelleher goalless. We sent a message out today – we beat them on our terms.
RESERVES FINAL SCORE
CROYDON 8-9-57 def VERMONT 6-9-45
Croydon who are second on the ladder kicked the first goal but Bull replied for the Eagles. Both teams kicked 1-2 for the quarter but we had the breeze. McKernan who was playing his first reserves match was blistering in the first term.
Croydon managed 2 goals with the win and at ½ time they led 3-4 to 1-4. Better players for the half were Rogneda, McKernan, Bull and Jones. Bull is staring to develop into a promising player.
Both teams kicked 2 goals in the third term. McKernan booted one then Henderson goaled on the siren but we trailed by 11 points and they had the wind in the last quarter.
A great opening to the last quarter with goals upwind to Jones then Luke Davis and scores were level. Croydon answered with 2 goals before Bull goaled to make it 5 points the difference but they scored a late one to win by 12 points. A gallant effort but again we lost another close one. Better players for the half were – McKernan, Rogneda, Illott, Jones and Caneva. McKernan had 22 possessions for the match.
Goalkickers – Bull 2 and singles to McKernan, Henderson, Jones and L.Davis.
Coach’s Best Players – McKernan, Jones, L.Davis, Caneva and Rogneda.
Coach’s Comments – I thought we were going to pinch it – a game effort against a top side.
COLTS FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 21-15-141 def CROYDON 9-8-62
With the breeze we kicked 5-4 to zero in the first term. Goals came from Yousssef with 2 and singles to Geraghty, Williams and Barry-Murphy. One of the highlights of the quarter was a magnificent smother by Sam Williams and the teamwork leading up to the Williams goal.
We kicked 5-1 to 1-3 upwind in the second term. Croydon were more competitive early in the quarter. Our goals came form Sonsie, Williams, Cooper, Geraghty and a terrific running and linking goal by Barry-Murphy. At half time we led 10-5 to 1-3. Better players for the half were Barry-Murphy who was outstanding, Geraghty, Quon, Williams, Johnson and Sonsie.
We went to sleep for the first 10 minutes of the third quarter as Croydon kicked 4 of the first 5 goals to leave us shell shocked. We regrouped to kick 8 of the next 9 goals of the term. Humphrey kicked 2 goals with singles to Barry-Murphy, Williams, Pretto, Geraghty, Johnson, Carrados and Vasbinder. Sam Williams and Humphrey starred during this quarter. At ¾ time we led 19-10 to 6-4.
Croydon out scored us in the lat term kicking 3-4 to 2-5. Our goals coming from Carrados and Youssef. The Eagles scoring a big win by 79 points.
Better players for the half were – Humphrey, Williams, Ferres, Carrados, Geraghty, Checkley, Barry-Murphy and Vasbinder.
Goalkickers – 3 each to Barry-Murphy, Geraghty, S.Williams and Youssef with 2 each to Humphrey and Carrados and singles to Johnson, Pretto, Vasbinder, Cooper and Sonsie.
Coach’s Best Players – Ferres, Barry-Murphy, Geraghty, Humphrey, Skinner and S.Williams.
Coach’s Comments – A nice win – it’s pleasing to see the systems working. There were some big man grabs – it’s somewhere where it needs to be.
Last Modified on 20/07/2009 11:18