The TAC Cup competition’s leading team, the Geelong Falcons, travelled to Eureka Stadium on Sunday to take on the North Ballarat Rebels in cold and windy conditions. The Rebels started well, winning an early mid-field clearance, only to be repelled by Geelong’s defence who sent the ball quickly to the Creswick Road end where they goaled after a little more than a minute of play. The Rebels again worked hard from the centre and Liam Hoy took a strong chest mark and kicked accurately to register the Rebels’ first goal after four minutes. However, sloppy defensive play from the Rebels allowed un-manned Falcons three quickly relayed kicks, to score an easy second goal, which was soon followed by a third. Kevin Bourke was running well from the back line and the Rebels had their share of opportunities in front of goal but could not convert.
Handling errors around the ground were in contrast to the Falcons’ clean, foot and hand passing skills. Consecutive goals early in the second quarter saw the Falcons move to a twenty point lead, despite an equal number of scoring shots to both teams. Again, the Rebels fumbled and were messy with their disposals, turning the ball over to the Falcons who goaled again at the eighteen minute mark, having found plenty of space in their own half. The Rebels managed only one goal in the first half, despite twenty entries into their forward fifty, and skill errors continued to hamper their cause.
The half-time break allowed the Rebels to re-group and Marcus Darmody was moved forward to hopefully grab a mark and score a much needed goal. However the Falcons again scored the first goal of the quarter before Pat Barber burst strongly through the Falcons’ defence and kicked truly to goal. Nick O’Brien’s goal soon after came at the end of some excellent run and carry by the Rebels, who were persisting. Kevin Bourke, Chris Curran and Jandre Slabbert were defending gamely, whilst Josh Free, Dean Gavin and Liam Hoy contested strongly to win many possessions and contribute to the Rebels’ winning the quarter to stay alive in the contest, despite a 23 point deficit.
Good passages of running play early in the final quarter by the Rebels created opportunities well inside the forward fifty but only behinds resulted. Fortunately, the Falcons were also scoring behinds. Dylan Parish cleverly collected a ball on the half-volley and eluded two opponents to snap an important goal at the twelve minute mark. Jordan Dillon and Ben Mabon continued to win hit outs at secondary stoppages and boundary throw-ins, and the overall work rate was encouraging, but handling errors at ground level were proving costly and the Falcons won enough possession to hold on and win by 21 points.
Last Modified on 03/08/2009 18:12