MATCH REPORT v BLACKBURN Rd16
By Peter Booth
SENIORS FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 16-16-112 def BLACKBURN 9-9-63
What a day – Matt Greig took until the 2nd quarter to set a new club goalkicking record of 582 goals. Garry Oakman sent a message to Matt wishing him the best. We have now won 9 matches in a row and are still hoping for the double chance. McKernan was recalled to the seniors at the expense off Dore who played a terrific game in the reserves. Hopefully McLure will be available next week while Morse is only 50-50 to return. The Eagles had a lot to prove after a 53 point drubbing by Blackburn in Round 2.
A perfect day for football with Froud kicking first goal quickly followed by Stephen. It wasn’t pretty football with Blackburn kicking just one goal. Mark Griffiths had an exceptional first quarter while Mendes and Stephen were in the thick of things. At ¼ time we led the arm wrestle 2-4 to 1-2.
After the break Blackburn goaled followed by Froud with his second. The Burners goaled again before Greig marked in the pocket and the big crowd waited to see if he could thread it through for the record – Greiggy duly obliged and another milestone was etched into the Eagles record books. Cotchett who was brave and sore goaled via Greig and Mendes. Blackburn remained right with us with a late goal. Better players for the half were Cullen, Henley, Papillo, Froud, Ross, Stephen, Bardon and Griffiths in the 1st term. At half time we led 5-6 to 4-5.
We kicked 5-6 to 2-3 in the 3rd quarter to set up a match winning break. Froud was on fire kicking a goal via Bardon. He goaled again after Greig applied a timely tackle then came the play of the day when Froud took a one hander running with the flight of the ball – he kept his feet and from the boundary drilled it through for his 5th. A word about our backline – Cullen, Rushton and Waller were terrific while McCarthy’s spoiling was a treat to watch. Ross was doing a lot of hard work around the ground. Greig kicked another 2 goals both on the run from tight angles – both left the Blackburn supporters and coaching bench in bewilderment. At ¾ time we led 10-12 to 6-8.
Blackburn kicked the first of the last quarter before Rushton kicked one of his typical on the ruin goals after having missed a couple early in the match. The Burners answered but then Froud goaled and quickly followed up with his 7th. Greig goaled via Bardon then Greig capped off a record setting day with his 5th. The Eagles avenging the early defeat by 49 points. Better players for the half were Froud, Greig, Bardon, Mullett, Rushton, Henley, Cullen, Mendes, Ross, Waller and Cotchett.
Goalki ckers – Froud 7, Greig 5, with singles to Rushton, Bardon, Stephen and Cotchett.
Best Players – Froud, Ross, Stephen, Cullen, Bardon, Henley, Mendes and Rushton. (We didn’t have one poor player – a great team effort).
Possessions – Stephen 31, Ross 29, Cullen 24, Mullett and Henley 23, Bardon and Mendes 22 with Johnson and Rushton 20 each.
1% - McCarthy and Mendes 11, Papillo 8 with Johnson and Mullett 7.
Ross and Henley took 10 marks and 8 each to Cotchett, Froud and Stephen.
Coach’s Comment – When we played them earlier we had a couple who did not contribute – today everybody contributed.
RESERVES FINAL SCORE
VERMONT 11-6-72 def BLACKBURN 11-3-69
At last we won a close one. Blackburn is aiming for a double chance finish while we are out of contention.
Dore and Dell’Aquilla kicked our first 2 goals with M.Stewart and Dore being in the build up. Dore had 13 possessions for the quarter. At ¼ time we led 2-1 to 0-2.
Blackburn took a narrow lead by kicking the first 2 goals of the 2nd quarter. The Eagles steadied with goals to F.Stewart and Rosewarne. The enthusiasm of the Eagles was terrific they were really switched on. At half time we led 4-1 to 3-2. Michael Stewart and Dore had amassed 15 touches each.
We kicked 4-4 to 3-2 in the 3rd quarter. Dell’Aquilla goaled via both the Stewarts before leaving the field. Caneva goaled then Bright followed after wonderful courage from Pisano. Just before the siren Luke Davis snapped a beauty from the boundary to give us a 14 point lead at ¾ time 8-5 to 6-3. A comment about some players – McDonald had a good quarter – Cameron is really starting to blossom – Jones is playing well in defence while Rogneda’s work ethic is terrific.
When Bright and Dore goaled early in the last term we led by 26 points and looked home. The Burners slammed on 4 goals to get within 2 points but Whitchell sealed victory late in rhe quarter. Blackburn never stopped coming kicking a goal with a minute to go but we held on the win by 3 points. Better players for the half were Jones, Cameron, L.Davis, M.Stewart, Dore and Rogneda.
Goalkickers – Bright, Dore and Dell’Aquilla 2 each with singles to F.Stewart, Caneva, L.Davis, Rosewarne and Whitchell.
Coach’s Best Players – Dore, Fary, M.Stewart, F.Stewart, Jones, Cameron and L.Davis in the 2nd half.
Coach’s Comments – We were really focused and ready to play. Our tackling has improved so much in the 2nd half of the year.
COLTS FINAL SCORE
BLACKBURN 23-8-146 def VERMONT 6-9-45
A big assignment for our boys against a top 3 side.
The Burners kicked the first 3 goals before Castersen goaled for the Eagles. Even at this early stage their teamwork and ball movement was superior to ours. At ¼ time they led 3-2 to 1-1.
I cannot say anything about our 2nd quarter as Blackburn kicked 8 goals to nil to lead at ½ time 8-2- to 1-5. Better players for the half were Pretto, Castersen and Colasanti.
They kicked 6-5 to 3-1 in the third quarter. Our goals came from Quon, Romas via Rosewarne and Geraghty via Williams. A highlight was the very courageous mark taken by Michael Cooper.
We got blown away in the last term with Blackburn kicking 9-1 to 2 goals. Goals came from Geraghty via Castersen then Geraghty kicked his third. The Eagles going down by 101 points. Better players for the half were Geraghty, Williams, Cooper, Barry-Murphy and Romas.
Goalkickers – Geraghty 3 with singles to Romas, Castersen and Quon.
Coach’s Best Players – Castersen, Pretto, Geraghty, Romas, Barry-Murphy and Rosewarne.
Coach’s Comments – A few bottom age players worked hard. Our skills have dropped away – we need to get smarter. Our awareness around the footy was not good.
Last Modified on 10/08/2009 14:51