Round 18 Match Reports
Division 2
Mac Uni 10.7.67 beat Southern Power 5.4.34
For the second time in three weeks the Warriors took on the Sharks and although their last encounter at Shark Park was played with a final like atmosphere this was the real deal with the winner progressing straight through to the big one. Preparation for the game was interrupted with a major injury in Div 3 delaying the start by some 45 minutes.
With a gusty, sometimes very gusty, breeze pushing across the ground it was also favouring the left hand side of the screen to the tune of about 4 goals. The Sharks had first use of this breeze, when the game finally got under way, and although a majority of the first quarter saw the ball in their attacking fifty the scoring opportunities were few. The backline was standing tall under the constant barrage with Donnie, JJ and Latte managing to repel the succession of Power attacks. With the wind making it extremely difficult for the boundary umpire to throw back in to play when the ball went out in the left forward pocket it took a long time to get it out. The result at the end of the first quarter was Southern Power 1.2 whilst the Warriors remained scoreless.
The second term saw the game open up a bit with the Warriors choosing to go all out attack. With the ball coming in quick the likes of Buttercup and Cations were proving a handful. The latter picking up a couple of goals for the quarter as a result of reading the wind best (must have played on some windy grounds in his times has young Scotty). With Timmy Scoular a veritable rock across half back and Coops and Bushy continually pumping the ball forward it was only a matter of time before Harland got himself on the scoreboard with some deft touches of his own.
Half time scores were Mac Uni 5.2 – 32 to Southern Power 1.2 – 8.
Although the mood in the dressing room was positive there was a realisation that the job was only half done and an outfit of the Power’s quality could not be taken lightly. A repeat of the first quarter effort was requested from DK, and his sideline assistant Pete, as the Power came out looking to take full advantage of the wind (which had perhaps increased to a 5-goaler by this stage).
Phar Lap was giving us first use of the ball and Disco was rapidly increasing his clearance stats as the two controlled the centre. Jacko was thriving in the blustery conditions with the ball constantly on the deck and was punching the ball forward into the teeth of the breeze. Pinch hitter Skinny took full advantage of the rare inside 50’s for the quarter as he slotted through the first goal kicked to the right of screen for the day.
But with a wind that strong the game was always going to be played at the Power’s end of the ground and the combined effort of the back six put in a monumental effort to concede a stingy 1.2 for the quarter. Scores were Mac uni 6.4 – 40 to Southern Power 2.4 – 16.
One more solid quarter was all that stood in the way of a GF appearance but a 4 goal lead at the final break meant the game was still there to be one. The Southern Power again came out hard and moved the ball well into the wind. Repeated entries inside 50 saw them slot through a couple of goals to give themselves a chance but with Scotty and Buttercup each kicking their 3rd for the game and the “pinch hitter” slotting through his second the margin proved too great to overcome.
In what was the best all round team effort for the year finals scores saw the Warriors run out winners by 33-points.
Best on Ground: B. Cooper, T. Scoular, P. Jackson, B. Harland, S. Cations, S. Newman
Division 3
Mac Uni 5.8.38 lost to UTS Bats 12.11.83
It all came down to this, a do-or-die battle against the UTS Bats at the beach-like Henson Park on a sunny (if somewhat windy) Sunday afternoon. With the home teams getting the chocolates during their regular season clashes both were looking at extending their season for another week.
Winning the toss we kicked with the aid of a 2-3 goal, swirly breeze and the game started scrappy as both teams struggled with the blustery conditions and sandy surface. The ball was worked forward by both teams and repelled equally as quickly as the backlines dominated in the tricky conditions. It took something special to break the goal-scoring deadlock with Wazza affecting the perfect smoother and then following it up with a deft pick-up and kicked truly from the boundary of the 50m. The Warriors lifted as a result and with Pooley and Kinky starting to find open space on the wing the ball made its way forward more often. Up forward Jacko got on the end of one of these forward attacks and after taking a strong contested mark easily slotted the goal after a 50-metre penalty.
Shaking the defending premier UTS squad was always going to be tough and into the wind the Bats were able to kicked a couple of majors themselves and it wasn’t till 354-gamer Butch snapped truly in the dying seconds that the Warriors went to the first break with a slender 5-point lead.
The Bats were quick to wrestle back the lead with a goal in the first 2 minutes of the quarter and when they kicked their second a couple of minutes later, concern was they might run away with the game. The Warriors, knowing that their season was on the line held strong and with good defence, led by Jimmy Considine, and pressure in the midfield managed to restrict the opposition to one more goal for the quarter. And when Abs took a hanger (undoubtedly mark of the day... in all grades) and kicked truly from directly in front, the margin was still within reach at half time.
Half time scores were Mac Uni 4.4 – 28 to UTS 5.9 – 39
A rev up at half time was required and the need to get the first goal of the second half was paramount. With Claw dominating the ruck and Buster, Abs and Pooley continually pumping the ball forward, the first 6 minutes of the quarter were spent entirely in the Warriors attacking half but the only scoreboard pressure we were able to apply were 2 behinds. As is quite often the case the Bats were able to scramble the ball forward a kick truly against the flow of play and this lifted the UTS team who grew in confidence and grew the lead with another 2 goals into the breeze.
A 29-point deficit at the final break and it was going to take something special to pull this one out of the bag. When Jacko snapped his second for the day early in the final quarter the Warriors supporters (and coaching crew) had a glimmer of hope. The following play resulted in another shot at goal, but when this drifted wide and the Bats took the ball the length of the ground to convert any hope of a fairytale finish were extinguished.
With the wind in their sails the UTS boys kicked another 3 straight to run out convincing 45 point winners. In traditional Warrior style the boys ran out the entire game, the spirit of which is epitomised by Claw who rucked tirelessly all game and was rarely, if ever, beaten and Razzle who despite scarcely being able to walk was adamant he would start the last quarter on the ground.
Apologies to those that have not gained a mention above, don’t think for a second your contributions have gone unnoticed. As I look through the team list I have no trouble recalling your efforts on the day, to document them all however would result in a 20-page report. You know who you are, pat yourself on the back, accept a big thank you from me (Frosty) and Lee for your efforts both today and throughout the year, and don’t forget the hurt associated with losing. It will not only make the pre-season easier but also make us hungrier when the finals come around next season.
A special thank you to Lee Jefferies for his coaching during the year and we wish him all the best as he steps into the President shoes next year. Thanks also to G-Stud and the rest of the Committee who have worked tirelessly all year and this good work is reflected in a GF appearance for the first graders and the number of them that came down to support the boys on the day.
Thanks also to the support staff Sue, Nick and Kate for their valuable help during the year and for Wrighty (for just doing what Wrighty does).
NB. Let’s make sure we are all there to support the seniors at the GF in a fortnight. Go Warriors!!!
Best on Ground: D. Allison, J. Considine, P. Sobb, W. Lal, P. Hyndman, C. Poole
Last Modified on 02/09/2009 08:28
