MATCH REPORT – 2ND SEMI FINAL
CROYDON v VERMONT
By Peter Booth
FINAL SCORE – CROYDON 16-9-105 def VERMONT 13-12-90
Vermont will now play Blackburn in next Saturday’s Preliminary Final at Bayswater. A strong physical Blackburn answered every challenge against Balwyn in the 1st semi final. It was a fine day on Saturday with a fluky moderate wind. Griffiths replaced Rushton who was injured. Matt Greig will be available next week. Ash Froud had a horror day kicking 1-7 and a few out of bounds. We looked slow early and heavy in the legs as Croydon kicked the first 2 goals – it may have been 3 except for a wonderful McCarthy spoil. In a terrific team build up which included Fyfe off half back Mullett kicked our first. The Blues then kicked the next 2 before McKernan goaled via Griffiths. Froud then kicked his only goal of the day. At ¼ time after Croydon had the breeze they led 4-2 to 3-2.
In rhe second term we attacked for 7 minutes before Henley goaled. Then came the turning point of the match as Croydon kicked the next 6 goals into a slight wind. We got slammed out of the centre and turnovers were killing us. Late in the term we got 2 goals back with Cotchett via Dore then Dore goaled on the run. A late goal by the Blues gave them a 19 point lead at ½ time 10-3 to 6-8. Froud had kicked 1-5. McLure received a yellow card and missed the 1ast 12 minutes of the term. Better players for the half were Mendes, McCarthy, Ross, Henley, Bardon, Nummy and Mullett in the 1st quarter.
In the 3rd term it took 15 minutes for the first goal to be scored as we kicked 2 in 90 seconds through Mullett and Papillo. Young guns Johnson and Dore we playing well. Late in the quarter Croydon kicked 3 goals to give them a 30 points lead at ¾ time 13-8 to 8-8.
Despite having all the play in the first 8 minutes of the last term it was Croydon who goaled first. Ross goaled then Mendes who was again fantastic goaled via Bardon. We kicked 3 of the next 4 goals with Mendes getting his second then Cotchett with 2 took his tally to 3 for the day. The Eagles falling short by 15 points. Better players for the half were Mendes, Fyfe, Johnson, Stephen, Mullett, Ross and Dore.
Goalkickers – Cotchett 3, Mullett 2, Mendes 2 and singles to Papillo, Henley, Ross, Froud, Dore and McKernan.
Best Players – Mendes, Ross, Mullett, Fyfe, Bardon, Johnson, Henley and Stephen.
Possessions – Bardon and Mullett 33, Henley 27, Mendes and Stephen 26, Ross and Fyfe 21, Millhouse 19 and Johnson 18.
1% - McCarthy 13, Ross 12, Papillo and Mends 8 and Fyfe 7.
Coach’s Comments – We can play so much better. We’ve got to be more upbeat and start patting blokes on the back. We had 20 inside 50’s in the last quarter. Rest up and get you energy levels back.
Last Modified on 07/09/2009 11:35
