This week’s game was touted as the game of the first round of home and away matches for us with the past fortnight's training focusing on yesterday and the boys rose to the occasion.
The first quarter saw us jump out of the blocks to kick 4 goals to Labrador's 2 points. The back line was on fire repelling all forward thrusts from Labrador whilst setting up the forward line with some hard running. Alex McDonald's move to the backline was to pay dividends with him playing his best game for the year.
Shane Jones and Josh Brown were inspirational throughout the day and at times beating more than one opponent. This certainly showed why they were selected in the leadership group. The other three in the back half line, Dan Schmidt, AJ Sipple and Reece Opbroek also ably-assisted them throughout the day.
As I reflect back on the game, I would say it was probably our backline's best performance of the year. Not only did we defend well, the boys stepped up to the next level with some creative back half play. It was also great to see the midfield helping out when it was needed with Rowan Page starting the play from the back pocket that would see us kick our best goal of the year. The ball would have travelled through 6 players hands before the goal was eventually kicked.
The second quarter was a total turn around for a more committed Labrador with them keeping us scoreless while managing to penetrate our backline on two occasions. This was also the quarter that Ruckman Chris Loosley, who was on fire at the time, was hurt cutting his day short, but our 'Mr Fix-it man', Matty Preston-Smith stepped up yet again. The best part about his game this week was his consistency over the four quarters. The only other really consistent player apart from our back line was Grayson 'Lion Heart' Huddart. There were a lot of players during the game that at times did something very special but the unfortunatately they didn't go on with it.
After the half time break the boys returned to the field a lot more committed and it was great to see Taylor Ross and Grayson Follett lift their work rate in the forward line. Two of Taylor's goals, both being at crucial points of the game, showed why he is so highly rated. Patty Curracan also proved to be handy in the forward line chipping in with two goals along with Grayson Follett.
This quarter really saw our wings Taylor Pezzalto and Corey Driscoll step up another gear with some great hard running to space while shutting down Labrador's attempted switches.
The last quarter was to see us playing with only 17 on the field after having 2 players injured in the first half and two players yellow-carded early in the last. Labrador were prepared to throw everything at us including their fists and I am sure being a QAFL club, their coach would have been disappointed. This however, as I said after the game, is something we now have to prepare ourselves for and I would like to think we are mentally stronger than that. It takes a better player to control the opposition's emotions with his own.
All in all, I thought while we weren't consistent for four quarters, I rated the game close to our best so far this year.
Congratulations to Josh Brown and Grayson Follett on their 100th game for the Club.
Springwood 9-4-58 def. Labrador 6-9-45
Goals: Ross - 3, Carrucan, Follett - 2, Fitzpatrick, Sipple - 1
Best: Brown, Jones, Huddart, Preston-Smith, A. McDonald, Fitzpatrick, Ross
Last Modified on 01/06/2009 13:07