The fact our 2's went down to the Hammers by 3pts should have served notice that the main game wasn't going to be easy.
The 1st stanza was all Hampton as they won the contested ball, clearances and inside 50's. This resulted in them taking a handy 4 goal lead into the first break. Our ball use and decision making was poor and forward pressure was non-existent. Hampton was simply hungrier and prepared to work harder than us.
We took the initiative in the 2nd quarter and got on top in the key areas of the game. Our forwards were able to capatalise which allowed us to square up the scoreboard by half time.
The 3rd term was more of the same as were were able to control the game and it was predominately played in our forward half. Fair to say Hampton's tactics of flooding back were limiting our scoring but it was our effort and decision making that allowed us to have a handy lead at the last break.
We were hoping to finish off in the last quarter and have a healthy win despite the slow start. However the Hammers had other ideas and pegged us back to a goal half way through the last and it was game on. We steadied with the last 3 majors of the game and ran out 4 goal winners. Not our best effort but credit must go to Hampton who definetly came to play and have improved significently over the summer.
With several key players still underdone after injury interrupted starts to the season, the fact we are 2-0 is a real positive. The group is going in the right direction and each week improvement will come. This weeks game at Oakleigh District will be a mini final and we will need to play 100 minutes of our best footy to get the points.
Goal Kickers: Beasa 3, Shermo 2, Emme 2, Thommo 1, Chodda 1, Krackers 1, Konings 1.
Best: Krackers, Chodda, Starky, Wilson, Chubb, Box Head, Leights, Laier.
Last Modified on 23/04/2012 23:46