Finals fever was finally here in Division 1 as Montmorency locked horns with West Preston. For the winner a 2nd Semi Final spot beckoned while the loser would have to deal with the unenviable task of a knockout 1st Semi Final.
Montmorency began the contest with the rhythm and clean ball use that saw them finish as the second best side in the home and away season. They strangled West Preston in their half of the field as the Roosters were simply unable to penetrate the Magpie zone.
After a string of consecutive behinds, Monty were finally rewarded for their relentless pressure when Michael Steven roved the pack beautifully and ran in to slot the easiest of goals.
Soon the floodgates began to open as the Magpies booted the next four goals to extend the margin beyond 30 points. West Preston were simply without any forward structure and barely looked like delivering the ball inside 50m.
Just when it seemed it would be a long afternoon for the Rooster faithful they managed to fight back, booting the last three goals of the quarter in quick succession, reducing the margin to 17 points to cap off an enthralling opening term.
West Preston coach Vin Dattoli voiced his frustration at the side’s lack of defensive pressure. “Everyone know your role,” he demanded of his troops, “pressure must go up ten fold.”
The Roosters emerged from the quarter time huddle determined to assert an element of physicality on the contest they severely lacked thus far
The game began to reveal the evenness of both sides, with much of the play taking place between the two 50m arcs. The Magpies were left to rue countless missed opportunities in front of goal and despite having twice as many scoring shots as their opposition, held just a four-goal advantage at half time.
The third quarter began in fiery fashion, as the two sides battled ferociously for ascendancy in the midfield.
The arm wrestle was starting to be won by the Roosters as they went on a barrage of goals, kicking four in quick succession to reduce the margin to a solitary point and take a firm grasp on momentum.
In contrast Montmorency struggled to get their hands on the football, seemingly lost at the stoppages as the contested possession count began to tilt in favour of West.
The game had now turned into the tight, entertaining contest most expected and it seemed fitting scores were then level heading into the final term. Magpie coach Fabian Carelli slammed his side’s lack of accountability and reminded them of the importance of winning the contested football in finals.
Given what was at stake the fourth quarter began in tense fashion, with both sides wasting chances to apply pressure on the scoreboard. The all-important first goal fell the way of the Roosters as Billy Micevski, who was outstanding all day, soccered the ball through for his second and more importantly handed his side the lead.
The Magpies pushed for that vital goal but again left themselves frustrated as ruckman Patrick Fitzgerald missed a set shot from a tight angle with only minutes remaining. To their credit the Rooster defence stood up when it counted, led by Jesse Caspersz and Mick O’Neill who responded in terrific fashion after being challenged by his coach at quarter time.
Montmorency threw everything at West Preston in the dying stages but came up agonisingly short, as the Roosters clung on for a memorable 6-point victory. They now set up a 2nd SemiFinal match-up against reigning premiers Heidelberg while the Magpies face a knockout semi-final against Bundoora next week
Last Modified on 05/08/2012 23:36