McLaren 14.8 (92) def Encounter Bay 7.8 (50)
Goal Kickers: S.NEILL 4, C.HILL 3, S.KAHL 3, J.WILLIAMS 2, C.SCHOLAR , C.JOHNSON
Best Players: S.NEILL, J.GENTEL, B.HILL, S.KAHL, S.DODD, T. CURTIS
We played a team today who is fighting to get in the finals and it showed. It was a bit strange to see 5 Encounter Bay players run out to play A grade after playing B grade but that's probably where they are at.
Encounter Bay were hard at it from the start, imposing themselves on the game physically and we struggled to match that. Our contested ball was poor from a few boys today and whilst we had some who were prepared to win the hard footy we only had a couple who were prepared to win the TOUGH FOOTY, big difference between the hard ball and the tough ball I think.
We got our act together a bit more in the 2nd quarter and our forwards were taking some good solid marks. Steve Kahl was very good again today and is hitting good form at the rite time after a knee injury.
Josh Gentel was excellent today, playing on the wing, his run and carry thru the middle of the ground was fantastic. Brad Hill returned to form hitting the packs hard and taking the game on, certainly is like a bull terrier in the bottom of the packs, great to see.
Doddy running of half back was again very good and would be our most consistant player, never lowers his standards. Mark Curtis was the general at full back and was hitting every contest hard and his foot skills are probably the best in the team.
The highlight today for me was Sam Neill's game as a rover. Early in the 1st quarter, he copped a really high hit to the head and then a poke in the eye. But like he has done for most of the season, he just dug in and smashed in hard and was the one mid fielder along with Brad that stepped up to the plate when we were challenged. Sam would be close to the most courageous player I have coached in the 11 years that I have been coaching. Well done Sammy.
This game will stand us in good stead for Willunga this week where we are playing to go either a second or top.
Finals like game is going to be fantastic and we will welcome back probably 5 players from injury so there will be no excuses from us.
Last Modified on 09/08/2010 20:11