“The Near Miss” From “the Outer Eye”
Norwood hosted Vermont in a huge 3rd v 2nd fixture at Mullum Reservr last Saturday. Plenty was at stake as we endeavoured to achieve two things, the first being to shore up our double chance, the 2nd – to take a “big scalp” on the eve of finals. We trailled all day but looked set to pounce early in the last qtr when we closed to within 5 points, but Vermont steadied and controlled the last 20 minutes, running out winners by 23 points.
Vermont kicked with a strong breeze away from the Mullum Rd end and made early use, kicking the first goal after just 1 minute. Moments later Rhett Jordan kicked to the leading Leroy who was infringed in the marking contest and registered our first goal. Leroy hit the scoreboard again shortly after, perfectly hit up by Macca and converting from 40 for his 2nd. We continued to work hard into the breeze, but Vermont earnt some reward for effort with 4 more goals to lead by 20 points 5.3 – 2.1 at ¼ time. The clearance work appeared to be a major issue, how much the breeze would be worth would become more evident after we took our turn.
Brenter nailled an early one in the 2nd quarter wheeling onto his trusty left and scoring from 35. Then a slick passage of playing involving Skayve, Gouldy and Maaskant ended up with Leroy, who kicked his 3rd to get us back within 8 points. Matt Decler was marking everything with his velvet hands in defence, thankfully countering the significant shellacking we were being handed at the centre clearances. Skayve converted with a lovely kick from 45 as we closed in, but this was answered by Vermont shortly after at the 10 minute mark. Stuey Hill pounced on an errant kick from ex_AFL ruckman Simon Taylor and slammed through our 6th goal at the 20minute mark. At half-time we took the narrowest lead to the long break, 6.5.41 – 6.4.40. This was enybody’s game.
At the start of the 3rd quarter 2 early goals gave Vermont the ascendency. Stuey Hill was in everything as acting captain, rucking as well as bringing down the big grabs in defence. The defensive unit including Decler, Newman and Kelleher kept us in the game the whole quarter limiting the damage as not another goal was scored, so that at ¾ time we trailled by 15 points, 8.9 – 6.6, but we were to come home with the breeze. Rhett Jordon and Brent English had shone out so far and Big Brute was doing a terrific job against the oppositions twin towers.. Could we take advantage?
The coach’s message at ¾ time was to take the game on, run, spread and attack through the corridor. Everything was on the line. We started well, with Zak McCubbin positioning himself well under a high ball and marking 45m out. His kick split the middle and reduced the deficit to nine points. Two misses from Vermont then kept it under a two goal deficit. Stuey Hill found himself unmarked on the defensive side of the wing, dished to Zak who kicked long where ”the celebrator” marked and goalled from 25m. It was now just 5 points the difference with plenty of time left. From this point however, Vermont regained control, kicking the next two goals to ease out to a 17 point lead as we approached the 20 minute mark. The effort to stay with Vermont appeared to be taking its toll. From a Vermont miss Zak decided to bowl over his opponent, resulting in a free which was dished off for a goal from a tight angle to seal the deal. They celebrated with another before Leroy bagged a consolation goal very late on, but there was no way back as Vermont ran out deserved winners 12.13.85 – 9.8.62.
Our best players on the day were Hilly, doing it both in the ruck and down back, assisted by Rhett Jordon, who worked tirelessly against the odds on ball, and the entire defensive unit with Matt Decler and Jesse Newman standing out, while Big Brute’s efforts in the ruck were also worthy of mention.
After being so competitive for so long in this game, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. It effectively puts paid to our top 3 aspirations as we slip to 4th on percentage behind Noble Park, who have a very winnable game this week against Lilydale, while we face ladder leaders Balwyn.
We must now regroup, get some confidence back – hopefully with a win over Balwyn, and take on the finals at full throttle.
In other game the 2nds were well beaten while the U19s had an excellent win.
Go Wooders.
Last Modified on 29/08/2013 22:11