MATCH REPORTS By Peter Booth
SENIORS QUALIFYING FINAL SCORE –
V ERMONT 15-13-103 def NOB LE PARK 13-17-95
This victory must be rated as one of Vermont’s best and a great way to celebrate David Banfield’s record breaking 100th game as coach.. A cloud over the fitness of Rushton and Talevski. Mullett was out injured and out on the field the walking wounded. Greig was on one leg and twice he went off and we thought he wouldn’t return, Frankish could hardly run with a heavily strapped thigh, Webster popped his shoulder again and battled on from the bench and Nummy copped a heavy knock. All these factors and we still came from 38 points down at ¾ time to win by 8 points. There were many heroes in that final quarter but Ash Froud was breathtaking with 5 goals. Noble Park was missing Barlow, O’Brien and Velardo. Tim Johnson replaced Mullett and Williams returned in the reserves after missing a month. An overcast day at Bayswater with a strong breeze worth 5-6 goals to the Southern end. Noble Park had first use of that breeze and kicked the first goal. Greig again saluted for the punters with first goal via Froud. After holding the Bulls for a while and eating up time they eventually broke loose and slammed on 5 goals to set up a good lead at ¼ time 6-7 to 1-4.
It was our turn with the wind and Froud goaled within 30 seconds via Millhouse. Then came 2 sensational long goals. The first came from Froud from 65 metres then Davidson goaled via Hall from 70 metres. There were more of these to come later in the match. Webster left the field after popping his shoulder again then Greig goaled via Bardon. Papillo who was having a terrific game goaled after a great tackle. Noble Park undid a lot of our good work by kicking 3 goals upstream. Froud kept us in touch with a goal via Papillo on the siren. Better players for the half were – Holmes, Rushton, Papillo, Froud, Bardon and Nummy. At half time the Bulls led 9-11 to 7-6.
With a deficit of 17 points at half time the pressure was on not to let Noble Park have too much of a lead at the final change. It was an encouraging start to the quarter when Cullen snapped a goal. Our boys did wonderfully well for the next 20 minutes but a series of defensive mistakes saw Noble Park kick 4 late goals and all of a sudden given our injuries the task in the final quarter looked mountainous. Papillo had a great quarter, he was moved on to Anderson who was very damaging, he not only quelled his game but became an inspirational prime mover himself. At ¾ time they led 13-16 to 8-8 and the feeling wasn’t good. I understand David Banfield spoke very well during the break and his words were going to have a profound effect.
The ride of our lives was about to begin and the centre stage belonged to Ash Froud. Within 30 seconds Froud goaled via Hall and Millhouse. Froud goaled again this time from 60 metres via Papillo. Greig, who was showing unbelievable courage with leg pain kicked an unbelievable goal on his wrong side, on the boundary line 65 metres out. The goal came at the right time to add to our momentum. Hall, who played well all day was having an imposing last quarter. A bad Noble Park defensive error let Mendes in for a snap goal. Vermont hit the front when Froud goaled via Mendes then Froud kicked his 5th for the quarter again via Mendes and the Eagles with just minutes to play were safe. We kicked 7-5 to 0-1 in the finals term to overrun the Bulls. We now meet Balwyn at Bayswater in the 2nd semi final.
Goalkickers – Froud 8, Greig 3 with singles to Cullen, Papillo, Davidson and Mendes.
Best Players – Froud, Papillo, Rushton, Davidson, Hall, Bardon, Holmes and Mendes with a special mention to Johnson who had a terrific 3rd quarter.
Possessions – Bardon 28, Davidson and Holmes 22, Rushton 21 and Morse 19.
1%- Mendes 16, Papillo 13, Morse 10 and McCarthy 8.
Coach’s Comments – David spoke about private things the team had discussed during the week. He said, we wanted it the most – there are no limits.
RESERVES QUALIYING FINAL SCORE –
EAST BURWOOD 9-20-74 def VERMONT 7-8-50
What a difference a week makes. Last Saturday we beat them by 7 goals and this week they turn the tables. They were strengthened by 7 players dropping back but as Tom Humphrey reminded me – we lost the corresponding game last year by 70 points and went on to win the flag.
The Rams had the strong breeze in the 1st quarter and could have blown us away as they kicked 3-9 to zero. In the 2nd term they kicked the first goal and it took us 14 minutes to kick our first by Whitchell. At half time they led 4-13 to 1-2. Better players for the half were hard to find but probable Davis, Griffiths and Dorbolo.
It seemed all over when the Rams kicked the first 2 goals of the term. Then a change came over the game when Bordin goaled then Smith replied via Rosewarne. The Rams added 2 goals with the wind but before the break we kept in touch when Bordin kicked his second then Griffiths goaled. At ¾ time they led 8-19 to 5-4.
We managed only 2 goals with the wind in the last quarter both being kicked by Bordin. In fact we were goal less for the first 21 minutes and probably flattered ourselves to be beaten by just 20 points and a chance for a re-match later on. Better players for the half were – Bordin, Williams and Whitchell.
Goalkickers – Bordin 4 and singles to Whitchell, Griffiths and Smith.
Coach’s Best Players – Bordin, McLure, Stewart, Setyana and Whitchell.
Coach’s Comments – We came unstuck massively in the first quarter after that we competed with them. A positive is we get another chance.
COLTS QUALIFYING FINAL SCORE –
VERMONT 11-13-79 def NORWOOD 9-9-63
In the home and away Norwood beat us by 18 points at home. The sound of them rapping on the metal door of the change rooms after the game gave us unbelievable motivation. They had he breeze and kicked the first goal. A couple of thins that happened early gave us good signs – a smother by McDonald and a terrific chase and tackle by Setyana. After a couple of misses we finally converted through McInerney and McDonald. To go in at ¼ time leading 2-2 to 1-1 and the breeze to come.
We kicked 3-5 to 1-1 in the second quarter. Goals came from Rogneda, Ryan via Cameron and Debney via Siakavelis on the siren. At half time we led 5-7 to 2-2.
Better players for the half were – Rogneda, Debney, McInerney, Bird and Henderson.
With the wind Norwood kicked 6-4 to 2-1 in the third quarter. Our goals came from McInerney via McDonald and Ryan and Debney via Dore. In fact by kicking the first goal of the term we went to a 29 point lead – but not for long. Norwood kicked 6 goals to go to a 4 point lead at the final change. Such was the barrage late in the term Debney was moved to the back line. At ¾ time they led 8-6 to 7-8
Was the final term going to be a replica of the home and away clash when they finished all over us.
In the final term we kicked 4-5 to 1-3. McInerney kicked the first then Michael Rogneda kicked the next three. Dore and McInerney helping along the way. Huisman was his usual dashing self off half back. Vermont to have another crack at Knox next week. Better players for the half were – Rogneda, McInerney, Huisman, McDonald, Dore, Bird and Debney.
Goalkickers – Rogneda 4, McInerney 3, Debney 2 and singles to McDonald and Ryan
Coach’s Best Players – Dore, Henderson, McInerney, McDonald and Huisman.
Coach’s Comments –Congratulatons – it was never going to be a pretty game of footy. We didn’t play the ground smartly – We tripped up in the 3rd quarter – we kept at it.
Last Modified on 08/09/2008 15:38