From the first bounce it was clear it was going to be a tough day. Signs were not good before the bounce when Tubs won the toss and said ‘we’ll’ bat’!!!!! The lads lined up against a far more experienced outfit, the ball bounced and City was immediately monstered from the centre. The quarter saw most of the play in City’s defence with the backline under constant pressure. Things settled down a bit with the KV attack slowed. City did manage to get it into the forward line with several opportunities wasted. But veteran Life Member and 1995 1st grade premiership coach David Herring got things underway with a goal half way through the first term. Joe Fluetcher was strong in the ruck suffering a heavy knock late in the term. Matthew Mansfield showed strength as he bullocked his way through several pack plays. Peter Nissan and Chris Geniola flashed in with good play as the lads stabilised the longer the quarter went on. First term lead to KV 5-3 to 1-0.
The second term started well with Joe Fluetcher winning the rucks and Henry Gore fighting hard. Just as things seemed OK, Joe went down with a knee injury, out for the game. KV got on a roll with the ball locked in City’s back half for long periods. So much so that even evergreen goal umpire John Janczuk seemed to purposely loose the ball in the netball cars, allowing a good 2 minutes to be eaten up! That was pure GOLD! The human Cockatoo, Captain Grabham squarked and squarked out for his less experienced team mates to pick up loose KV players. Unfortunately some poor defence allowed several soft goals to KV. City clicked into gear when Don Pritchard courageously intercepted a ball across half forward, earned a free kick, kicked long to Peter Nissan who goaled. Not long after Dave Herring took a strong mark only to hit the goal post. Again City settled the longer the quarter went on, going into the long break down 9-6 to 2-2.
The third term was a low scoring affair as both sides seemed to be playing kick to kick. Evan Quinn and Nathan Grabham worked well together in defence with ruckman John Matthews getting around the packs working tirelessly. KV wasted many scoring opportunities much to City’s relief, with the scores at the final break KV 11-10 to City’s 2-3.
KV’s bigger bodies were pushing City around again early in the last term, with play once again stabilised with Don Pritchard and Jason Laurens cutting off several attacks, but again several defenders were seen getting sucked up the ground. This resulted in most of KV’s goals for the term. Leigh Spring took several strong marks with John Matthews getting into play all over the ground. Peter Nissan kicked City’s only goal for the term. The final siren sounded with KV 16-13 109 to City’s 3-3 21.
Promising signs with the young City side. Whilst inexperienced, they never gave up. City was best served by John Matthews in the ruck, Peter Nissan Leigh Spring and Jason Lourens. 2 Goals to Peter Nissan and 1 to David Herring.
Last Modified on 01/10/2012 16:31