At Wivenhoe, Saturday 4th September, 1993
Yeoman |
3.5-23 |
7.8-50 |
13.10-88 |
20.13-133 |
Somerset |
5.2-32 |
9.7-61 |
11.10-76 |
14.12-96 |
Goals
Yeoman: O Johnstone 8, L Cochrane 3, D Wescombe 3, R Jones 2, J Payne 2, A Wescombe 2
Somerset: K Taylor 4, C Bruce 2, I Gardam 2, S Redman, M Smith, M Berwick, G Bowen, R Forman, M Saltmarsh
Best
Yeoman: J Neasey, O Johnstone, C Lamprey, G Blachford, M Sherrin, P Denny, R Jones, R Good, A Walker
Somerset: M Berwick, I Gardam, G Hills, T Barratt, G Bowen, S Redman, D Sharman
Notes to Scores (As appeared in DFA Annual Report)
The following notes on the pre-match planning and moves made during the match by Yeoman, as supplied by their Bench Coach Kelvin Smith, give an indication of the thought that needs to go into a match. The points on "physical abuse" are particularly pertinent as Somerset's over-indulgence in that aspect did not serve them well, while Yeoman's greater self-discipline was a key factor in their success.
These are the matchups - Mark Sherrin on Shane Redman, Anthony Walker on Roger Forman, Ricky Good on Malcolm Saltmarsh, Darren Phillips on Rod McGlone, Michael Keygan on Ian Gardam, Andrew Wescombe on Marty Berwick, Jason Payne on Gary Bowen.
* All players instructed not to become involved in or retaliate to any physical abuse
* Teammates in the immediate vicinity only to help in any situation if necessary, with encouragement to focussing back on the ball
* Watch for umpiring decisions
* Keep game moving and take control of game situation
* Run across line to create
Among the vital moves were a switch of Rodney Jones to roving at the 24 minute mark of the first quarter, Simon Plapp to the back pocket in the second quarter and Lee Riis onto Ian Gardam for the second half.
Yeoman Side
B: |
Mark Sherrin |
Phil Johns |
Anthony Walker |
HB: |
Ricky Good |
Colin Lamprey |
Darren Phillips (VC) |
C: |
Drew Wescombe |
Michael Keygan |
Paul Denny |
HF: |
Rodney Jones |
Terry Stafford |
Simon Plapp |
F: |
Liam Cochrane |
Owen Johnstone (C) |
Andrew Wescombe |
Foll: |
Jason Neasey |
George Blachford |
Jason Payne |
Int: |
Lee Riis |
Stuart Adams |
|
Coach: |
Owen Johnstone |
|
|
Match Report ("Advocate", 6th September, 1993)
YEOMAN MAKES STEW OF THE ROOS
Yeoman went to Wivenhoe on Saturday hunting the elusive Darwin Football Association premiership cup that had escaped it for the past 15 years.
The Robins chased the Roos for the first half, being 12 points down at quarter-time and 11 at half-time. During this period the Roos threatened to bound away with Ian Gardam, Marty Berwick and Graham Hills playing solid games. However Colin Lamprey, George Blachford, Jason Neasey and Paul Denny kept Yeoman in the hunt. At half-time Somerset was 9.7 to Yeoman 7.8.
The third term saw Yeoman kick 6.2 to Somerset's 2.6. Simon Plapp, Rodney Jones and Anthony Walker picked up their work rate for Yeoman and big Owen Johnstone was a headache for the Somerset backmen. Timmy Barratt (Somerset) was having an enthralling battle with Yeoman's centre half-forward Terry Stafford. John Hamilton and Berwick were playing lone hands for the fading Roos.
What was set to be a titanic last quarter battle was not to be. Every Yeoman player lifted as they moved in for the kill and, with seven goals to three in the last quarter, the Robins accomplished what they had set out to do, downing Somerset by 37 points in what was a memorable Grand Final.
(L-R): Graeme Warren (Runner), J Barker (Mascot), J Payne, Simon Plapp, M Sherrin, S Fraser, L Riis, Peter Wynwood, C Thurley, M Keygan, B Fisher, Paul Denny, A Wescombe, Rodney Jones, R Good, D Wescombe, Anthony Walker, George Blachford, P Johns, D Phillips (Captain), L Cochrane, Jason Neasey, R Micallef, Colin Lamprey, S Adams, Terry Stafford, Owen Johnstone (Coach)
Match Report (DFA Annual Report)
The weather was sensational, the crowd was a record, the organization worked smoothly and the match was of a fitting standard.
Somerset began as favourites, given their 3 previous victories over Yeoman - by 99 points at Langley Park in Round 7, by 19 points in adverse weather at Les Clark Oval in Round 16 and by 4 points in the Second Semi-Final. Nevertheless, the fade-out by Somerset in the second half of that second semi had raised doubts about their ability to last a full game under pressure.
In some ways, Somerset were the victims of their own success. Their dominance of the roster season, losing just one game and that at Yolla on an oval quite different in size and ground conditions to Wivenhoe, had built their confidence to a dangerously high level. Moreover, their lead up to the final match had been less than ideal.
Victories by 158 and 156 points in the last two roster matches, followed by a week off, then the Second Semi, then another week off gave them just one demanding game in six weeks.
And so it proved. At one stage in the first quarter, Somerset had gone to a 17 point lead and, with Ian Gardam leading from the front and a defence that was handling their tasks with comparative ease, were threatening to establish a match-winning lead. But judicious moves by the Yeoman coaching staff and a continued vigorous approach to, and concentration on, the ball saw the Robins back within 9 points at quarter time.
The pattern continued in the second quarter. A goal close to the siren saw Yeoman within their coach's desired range of 2 goals at half-time.
Owen Johnstone's plans all came to fruition in the second half. The younger players he had recruited and shown confidence in, responded so well that the Robins gradually got on top. Neasey, Blachford and Jones were getting the ball out of the centre, Denny and Drew Wescombe were damaging on the wings and Somerset's lack of height in the backline was exposed as Johnstone began marking and converting regularly. Somerset's stars began to fade and they had to rely more and more on the battling efforts of individuals.
The Robins' two goal break at "oranges" set the scene for a titanic last quarter struggle. Instead, Yeoman simply dominated. By the 20 minute mark they had a lead of 20 points. Two late goals to Chris Bruce, the only time he had been able to get away from Colin Lamprey all match, reduced the margin to 37 points.
A 15 year drought had ended. After Grand Final defeats in 1981, 1982, 1985 and 1987, Yeoman had triumphed at last. An outstanding coaching performance from Owen Johnstone had brought him his first premiership. The other veteran who so many people from other clubs, as well as Yeoman, were so pleased to see rewarded at last for years and years of dedicated was Anthony "George" Blachford.
Somerset had endured a dreadful day of double defeat, just as Yeoman had done before. Next season will show whether they are able to learn from their experience and establish another powerful assault on the flag.