On Saturday, the Warhawks made their way to Paisley Park, Altona and under bright sunshine and on a remarkably good surface, did their final warm-up and stretches for the season while the Altona team began to slowly appear at the sideline.
Earlier in the year when the Bendigo lads played this team and were beaten, they looked well-matched in general play, but couldn’t get shots into the goal. We were keen to make amends. Altona eventually took the field with nine, though one more player arrived during the first quarter and another half way through the game, which was good, as winning against a short side always seems a little empty. The Warhawks fielded 13.
The Warhawks jumped Altona with two quick goals before Altona could score, and looked dominant, before Altona got their breath and were able to slot a couple. Then it was fairly even with a goal apiece and a score of three all going into the first break. Bendigo looked sharp in the forward line with plenty of movement off the ball and great stick work. The addition of Will Kenny into the forward line added some youth and energy to proceedings. Goals came from Alex Orr, as he drove off the restraining line and dodged a couple to beat the goalie; a nice dodge and shot from Ian Lock and one from John Webb, who finally found some form on quickstick shots in front of goal from a sharp Will Kenny assist.
The second quarter saw plenty of the same great play, but maddeningly little reward, and while both sides were unable to score, Bendigo had better control and looked more dangerous. Altona mainly opted for a long throw out of defence as their transition into attack and with the Altona defenders often leaving the Bendigo forwards to roam unattended at the halfway line, the Warhawk defenders were able to readily win back any lost possession and rapidly find an easy route into attack.
After half time the Warhawks found another gear and confidence. With time in the Altona half progressively rarer and shorter and fantastic fighting by Warhawk defenders (and Gino proving impenetrable in goals for two quarters), the Bendigo attack had time with the ball and it began to pay dividends. Ian Lock snared a couple, one assisted by Alex Orr. Alex himself got a beauty from a fast and demoralising backhand flick at knee height that the goalie never saw until it was behind him, and John Webb scored two, both from good cuts and a quick catch and shot in front of goal, one from a great assist from Ian lock. I should mention that on the scoresheet one of mine (John Webb) was awarded to Alex by the ref, who evidently assumed, from the athleticism and skill exhibited by the player in question, that it could not have possibly been me. Goals are hard to come by at my age and decent tallies more so: I’m taking it back.
At three quarter time, Bendigo were up 8 to 3.
In the final term Altona managed one more goal (I should mention the detail of this, as it was nice) from a blistering run by a junior, who whipped the ball to his Dad, who then finished it off. However, Bendigo kept their defence largely intact and their foot on the accelerator and scored three more. Alex Orr made another solo drive on goal through an opening made by good movement off the ball by midfielders, John Webb pounced on a defender’s fumble and ran to goal and scored (the goalie was annoyed, because the shot was terrible, being straight to his stick, but he moved it away assuming that no-one would be dumb enough to throw it straight to his stick). Will Kenny also scored a nice goal from an assist by John Webb, after they had nicely put a defender out of position. The final score was 11-4 and a great win to the Warhawks to finish the season.
Votes went to Gino Iuliano in goals (3 Association and 3 club) for a great game with tons of aggression and a shutout for two quarters; Ian Lock (2 Association and 2 club) for stacks of endeavour and three nice goals and Mark Reader (one club vote) for his usual tremendous defence work and ability to come up with a ball.
Last time we beat Altona, a couple of years back, they were the top side in our division and we weren’t supposed to do it, but everyone in our team had a good game on the same day and we simply overpowered them. This game was the same and everyone played well. The middies had time to rest on the bench and their running was terrific. Our less experienced players fought hard all day and their stick work is really coming on. Well done! Lots of promise for next year.
Hmmm. Next year? I told myself that if I got 5 goals in the last game I’d retire, but I only got 4 for the day, which wasn’t enough to end my career, but instead served to remind me just how good lacrosse can be when it goes well for your team and luck falls your way a little. So I guess I might just play a few fill in games next year............
John Webb, Senior player
Last Modified on 22/08/2016 10:42