The Bendigo Warhawks assembled at Angliss Reserve in Footscray on Saturday, to take ontop side, Footscray. A little confusion over which of the brand-spanking, new change rooms to use was soon cleared up, and the Warhawks warmed up with 15 players, in pleasant, warm sunshine on a flat well-mown strip. Footscray had 14 to start.
The first quarter was frustrating. Footscray jumped the Warhawks, who may have collectively felt the same apprehension that I personally felt, when taking on the competition’s top side. It gave Footscray a chance to put on 6 quick goals in the first quarter and Bendigo, despite some reasonable forward play, looked rushed and were not able to make inroads on the scoresheet and we went to the first break at 6-0..
In the second term, a useful quarter time discussion about how Bendigo would better play defence to limit the Footscray top scorers from running riot paid dividends and things began to look more positive. Bendigo had more of the ball, and won possession well off centres, but were still dogged by skill errors in the forward line, which were capitalised on by fast Footscray midfielders. However, the scoring rate slowed for Footscray, with the Bendigo defence looking much more controlled, and they were able to net only 3 for the quarter. Ian Lock broke the drought for Bendigo with a good dodging run on goal and we went to half time with the score on 9 to 1.
The third term saw the play even up considerably more, and Footscray found themselves making more mistakes in the forward line under great Warhawk pressure and only found the goal once, while Bendigo hit their straps and outscored them for the quarter, once with a wonderful team goal that started with a great clearing pass out of defence from Mark Reader, to John Webb, a quick pass to Angus Angiolella and then another to Will Kenny, who beat the goalie with a fine shot. A reminder of how the game doesn’t always have to be a slog, if stick work is sharp. Alex Orr also scored from a signature drive on goal and a great finish. The score now stood at 10 to 3.
The final term saw more improvement from Bendigo with settled play in the forward line and great movement off the ball and better backing up of shots. Again the Warhawks outscored Footscray in the quarter, with a great run and shot from Angus Angiolella, a second goal to Alex Orr, that I missed seeing (I had the sun in my eyes, subbing back on, but the lads assure me it was stellar) and finally, with not long to go in the game, a quick-stick goal on the crease by John Webb, from a really sharp assist from Russell Crofts. It would be ungentlemanly of me to dwell too long on Wookie’s calling of a time out and the resultant ref’s whistle interrupting my backswing, just as Angus had put a nice pass into my stick in front of goal. So I won’t do it. Footscray added two more to their total for the quarter, but looked nothing like the belligerent side that had blitzed us an hour earlier, and while they won the game, they conceded that for three quarters, Bendigo had them well held and had outscored them in the second half.
The final score was 12-6. Well done lads, it isn’t easy to come back when a team gets a quick start, and it speaks of our character that we never give up. Footscray would have been disappointed with their overall effort and failure to put us away.
Votes went to Alex Orr (3 Club votes and 2 Association) who was a big possession getter in the midfield and backline and always produces multiple possibilities to score in the forward line. Angus Angiolella was awarded 2 Club votes for a great game all round and his leadership and upbeat attitude to getting our team into the game. Will Kenny was given one Club vote and had a really sound game as well, showing just how quickly he’s taken to lacrosse in two years.
We should be pleased that Gino didn’t get votes this week. Three votes to the goalie is usually a troubling indicator that he got most use of the ball. We should also be pleased that our defenders didn’t trouble the scorer this week either. If our forward line is so bogged down that backmen are bypassing it to have shots themselves, then it’s also a bad sign that things aren’t working. This week, our defence clearing was much improved with middies and forwards leading for the ball and giving Gino and the backs options to pass, rather than having to run the ball up. We should also be pleased that our six goals came from five different players. When we win, it’s always with multiple goal scorers.
One last thing, thanks very much to Michelle Kenny for being our scorer for the day. Next week we take on another top team in Williamstown, at Maiden Gully and with all their other teams playing that day, we should have a fair and interesting game.
John Webb, Senior player
Last Modified on 19/06/2017 12:28