A very dark and gloomy day saw the Gingin Eagles travel east to Possum country looking to bag a win and keep within a whisker of Toodyay and Calingiri, sitting at first and second on the league ladder. The Gingin Reserves kicked the day off with another convincing win and it just goes to show that with 10 different goal scorers on the day, the depth in this Gingin Reserves side will go a long way not only this season but for many to come. The younger players stood up yet again in Brayden Rule, Jack Mackey and Keegan Woods who each kicked a goal. Not to be outdone, though, the young-guns were kept in tow by the experience of ‘seasoned’ players Adam Trinder and coach Paul Fewster. Best on ground for the Eagles was awarded to lanky lad Bradley Cook followed by Jordan Tai who kicked 7 goals and Todd Millen who kicked 6. For Goomalling, Rex Rowles was best on the day followed by David Watson and Ruben Mongoo. The final score read Gingin 22.17(149) to Goomalling 1.2(8).
The league game was set to be a close one with Gingin just two games ahead of the Blues on the premiership ladder. The temperature dropped to a chilly 14 degrees as the umpire balled-up to start the match. The first quarter saw some messy football from both sides and with just 2 goals each kicked for the term, it was time for the supporters to settle in for a long, tough battle. The second quarter saw Gingin come out firing with some young local talent on display in big Geoffrey Watson who was handy in the ruck and went on to kick 2 goals for the game. Rheece Bartel continues his form this season and was very good all game. At the half time break, Gingin held a 3 goal lead and looked like they might run away from Goomalling. Instead what actually unravelled was the talent in Goomalling’s Kyle Martin, best on ground and Brett Speldewinde amongst others who kept them in the game and back to within 16 points at the third quarter break. The game went to another level in the fourth as both sides realised what was at stake. Goomalling came out to kick 2 quick ones and as the cramping set in, it was a battle of the fittest and who could remain calm under pressure. As Goomalling racked up centre clearances, it was Gingin’s backline who had their work cut out for them, especially with the loss of in-form player Matt Bycroft earlier in the match to a hamstring injury. Gingin’s Andrew Fewster was having a ripper of a game up until he took a heavy knock to the head late in the fourth quarter and was taken from the ground. It was Goomalling’s Tyson Bird who made the most of the inside 50’s and who went on to kick goal after goal that saw Goomalling take the lead with just 8 minutes on the clock. Alas, with one last attempt to finish the day in front, Gingin couldn’t handle the pressure and let the opportunity slip straight through their fingers. The final siren sounded and the celebration from the Blues players and supporters proved just how much they wanted this win. The final score read Goomalling 12.12(84) to Gingin 12.10(82). A long drive home for Gingin and a tough game in store next week against Calingiri.
Last Modified on 16/06/2014 13:57