Mont today ventured the North Heidelberg Kennel at Shelley St, a ground that has been the grave yard of many a team over the years where even the umpires would rather get a dose of the flu than umpire there. In the past a game that was a finals preview on the eve of the finals would draw a huge crowd, but then it was wet, cold and windy. But then again, if you could sit at home with the heater on watching the Olympics, why would you go to the Kennel?
The day didn’t start well with the 19’s going down in their last game of the season. In the wet and wind the boys froze and probably wonder why they play football. I’m sure the after game drinks and the time to spend with each other and the rest of the club will be reminder enough of why we play footy. Well done to Grant Reinke for the season, and we hope to see you again next year.
The Reserve game pretty well went to plan with another convincing win as they march into the second semi final against Heidelberg in 2 weeks. North never troubled Mont as we cruised through the game, the big moment being when Daniel Eifferman and Joel Eley tried to kiss and missed giving each other a visit to hospital for stitches.
The Senior game promised much and in the end delivered little. There was a worry that North may use the age old tactic of belting Mont up to soften some players for the coming finals. There was a chance that North may promote a seconds player with the sole intention of causing injury, and no doubt the thought crossed the mind of those boys from Shelley St. Instead it was a senior player that saw an opportunity to do damage to Mark McGough, and after only 30 seconds of game time he gave Mark a punch to the jaw that could have ended Mark’s season. The ump thankfully saw it; in fact the blue long sleeved swinging arm in the brief ray of sunlight shone like a beacon and I think even those in Tassie saw it. Not even a minute of the game gone and North was already a player down as the ump gave out the red card. That will be one North player not participating in the finals of 2008, all things considered, a waste of 10 months training.
Mont had the benefit of a very strong wind that was playing havoc with everyone. Looking at the missed targets from both teams, the duffed kicks and missed marks, you could not believe this was a game between two of the top three teams in the entire competition. North couldn’t get the ball past half forward, and Mont when the pushed forward couldn’t kick a goal. In fact there was only one goal kicked for the quarter when Daniel Sage roved the pack and slotted through from 20m dead in front. Other than that there was set shots missed from all parts of the ground with the quarter time score reflecting how hard the conditions were.
Mont 1 8 14 North 0 3 3
The question for the second quarter was always going to be how far North could build a lead, as surely Mont had blown away all chances with poor kicking in the first quarter. North immediately went into attack from the opening bounce but like Mont in the first quarter North just couldn’t hit targets giving the Mont backs all the opportunities to clear the ball away. The game was being played in the North half of the ground as the wind acted as a barrier to the Mont forward line and it only seemed a question of time before North would break the game apart. Instead North found itself with a yellow card to add to its red card and again Mark McGough was the recipient of the free kick 40 meters out from goal on the boundary line. McGough kicked into the square where a waiting Brent Gutterson snatched the ball off the pack and slammed through the games first goal at that end.
Mont was now running the ball, teaming well and playing a game of keepings off. Unfortunately the North backs with the aide of the wind were able to repel the more consistent Mont attacks. Finally all the hard work paid off when Jarrod McGough found Daniel King alone 30 meters out directly in front of goal. Against the odds Kingy slotted through the goal to extend the North pain. North kicked their first goal of the game seconds before the half time siren, but Mont was well and truly in control with a handy lead and another quarter with the wind.
Mont 3 9 27 North 1 8 14
The third quarter was Mont’s chance to kill the game and they didn’t let down the supporters who braved the conditions. Firstly Gutterson made amends for missing in the first quarter to kick the first goal of the quarter. A few minutes later Sage did what he does best and kicked long and hard, but also kept the ball low so the wind didn’t pull it away and he goaled from some 70 meters away. This was quickly followed by a goal to Marcus Yeo from the boundary line from a set shot while Daniel Keenan snapped truly from the very same spot as Yeo, and Mont was dominating North. Jonathon Byron then danced with the ball and kicked a special goal and the game was all but over. Icing on the performance came when Gutterson caused a defensive turn over that saw one of the best team goals for Mont for the year. Micheal Stevens found Bomber who handballed and received again from McGough, two North players collided to release Joffa Byron who handballed to Brett Hayes who handballed to Yeo who was alone in the goal square and the goal was slammed home. By quarters end North had added only 2 points to Mont’s 40 points and the lead would surely be enough.
Mont 9 13 67 North 1 10 16
Mont continued their domination in the last quarter. Yeo goaled from a set shot while Gutterson ran around the North defence and into an open goal. The quarter finished with both Gutterson and Wayne Pavitt snapping truly from the same pocket to give Mont 4 goals to North’s 5 and humiliate North on the eve of the finals. It was a significant statement by Mont that the finals this year are not the sole domain of Heidelberg. Now we have the week off to rest up and get ready for the August 30th game against Heidelberg in the second semi final.
Mont 13 14 92 North 6 14 50
Go Mont!!
Last Modified on 20/08/2008 18:05