B Grade Match Report - Qualifying Final
11-Sep-2009SHOC 4.9-33 defeated TEA TREE GULLY 4.7-31
GOALKICKERS: Quigley 2, Kimber 1, McCullum 1
BEST: Whiting, Lipari, McSporran, Murdoch, Ellis
MATCH SUMMARY:
It is not often you can say you dominated a game of footy for three quarters, kicked a total of 4 goals for the match and won by just two points. But that was definitely the case on Saturday for our Qualifying final against Tea Tree Gully at Gepps Cross oval.
There was a terrific feeling in the room before the game and we took this feeling out onto the oval, opening the game in great style. Our mid fielders were winning the clearances and our pressure on the ball carriers from TTG was causing turn over after turn over giving our forwards plenty of opportunities to score.
However, we didn’t quite convert this dominance into score board pressure. Scratcher looked very dangerous up forward kicking two first quarter goals, Burnsy was setting the scene for us with his attack on the ball and fierce tackling and at quarter time the score was 2 – 4 to 1 point.
Unfortunately TTG lifted their intensity and we dropped off a touch in the 2nd quarter and this saw us make some silly errors with the footy. Sprogsy had been given the tough assignment of standing the A1 reserves leading goal kicker and was doing an outstanding job, before the umpire, who must have been a close relative gave him 2 of the softest free kicks in front of goal I have just about ever seen. TTG kicked 3 quick goals and suddenly led by 5 points. Then with 3 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter, the heavens opened and the rain came. It bucketed for a good 8 minutes saturating the ball, the oval and the players.
It prompted a re-think of our structure and tactics at ½ time and we knew the game would now be won by the side who WANTED it more. We certainly came out wanting it more. We again dominated the quarter, but given the torrential rain and mud, found it difficult to put the score on the board. With 5 minutes to go, we were still down by 3 points, but the pressure got a touch too much for TTG and two quick goals one to Joe McCullum and the goal of the year to the Big Bus Kimber saw us take a 9 point lead into ¾ time.
It became a game of attrition after that. We set a new record for the amount of throw ups and throw ins in a game as the contest became a real squeeze. A mistake from Nathan Muscat in the goal square saw TTG get to within a point with 4 minutes to, and then what looked like the winning goal to TTG was brilliantly smothered from Sprogsy who dived 15 metres, swam through a puddle and smothered a kick to save the goal. With time still remaining, we had the ball in our forward 50 for what seemed like an eternity but couldn’t quite get the point or goal we needed. A draw at full time saw us go to extra time.
Again we dominated the two 5 minute halves without just rewards. 2 points from gettable scoring shots had me wondering if we were going to get nailed right on the line, but enter Michael Sweatman and his broken nose. With blood trickling out and just 45 seconds to play, surprisingly the TTG players called for the blood rule and Mick obliged, walking to the boundary line. With no time on in the B grade, Melon jogged onto the oval and as the kick from the free kick went in the air the siren went and the game was over. A gutsy, well deserved 2 point win in atrocious conditions.
Matt Lipari was again outstanding for us, laying 15 tackles and having 25 disposals, Will Whiting continued his rich vein of form running hard all day and working fantastically in the mid field, Sprogs did a super job on a very tough opponent, as did most of the backline and Lester Ellis was back to his desperate, tough as nails self.
A fantastic team effort where all played an important role at some stage throughout the day.
GOAL OF THE DAY – Probably the goal of the Year to the big Bus Kimber. The ball slid towards the boundary line where the Bus picked it up and without hesitation rolled the ball through, over and around numerous puddles for a fantastic goal. A pretty important one too in the context of the game
MARK OF THE DAY – There weren’t too many marks all day but Griff took a fantastic contested mark early in extra time that would have been good on a dry day let alone with a soaking, heavy ball.
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