B Grade Match Report - Semi Final
11-Sep-2009SHOC: 10.4-64 defeated HENLEY: 6.10-46
GOALKICKERS: Quigley 3, Lipari 3, Kimber 1, Sweatman 1, Gordon Smith 1, McCullum 1
BEST: Wooldridge, Ryan, Quigley, Lipari, Winstanley, Burns, Von Burtouch
MATCH SUMMARY:
The SHOC B grade have capped off a very successful year by making the Grand Final after beating Henley at Henley in the second semi final.
In what was arguable our finest 3 quarters of the year, we really did not give a full strength Henley an opportunity. Our attack, pressure and intensity on the ball carrier was outstanding and our skills in moving the footy by hand or foot were the best they have been all year.
An opening term blitz of 5 goals to 1, with Scratcher booting 2 and the raging bull Matt Lipari having an amazing 13 possession 2 goal quarter started the rot. We had Henley covered all over the ground where Matt VB and Joe Mc sizzling on the wings, Bourny proving a major handful at HF, Sprogsy and Tom Murdoch shutting down important small forwards and Mitch Ryan and Buster Buick on top of ther gigantic forwards.
Melon also was having a day out – a 10 mark, 15 hit out opening half really set the scene for our on ballers.
Things continued that way in the 3rd quarter with more of the same intensity and great skills on show. A Sammy GS beauty with a minute to go in the 3rd quarter put us 6 goals up. Again, the mid fielders, particularly Chris Burns and Chad Winstasnley were winning the ball in close and using the footy with precision.
The last quarter was a bit of a let down and a real eye opener in terms of what Henley are capable of as a footy side. They won 80% of the ball and for a fleeting moment it looked as though they may have been able to pinch the game. The turning point in the final quarter was a fantastic Mick Sweatman pack mark which put an end to Henley’s enthusiasm and last quarter effort. In the end we ran out 18 point victors, a score that probably flattered Henley slightly.
It was a committed 4 quarter performance that all 22 players should be proud of. We could easily have named 10 or 12 players in our best such was the impact so many had on the game.
So here we go again, 3rd time lucky we hope. There does seem to be a different feeling heading into this years GF than previous years, while no disrespect is intended, a more focused approach on ‘not having the job done yet’ seems to reverberating through the group.
I am thoroughly looking forward to the next two weeks and particularly having the opportunity to win a flag with such a fantastic bunch of blokes. Bring on September 19!
GOAL OF THE DAY – Sweaty’s beauty in the 3rd quarter – from the boundary, under pressure at a crucial stage – dribbled it through with 3 Henley players hanging off him.
MARK OF THE DAY – Mick gets the gong again! Last quarter, Henley are coming, a long kick to the top of the 50 and a brilliant Sweatman pack mark – and it wasn’t even in front of a Grandstand!
QUOTE OF THE DAY – I’ve always liked this quote from Gerrad Healy after a Geelong win in the finals: “The monkey’s off your back Billy!” I hope to be saying the saying thing about myself in a couple of weeks.
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