Finals Report Week 2 - A's secure a berth back in D1 in extra time
B Grade Report Uploaded - Coaches Report from Week 2 of the Finals
Finals Report - Week 2
A Grade Report
This was a victory for the ages, which I’m sure will linger long and fondly in the memory of those who saw it. An epic contest, tightly contested all day, a draw at full time which forced extra time, and ultimately victory and a berth in Division One for 2012.It was obvious early that this was going to be a game of real pressure around the contest, that both sides were totally committed to tackle and pressure, and that it was very different to a minor round game. It loomed from early on as a genuine arm wrestle with McEntee and Mulvihill dangerous as key forward targets for Uni, whist our onballers threatened to break the game open with run. We weren’t as clean as we would’ve liked to be early and often fumbled by slightly taking our eyes off the ball and trying to do things too quickly. This was just finals pressure and perhaps the weight of expectation. Trying too hard can be as big a problem as not trying hard enough. To some degree this is to be expected as emotions and stakes are very high. We tried to minimise this in our preparation, however, it still took us time to settle our nerves.
Scores were level at quarter time which was probably a fair reflection of the contest. In the second quarter, the game still ebbed and flowed. Tom Birch and Drew Litster kicked long set shot goals, then defensive errors conceded a useful lead to our opponents. We started to get more forward entries but wasted some chances before Peter Baccanello put his head over the ball strongly in an act of physical courage to win a free and goal, close to half time, where we trailed by 3 points.
We dominated the first ten minutes of the third quarter and looked as if we could forge a handy lead, however, we couldn’t quite get value for touches. During the game we hit the inside of the post at least five times and had at least three balls touched on the line so it was a case of so near, but so far. As was the case all day Uni kept coming and stayed in touch with desperate football and menacing tall forwards. We led by 11 points at three quarter time but the pressure and intensity had never waned from both teams.
The last quarter was a massive slog, with lots of ball ups and little scoring. We had chances but couldn’t quite capitalise and we pinned them in their back half for long periods. Late in the quarter Uni kicked a goal to draw to only 6 points behind. With under two minutes to go they were paid a free in a marking contest close to goal and converted. Scores level! They won the centre clearance, almost a mark to them close to goal, a ball up, lots of scrambling when even a rushed point would’ve spelt disaster and finally the siren as our defence held up desperately. A draw, which meant 5 minutes plus time on each way.
In the first period we seemed to have more run than them. Ben Moyle kicked a fine snap to give us the lead. Anthony Medhurst narrowly missed a difficult set shot but we led by 7 points. They had a late chance on the run but it sprayed wide for a point. We led by a goal as the teams changed ends.
The second period saw our backline under pressure early. Six to seven minutes can seem like an eternity in a game like this. Finally, a quick movement created a chance. Drew handballed to Luke Manuel who worked to his left. From a tight angle, he slotted a memorable goal. Has Campbelltown ever heard a bigger roar? Victory was ours.
Best players were Peter Baccanello, Ben Moyle, Craig Holm, Jack Nelligan, Scott Gilbert, Matthew Dawes, Ben Birch and Tom Birch.
There was great crowd and we really appreciated the vocal support.
Tim Hart
A Grade Coach
B Grade Report - Finals Week 2 - 1st Semi Final
The knockout semi-final against St Peters at Campbelltown is one game we in the b-grade would rather forget. We were completely outclassed and looked sluggish in our 25 point loss.
The first quarter was some off the worst football we had played in 3 months and it was very similar to the type of game we played in the first 6 weeks of the season. St Peters came out hard and we certainly didn't match them in the physical contests and we were pushed off the ball with relative ease. We also looked reactive rather than playing our natural game of the past couple of months and make the play happen. As a result we failed to register a goal until the 3rd quarter. Having said that, St Peters were unable to put us away and we were only 9 points down at quarter time and 22 points down at half time. Our backline have been great all year and again they were keeping us in the game with their man on man shutting down their direct opponent. Henry Schilling, first year out of school, Eamon Hanna, Andrew O'Connor, Nick Lyons, Charlie O'Malley, Chuck Norris and Chris Cialini have been a very stable back 6 all year and deserve a mention as a very good team within the team this year.
We needed a lift by many players in the second half and it was pleasing to see some of the real young players put their hand up. Dan Gilbert responded well in the second half and gave us some run and presence from a wing and Jeremy O'Leary did some handy things as a rover and resting in the forward pocket. Chris Cialini who worked extra hard to make himself available after dislocating his shoulder the previous week made an impact in the second half across half-forward. 'Young' Dave Eckert kicked 3 goals in the last term with some good contested marking and desire to win the ball. We really struggled to find a presence and a reliable target up forward, and our delivery into the forward line did nothing to help our forwards either.
The young men never gave in and it was pleasing that we won the last quarter, however it was too little too late.
Dave Eckert was 5th best for his second half effort and 3 goals in the last quarter. Dan Gilbert was 4th best with his second half efforts. The best 3 players were very good 4 quarter efforts. Eamon Hanna was excellent at centre half back and did a couple things up forward late in the game and got 3rd best. Our captain Jonno Trenorden has really grown into the role this year and leads by example with his efforts and intensity at the ball. Jonno was second best with his game from centre and never gave up all day, especially when things were tough early. Best player in the final went to full back Charlie O'Malley who has played some excellent accountable football in the past 4-6 weeks. Charlie easily won his position and his desperation when it was 1 on 2 or even 1 on three saw him clear the ball out of the danger area and as a 19 year old shows a lot of poise and makes good decisions under pressure.
While we didn't finish the year off like we would have liked, I would really like to commend the young men who represented the b-grade this year. At one stage we were equal bottom after round 7 with a win loss of 1 -6. To win 10 out of the next 11 games and beat quality opponents like Walkerville and Adelaide Uni shows a real fight and strength of character that we just need to display more consistently and in games where we are under pressure.
Thanks to my runner (slow jogger) Greg Thoday and Tom Wigley for all the help and insights during the year. Wiggs has the best win loss ratio of any coach in Australia, 1 game 1 win 100%. Well done mate.
Thanks to my team manager Jordan Lyons who got the job under bad circumstances, injuring his knee in the first half of the first game, but wanted to stay involved in the club. I know he's keen as to be on the other side of the white line next year.
Lastly a massive thank you to Vicki and her band of trainers that help out week in week out and to anyone who followed and supported the b-grade this year. We'll take this year as a learning experience and be bigger, stronger and better to tackle the div 1 b-grades next year.
Cheers Malks
Glen Malkin
B Grade Coach
C Grade Report - Finals Week 2 - 2nd Semi Final
report uploading soon
Steve Edwards
C Grade Coach
