Heart stopping win for a spot in the Grand Final
SPENCER GULF – Second Semi Final
| Port | 1.1 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 10.9 (69) |
| Cent | 3.4 | 3.5 | 6.10 | 9.10 (64) |
Best: Port – J. Neary, J. Penny, T. Underwood, J. Corrieri, G. Phillips. Central – D. Shillabeer, S. Curnow, D. Myles, C. Crabbe, P. Byron-Boles. Goals: Port – G. Phillips 3, C. Smith , Z. Hutchinson , T. Underwood , C. Stephens , J. Neary , B. Mudge , J. Penny. Central – D. Shillabeer 3, T. Miller 2, R. Morris 2, B. Lennon 2
Summary
What a game! We knew that the side and intensity of current dual premiers Central would rise come finals and it was pleasing to come out with a hard fought victory. The wind made the game a slugging affair that required courage from both sides.
We did start the game well into the wind and generally played well in the similar third quarter. Disappointingly in both quarters we leaked 2 late goals after the 20min mark of both quarters – thats half their score nearly! Add to that 2 of these goals plus another 3 were from our errors, a poor cross, handling mistakes etc. We missed quite a few goals and opportunities if we picked it up clean but that is finals pressure.
Central did play exceptionally well into the wind in the last quarter to score 3 goals in their best patch of the game. Interesting point though it was their smaller players that set them alight not their bigger ones. Clearly Shillabeer was a danger all day but their runners pushed the ball out and forward to get clearances and forward entry into the teeth of the wind.
The most pleasing aspect of the game was the refusal to toss it in. We were under the pump being 13 points behind at the 22 minute mark and there are times through the year we may have put the queue in the rack, but not now! That refusal to believe the game was done, the continual surge forward was great. Then the last 3 minutes after we hit the front was fearless body on the line stuff, crash in at all costs! Four players had double figure 1%ers led Stephens with 15 (11 spoils) & Penny (7 tackles) plus Tom 12 and Jacob 11. Free kick count 25/23 our way including 5 each in the last quarter.
Positives from the game
• Super defence, so much of what we did was very good- only 4 times has a side kicked 10+ goals against us.
• Desire and desperation – excellent.
• Never say die attitude • Fight back from 12 goals thumping only 3 weeks ago • Great even spread of good players again- team effort • Very pleasing to lift under extreme pressure and Burford and Neary leaving the ground- good excuse to toss it in not taken!!! • Great discipline- no 50’s!!
Points we need to work on
• Our errors opened up 5 of their goals –dropped marks / poor cross / spoil to hot spot instead of boundary side etc • Our shepherds dropped off in the 2nd and 4th quarters 9 & 4 compared to 16 & 14 in the 1st and 3rd. We dropped off looking for the long quick kick. We must still do all the hard stuff with the wind as well to give the ball carrier time!!! • We need a third man up in the contest in our forward line to help out. • Talk was better but always looking to improve this. • Didnt capitalise on our time with the wind and some fumbles cost us clean possession
Well we now sit and wait to see who we play. Dont particularly have a preference but will go for a look on Saturday. We must not rest on our achievements to date and put it all on the line Saturday week. We must remember that whilst we are the ones entrusted to carry the colours on GF day, we only represent the Port Football CLUB and thats who we are playing for and who we must win for!! We look forward to the opportunity.