Round 5 - Roosters Fall at the Last Post

Our Mighty Roosters had the honour of taking its hard-earned place in the traditional Anzac Day clash.  The Grand Final re-match against Centrals.  There was no further change to the 4 announced on Thursday, including the loss of the two big guns, Ladhams and Motlop.  In the 1st stanza, Centrals  attacked first but our defence stood firm.  Our first few attacks were cut off at half-forward.  Younie affected a gutsy spoil to keep the ball in the area on the grandstand flank.  Centrals finally troubled the scoreboard attendant, scoring from a rather soft relayed free.  We managed to repel further dog attacks.  Brett White got ironed-out in a marking contest at half-back. After a  promising run out of defence, Ryswyk missed his target.  The turn over led to Centrals 2nd.  Younie and Wintle combined at the re-start to boot it forward.  The recalled Walker got a handpass to O’ Brien.  He was caught high.  As he went back to take his kick, a mini-melee ensued. The Umpie was on the spot and awarded 50.  O’Brien went bang, goal.  Centrals quickly replied.  Younie and White then failed to capitalise on 3 opportunities.  
Another burst out of defence saw Archard and O’Brien linkup to get it to Walker, from 50, he missed.  Minutes later at centre half back, Ivens was in the contest, two dogs charged in and accidentally butted heads.  They went down like Ten Pins – STRIKE!  No harm was done however.  Centrals peppered the goals in time –on and should have been further in front.  Scores at the first huddle, 1-3, 9 to 3-6, 24.

In the 2nd term, there were some early stalemates.  Centrals broke the goal drought first then took a real strangle-hold of the contest with another.  North were under relentless pressure and putting themselves under more pressure because of it.  Another goal to Centrals saw us go 32 points down.  It wasn’t looking good.  Alleway was moved back to weather the storm.  It payed immediate dividends when Allens marked and passed to White.  His booming  kick was strongly marked overhead by Stewart who converted from 40.  Once again North’s defence was put under immense pressure; However, Centrals were wasting chances.  We took advantage.  Allan and Lonie linked up to pass to Schubert.  Schubert kicked to half-forward.  In the contest Allers was taken high.  Younie kicked the goal.  The Umpy called it back.  Alleway drilled it.  Entering time-on, O’Brien copped a high one and had to call for another spare head.  Once he had it screwed on, his free hit the post.  He made ammends minutes later.  He marked a classy pass from Younie.  From a slight angle in the pocket he scored.  Moments later Walker failed to make the distance with a set shot.  Centrals shot it down the other end to score.  At the long break the scores, North 4-7, 31 to Centrals 7-9, 51.

In the Premiership quarter North had to settle early.  It was a tight 10 minute period under the bright 2nd half lights both sides missing opportunities.  McIntrye showed great courage at one point, marking on the last line.  Halfway through, North broke the 2nd half stalemate.  Wright and White combined through the middle.  Stewart received a free in the contest of White’s kick. He drilled it.  The Roosters were well and truly back in when a slick run out of defence ended with Brown.  From the flank, Brown centred it to White  (White looked for black or green, but he was out of colours).  White drilled a beauty from 50.  From the restart, young Wright received the free.  Central players spat the dummy and gave away two 25’s.  The result – sausage roll to Wright.  North continued to attack but the Dogs got one against the run of play.  In the time on period White was denied an obvious free.  Moments later, after Wright missed a sitter, Younie passed to Brown on the wing.  Brown received 25, once again many Dog’s dummies were spat!  Brown booted a ripper from 50.  It was a two point ball game at Lemon-time, North 8-10, 58 to Centrals 8-12, 60.  What a rip-snorter.

In the last stanza events were mirroring the 3rd quarter.  That was until Brett White made a low percentage chip pass across goal.  It was ill-directed and was intersepted for a gift goal to the Dogs.  Unfortunately, this crucial error broke it open.  Centrals scored again immediately.  The Roosters were under siege.  Out ANZAC challenge appeared doomed when  Centrals booted their 3rd unanswered goal.  North Adelaide could get no forward momentum.  When it seemed all over we made a burst from half-back.  Brett White , Younie and Archard combined to send it forward,  Damon White won the foot race and ran into an open goal to reduce our deficit to 13 points.  There was plenty of time left.  The Dogs made better use of this time however and kept up the pressure.  Entering time-on, Centrals shut the door with a goal to Chris Gowans.  That’s where it ended.  The final scores, North Adelaide9-11, 65 to Centrals 12-12, 84

KYM CHAPLAIN
Match Reporter
April 28th 2008