Round 12 - Prospect Floods, No Rain!
Our Mighty Roosters clashed with The Panthers at Menzies Crescent on Saturday. It was another crucial game. To consider ourselves worthy of 4th spot, we simply had to perform against sides just below us. No further changes from selection, except for AFL considerations (again!).
In the 1st stanza, South "hit the ground running" and opened the scoring. Our first opportunity came through Alleway. It didn't eventuate. Minutes later a lovely hustle saw Ryswyk and Sporn combine to send it to Allers Territory. He marked and went BANG. South then put their noses back in front, courtesy of a Marshmallow free from the Umpy. For the next 10 minutes, North were involved in some attractive forays that ultimately came undone. Speedy Gonzalez, Wade Thompson broke the pattern when he whizzed across half-forward to score. This opened us up a bit as moments later there was a beautiful link up from defence. Lonie was on the end of the chain and drilled a beauty. Lonie, along with 2 other crucial link-men Ivens and Ward were influential in sending Brett White away for another link -in-the-chain goal. A fiercely competitive opening saw us go into the first huddle with a 14 point lead. 4-6, 26 to 2-0, 12.
In the 2nd term, North let a few chances slip, which allowed South in to drill their 3rd. We muffed some further opportunities, but were being well served in defence by the likes of Cunningham, making the most of his recall (Each time he got involved I could hear THE FONZ saying, "AAayyyy! Well done CUNNING-HAM!") After a brief lull in the scoring, a slick combination from Allan, Lonie and Ryswyk set up Alleway to take another strong grab. He played on and goaled. Minutes later, poor disposal in defence by North gifted the Panthers a goal. On the stroke of half-time, Matt Wright took possession at Centre Half Forward. He was knocked from pillar to post. He got up, played on and kicked a ripper. At the long break, North Adelaide held sway, 7 - 6, 48 to 4 - 2, 26.
In the Premiership Quarter, the game was there to be taken by the scruff of the neck. The Roosters took first grip. A good combo from Krieg and Younie saw the influential Allers mark and Sausage Roll. South evened the 2nd half ledger minutes later. Enter Clint Alleway yet again. A strong mark by Wakelin led to Brett White and Archard combining to sort out a pass to Allers. Clint went BANG, goal. Another slick move out of the middle saw Ryswyk and Younie get it to half-forward. Delvins was infringed upon and got the free. After missing a sitter earlier in the day, he made no mistake this time. Not content with that, Delvins was involved in the construction of our 4th goal of the quarter. He sent O'Brien burning across the turf to boot his first. The Roosters were on a roll (or 2 ham sandwiches)! South couldn't get any penetration due to the Rooster flood. Minutes later O'Brien was involved again, this time in tandem with Archard. The multi-skilled Archard drilled it on the run. The Roosters had well and truly put their hands up when the game was up for grabs. No greater example of this can be found then when Allers booted his 5th. His opponent had possession on the edge of the goal square, somehow he dispossessed him, swivelled around and banged it through. At lemon-time we had taken ownership of the game, 13-8, 86 to 5-3, 33.
In the final term, the Roosters worked it forward. After one unsuccessful foray, Matt Wright was taken high at half-forward. He drilled the free. ALLWRIGHT! The warrior James Allen hobbled off half way through the term (before I could despatch my wheelchair to him). South then got 2 goals in succession. We had a few fruitless forays following this, then a 25 m penalty in the middle made it easy for Sporn and Younie to find Stewart on the lead. The goofy footer banged it through. As the clock wound down, South got one more, but by then the fat lady in the red dress was standing atop the magnificent new disability viewing area singing. The Rooster ARIA! Final scores,
North 15 -11, 101
South 8 - 6, 54
Kym Chaplain
June 21st 2008
PS My message to Jars is this. I know "FLOODING" is against your religion, I'm not a fan of it either, but if it gets Our Mighty Roosters across the line then so be it. When "The Flood" was on, our boys still played attractive footy and still kicked 15 goals.
PPS I commend The Club for erecting the new wheel chair enclosure. I have dubbed it "THE TAJ MAHAL"! Once again the North Adelaide Football Club are setting the standard.