Roosters Get The Chocolates
Our Mighty Roosters clashed with Port Magpies on Saturday at Prospect. Due to the earliness of the season the game was unfortunately a "Clash of the Cellar Dwellers"!
In the 1st Stanza both sides failed to capitalise on opportunities. Debutante Tapscott missed one chance then nailed a 2nd. He marked and goaled after some good work by Wright and Armstrong. Port replied in quick fashion. Minutes later Allan laid the foundation that led to Schwarze booting his first. Classy Rhys Archard , playing half backing the absence of injured Sporn , foiled a Magpie attack. We pushed forward, out of stoppage Schwarze marked and goaled again. Schwarze had really stood up after the loss of Younie and Gill. He hit the post with his next shot. Some solid defence for the remainder of the term kept port out. At the first huddle we led 3-5-23 to 1-2-8.
In the 2nd term, we missed a chance early. Port ran it down the other end. Grandpa Waterhouse received an Easter gift 25 and goaled. They scored again minutes later to get closer. After a couple of missed chances, Stribling got a settling goal, taking advantage of some good work from Thompson. Kriston had come in to replace brother Wade, ensuring that "Speedy Gonzalez" was replaced by "The Road Runner"! Moments later we let Port in for another after some indecisive defence. We then went on a 3 goal run, highlighted by some piercing runs from defence, Skipper White and Archard heavily involved. Archard intercepted beautifully which led to Ackland marking and goaling. Motlop was involved in a run that ended in the mitts of Alleway. He drilled it. Not intent with being a magician in defence Archard was on the end of another withering burst begun by White. Archard marked, played on and went Bang, Sausage Roll. Port managed to get one back to stem the flow. Deep in time-on we completed a productive term when Armstrong goaled, with Archard involved yet again! Scores at Half Time , North - 8-8-55 to Port - 5-3-33.
In The Premiership Quarter we went further ahead. Archard ( again) was the catalyst in a move that ended with Schwarze marking and booting his 3rd. At this point Port came roaring back into the contest. Jeremy Clayton was every where as The Magpies banged on 4 consecutive goals. They had a number of chances to hit the front during our 10 minute snooze but couldn't do it. Grandpa Waterhouse hit the post with one such attempt. Minutes later the faithful breathed a sigh of relief when Ackland marked strongly in front of the goal square and scored. In response to heckles from the Port cheer squad. Ackland " danced a jig"! Our relief was doubled when the nippy Motlop goaled on the run to give us a 16 point break, 11-12-78 to 9-8-62 at Lemon-Time. The Lemon- Time entertainment was almost as good as the game! 4 Port supporters (from the Alberton Chapter of Finks Motorcycle Club I presume!) were ejected from the quarter- time huddle. One bloke went absolutely bananas and had to be restrained by his mate!
In the final Stanza Port scored first and then wasted chances to bridge the gap further. Moments later a swift intercept (so swift that I missed it when I blinked!) by the Roosters saw Thompson mark and Sausage Roll at Half-forward. Port were still in it but North Adelaide slammed the door shut with a combination of great defence, Clarke and Cunningham figuring and 2 more goals to "Forward of the day" Ben Schwarze. Port managed one reply but that was a direct result of some wayward defence from us. Schwarze capped off a Magnificent day with his 6th Sausage Roll in time on. Right on siren time Stewart took a strong mark in the pocket. He "threaded the needle with a gorgeous kick". On completion, he "danced a jig" along with 2,000 other Roosters! Final scores, North Adelaide- 16-14-110, Port Adelaide- 11-10-76
K.Chaplain