Third Quarter Snooze Costs Roosters
Our Mighty Roosters clashed with Woodville-West Torrens at Prospect on Sunday. Vice Captain Younie was back after a 1 month injury layoff and Rory Sloane debuted. It was a battle for outright 2nd spot.
In the 1st stanza we moved it forward first. There were lots of bodies around the footy. 2 stalemates occurred. On the 3rd, the in-form Stribling got it out of the stoppage and ran on to score from 40m. The Eagles replied immediately, courtesy of a fairly soft free. After some good defence, Clarke was the catalyst of our next sortie. Over centre, Ackland booted it to the scoreboard pocket. Stewart took a speccy and "threaded the needle"! Minutes later Stribling took possession and launched it goal-ward. After a scramble in the goal square, Stewart got his hands on it and went BANG. The Eagles denied us a mini-breakaway by kicking the next 2. After not converting a few promising sorties we broke through for goal number 4. Allan was at the foundation. Ryswyk marked at half-forward. Sausage Roll. The Eagles replied late in the Stanza to ensure an exciting first period. Scores at The Huddle, North 4-1 to Eagles 4-0.
In the 2nd term we were doing all the attacking but weren't hurting The Eagles on the score board. Some 4 or 5 attacks came to zero. The pattern was broken when Pfeiffer was twice involved in a passage that found Alleway. The Big Man marked and goaled. After Stewart missed a chance, Allers was at it again. A lovely run beginning with Motlop ended with Clarke finding Alleway on the lead. He banged through his 2nd on the trot. As well a sour many attacks, we were applying great defensive pressure. Cunningham took some great grabs in this period (Mr. and Mrs C. would've been pleased!). At the long break we led 6-3-39 to 4-4-28.
In the pivotal 3rd quarter we missed an early opportunity. We payed for this as The Eagles scored twice to hit the front. The Roosters got it back again when Allan received a free and combined with Wright to find Alleway. Allers went BANG. The Eagles took the lead back again and then motored away. The Roosters disappeared from the contest. McGregor had moved to Full Forward and kicked six straight. A couple of rare opportunities amidst the onslaught were wasted. At Lemon-Time North Adelaide were Shell-Shocked as the match looked gone. The Scores, 7-6-48 to 13-7-85.
In the last quarter it looked even more beyond us as The Eagles scored first. Moments later, we finally converted a promising piece. Millar kicked to the square. Damon White, who'd been moved to Full Forward, won the scramble to score. He scored again minutes later after Allan, Thiele and Younie combined well. Our next thrust was cut off, but Allers stole it back again. Millar then booted it to the pocket. White received a free and kicked a lovely banana goal. We were making inroads. Ackland received a free in the goal square moments later to pull another one back. The Roosters sent it goal ward. At half-forward Allers gathered it like a rover and snapped an absolute ripper for goal number 4. Our momentum was set back when The Eagles scored to stem The Roosters flow. We weren't quite done with yet. A nice passage saw Thompson find White. From the boundary line in The "Ladhams Pocket" White sent a gorgeous kick straight through the middle. We moved it forward again. "Speedy Gonzalez" Thompson sharked the stoppage and thumped it to an unattended Wright. He banged it through. As exciting as the comeback was, there was a general feeling that it was all too late. This proved to be the case. As the old saying goes, "You Snooze, You Lose"! Final Scores, North- 14-9-93, Eagles- 15-11-101.
Kym Chaplain
Match Reporter
5.5.09.