Roosters dazzle then hold

Our Mighty ’08 Roosters burst onto Prospect Oval on Saturday, “champing at the bit”. Our opponents for The Season Opener were The Eagles. Quite a few new faces and debutants lined up. Archard, Stewart, Burford, O’Brien and Brown. A few changes to the announced team. Team leaders, Wintle and White couldn’t take their place.

In the first stanza, North surged forward immediately from the bounce. McIntyre took a strong contested mark, but missed the shot. The Eagles shot it down the other end uncontested to score the opener. It was tight for the next 10 minutes. Our defence stood firm. After working it forward, Archard showed his quick hands in a congested area to get it to Allan. It ended with McIntyre who dished it off to Lonie. Lonie’s kick to the square was beautifully gathered by Ladhams who dribbled through our first. Minutes later, after Motlop hit the post, Archard presented with quick hands once again. He got it to Stribling in The Ladhams pocket. In true Lads style, he snapped a beauty. We worked it quickly out of the middle again. Archard missed a bankable set shot opportunity. Moments later, Coulter careered out of half back and nailed a long-bomb to Allan. He looked set to boot it to the square. He changed tack when he saw Younie free and chip-passed. The Unit said “Thank you, I like my chips with vinegar” and drilled it. In time-on we worked it out of defence. Ladhams bombed one in from Centre. In the ensuing scramble, Archard took possy and snapped a ripper Sausage Roll. Our first quarter ascendancy was reeled in a bit with The Eagles kicking 2 late goals. Quarter time scores were North 4 – 4 – 28 to Eagles 3-1-19.

In the second term, 2 minutes in, Sporn got it to Ladhams on the defensive side of Centre. Daddy Lads booted it to Half –Forward. McIntyre marked, dished it off to a free running Younie who created Sausage Roll no 2! The Eagles replied with another quick run from defence. Towards the ten minute mark, Jimmy Allan came off with an injury. The Eagles scored again to reduce our lead to 2 points. After Allers missed a tight set shot from the scoreboard pocket, the Eagles were looking to clear. In the pocket, Luke Jarrad bit off more than he could chew by weaving past Wright and Motlop. Moti caught him cold. “BALL” was the cry from the members. Wright took the spillage and goaled. In the Umpy’s infinite wisdom, he called it back for Motlop to take the free. He goaled (should that be 2 goals to us) Minutes later, Motlop scored another holding the ball decision. He centred it to Wright. His kick to the pocket saw Younie grab it and hand pass to Stribling, who booted his second. The Roosters were getting the upper hand when they repelled another Eagle attack. Motlop was on the end of if again. He sent Leroy Ryswyk away on his motor bike to boot us 21 points clear. Charity from the Umpy saw The Eagles get a gift and peg one back. A swift movement out of the middle then saw Ryswyk pinpoint a pass to O’Brien. He drilled his first for the Club from 40 metres. The Roosters capped off a productive 6 goal term with another piece of Lad’s magic. From a stoppage in the pocket Ladhams scooped it up in traffic, threw it onto the boot and watched it sail through. The Eagles got a valuable goal late in time – on. Scores at half time were North 10-6- 66 to Eagles at 7-2-44.


In the Premiership Quarter, another dash out of defence saw Lonie and O’Brien combine to put the ball to McIntyre. Initially he played on, but then had his set shot. BANG! GOAL! Moments later, a good run down the outer wing saw Younie hit the woodwork from 40. North Adelaide absorbed some pressure at the back then from a stoppage on the Wing, Ryswyk and Wright did a good old 1-2, then Leroy got on his motor bike again, gunned it over 50 and put it through. At the 10 minute mark we skipped 41 points clear. O’Brien did the hard graft to get it to Alleway. A quiet first half form the big man was all forgotten as he booted a prodigious 60 metre goal. Straight out of the Engine Room. We went again. McIntyre should’ve been awarded the free for running down Stewart, play -on was the call. Then down the other end Delvins nearly had his head removed in a contest! The umpy’s call, “ play-on”!!. Then the Eagles scored. Motlop replied with another poster. Minutes later, Coults burst out of defence again. His kick was beautifully marked by Allers. Incredibly, the Umpy called play-on (somebody give him a whistle and a pair of glasses!). On our next forward thrust , new Roosters , Archard, Burford and O’Brien combined to get to Wright at half-forward. He drilled it to put us 42 points clear. Schwarze playing a lone hand up forward for the Eagles kicked another one. From the re-start North shot forward through Stewart and Motlop. Wright gathered the crumbs and hit the post again. The Eagles scored again in time on, Schwarze would you believe? Moments later from the outer wing, the skill and class of Younie, Lads and Motlop combined to set up Archard for his 2nd goal. A 5 goal to 3 quarter had us leading 15-9-99 to 10-2-62 at Lemon Time.


In the final term, The Eagles got the opener. Just prior to this, Cunningham was disallowed a mark and was pinged for a free and 25 against him (I have no complaints about this one). The Eagles attacked again. It was tough out there. O’Brien showed his courage, backing into a pack to mark and then moments later sending a pass to Younie. In turn, Younie found Allers. Alleway’s opponent, ex Rooster, Mcentee gave away 25. Allers slotted his second. He missed everything with his next set shot from a tighter angle. The Eagles capitalised on this. When they went forward again, Delvins swooped on it. The Roosters linked up beautifully, Lads booming kick was gobbled up by Allers. He booted his third from a tight angle. At 39 points up we looked home and hosed. The Eagles had other ideas and continued to attack.  3 goals on the trot were scored  before North had a chance to put it to bed. Alleway marked a pass from Wright. In turn Allers found Leroy. From right in front Ryswyk got the kicking yips and missed. He nearly made immediate amends when he intercepted the kick-in. He dished it off to O’Brien. His kick his the post! In time-on, Lonie had a chance to seal it again. His shot from the scoreboard pocket HIT THE POST!! When Ben Schwarze kicked his 8th, our lead was reduced to 6 points. To the blessed relief of the Rooster Faithful, the siren called time on the Eagle charge!  The Final Scores North 17-14 – 116 to Eagles 18-2- 110.


Kym Chaplain
Match Reporter
March 2008