AFLDD MATCH REPORT
South Toowoomba Bombers vs Goondiwindi Hawks
Round 2 – 2 April 2011
It was expected by some to be a one-sided match, the team that beat the 2010 Premiers, Souths, playing country side, Goondiwindi in Toowoomba. This was far from the perceived “reality and walk over expected” by the Bombers as they had to battle hard to earn their win against an improving Goondiwindi Hawks side.
Souths got off to a flying start in the first term, scoring quickly, before the Hawks had time to catch up. Basic skills errors early on as well as pressure from the Bombers’ zone attacks, let the Hawks down. Nevertheless, Goondiwindi fought back in the latter stages of the quarter to score two goals gain respectability to the scoreboard. The Bombers’ tendency, on their small ground, to blaze away at the goals resulted in twelve shots at goal for just four goals. Despite their accuracy in front of goal, Souths went to the break with an 18-point margin.
Pressure football was the name of the game in the second term with both teams scrambling for every possession. Goondiwindi picked up their intensity at the ball with young Tyson Haigel, playing a pivotal role in the ruck. Hawks fought hard for every possession, they tackled hard, chased and ran down their opponents to create a turn over in possession. Goondiwindi did not give up if things did not go their way.
Although the game was scrappy in patches, it was physical and Souths maintained the lead going into the half time break with a 22 point buffer.
In the premiership quarter, Souths came out with renewed vigour scoring the first goal of the term but once again inaccuracy and pressure from the Hawks in front of goal cost the Bombers. Hawks’ Brent Townsend revelled in the physicality of the game in the backline, constantly putting the Bombers’ forwards under pressure and clearing the ball from the Bombers’ goals.
Goondiwindi played disciplined football and tackled hard, outplaying the Bombers, bringing them within striking distance of Souths. There was only a 12-point difference, with the Hawks having the momentum going into the final change.
Hawks’ captain, Jeremy Leahy, led from the front constantly marking strongly and stopping the forward momentum of the ball into Souths Bombers territory, along with Corbin Sellen who was a welcome addition to the team providing yet another target in front of goal.
Goondiwindi Hawks showed that their opposition did not intimidate them, by playing good hard football and winning the scrimmages around the ground.
In a very shortened final quarter due to an injury to a Bombers player, the Bombers held on for a hard fought 19 point win over an improving Goondiwindi team.
Who knows what may have happened had the teams been able to play a full final quarter of football?
Hawks’ coach, Stephen Dukes, in just his second match in charge, stated “that he was very proud of the boys’ effort. They played disciplined footy, stuck to their game plan and showed good attack at the ball.”
“This was a great team effort, especially when a number of players had to play out of position. The boys gave it everything they had.”
This week the Hawks seniors have the bye, whilst the juniors are at home to Pittsworth/Millmerran in Under 12s and Under 14s.
Quarter by Quarter Scores:
Souths Bombers 4.8 (32) 7.13 (55) 8.17 (65) 9.19 (73)
Goondiwindi Hawks 2.2 (14) 5.3 (33) 8.5 (53) 8.6 (54)
Goondiwindi Goalkickers: Corbin Sellen 3, Jeremy Leahy 3, Joe Verney 1,
Joel Neilsen 1
Goondiwindi Best Players: Tyson Haigel, Corbin Sellen, Jeremy Leahy, Eric
Maunder, Andy Thomas, Brent Townsend, Josh Peut
Kim Thomas
Goondiwindi Hawks
Last Modified on 11/04/2011 19:19