AFLDD MATCH REPORT
Highfields Lions vs. Goondiwindi Hawks
Round 10 – 4 June 2011
A minute’s silence as a mark of respect for our recently fallen heroes - Detective Leading and our two Aussie soldiers, headlined the Lions vs Hawks match.
It was a lot to ask of the Goondiwindi boys, with only 17 players, they had a huge task ahead of them. With nothing to lose, the Hawks presented extremely well in their quest to gather the ball and as a result dominated the first quarter. Despite their efforts they were unable to convert in front of goal.
In the closing minutes of the quarter, the Highfields Lions showed glimpses of their talent with some good passages of play, to do what the Hawks could not, convert in front of goal not once but four times to take a 10-point lead into the first break.
Goondiwindi’s Michael Lynn sustained a game ending injury in the second term, taking the Hawks’ player list to 16 with no interchange available. Step up, coach Stephen Dukes. With his experience and guidance in the centre, along with the steely determination of fellow on-baller Andy Thomas, they made a formidable combination in the centre clearance rates.
The second quarter equalled the first in the Hawks’ determination, although Highfields showed strong play, hitting their targets and converting. Goondiwindi, once again, was not as lucky committing some basic error along with strong defence from the Lions and inaccuracy in front of goal, contributing to seven minor scores.
Highfields still in front at the main break.
Both teams battled hard in the premiership quarter but found it difficult to keep their feet in certain patches, leading to a change of possession.
Corbin Sellen and team mate, Fraser Baxter, played some hard attacking footy making every attempt to move the ball into the Hawks forward line, where big Joel Nielsen stood tall taking some great contested marks but could not convert consistently enough in front of goal.
After a minor setback, young Tyson Hagiel played some determined football, winning plenty of ruck contests enabling Hawks’ on-ballers to gather possession. Hawks’ Darryl Martin at centre half back fought valiantly for possession, pressuring his Highfields opponents consistently to stop Highfields forward momentum, yet the Lions maintained their lead into the final break.
The final term was a real “guts and determination” effort by the Goondiwindi Hawks. They were exhausted, with no chance of a reprieve, yet they kept fighting until the final siren sounded and not buckling under the pressure. In fact, they outplayed and out-muscled the Highfields Lions in the last quarter.
The Goondiwindi Hawks gave it a red hot go, played as a team and played four quarters of football for the first time this season, and achieved their goal for the match but could not quite get over the line.
Highfields Lions scraped out a 30-point win over the Goondiwindi Hawks but they were far from impressive.
After the game, Hawks’ coach, Stephen Dukes, said that he was very pleased with his team’s efforts. “The boys played unselfish footy, they played as a team and played four quarters of footy.”
“We achieved our goal today, to play out the full game, despite our player numbers. The boys didn’t give up and gave it a “red hot go”.”
This week is a bye for all grades and on Saturday, 18 June the Goondiwindi Hawks will host the Souths Bombers in Under 12s, Under 14s and Seniors, which will provide plenty of entertainment for all.
Quarter by Quarter Scores:
Highfields Lions: 4.5 (21) 7,7 (49) 10.11 (71) 12.15 (87)
Goondiwindi Hawks: 1.4 (11) 3.11 (29) 5.12 (42) 7.15 (57)
Goondiwindi Best: Stephen Dukes, Corbin Sellen, Andy Thomas, Fraser Baxter
Tyson Hagiel, Darryl Martin
Goondiwindi Goal scorers: Joe Verney 2, Corbin Sellen 2, Andy Thomas 1,Stephen Dukes 1,
Joel Nielsen 1
Highfields Goal scorers: Zac Chimes 4, Hugh Stone 4, Jason Beadman 3, Luke Bianchi
Highfields Best Players: Clinton Watts, Jason Beadman, Bryan Keen, Zac Chimes, Dion
Harlock, Jarrod Hills
JUNIOR HAWKS
Highfields Lions vs. Goondiwindi Hawks
Under 12s
On a reduced sized field, the Hawks played a bigger and stronger team in the Highfields Lions but the Hawks did not let the size of their opposition intimidate them.
The mini Hawks tried valiantly to gather possession of the ball and move the ball into their forward line but to no avail. Their bigger opponents counteracted any such plans and brought the ball back towards the Lions goals, scoring regularly.
Despite not being able to score, the mini Hawks of Breanna, Jack, Xavier, Cooper, Mackenzie, Ayden, Connor, Lachlan, Jordan and Xander, displayed some great determination during the game as their skills continue to improve. Keep up the good work.
Final Score: Highfields 24.17 (194) def. Goondiwindi 0.0 (0)
Under 14s
These teams had already played each other in Round 1 with the Hawks coming away with a win in that encounter but the Highfields Lions side, sitting eighth on the ladder, had other ideas to even up the slate.
The match was truly a battle waged between these two teams. Experienced campaigners Ash Alex and Zac led from the front, determined to set a good example for the younger members of the team, many of whom were playing their second game of the morning.
The rest of the team responded in kind with Jack, Breanna, Connor, Marto, Mackenzie and Xander all giving 110% in their quest to play good footy.
The Hawks played like a team of champions, continually fighting for the ball and their second and third efforts were impressive. Goondiwindi challenged the Lions all the way to the final siren but could not manage to overhaul their lead.
Final Score: Highfields 4.9 (33) def. Goondiwindi 3.6 (24)
Kim Thomas
Goondiwindi Hawks
Last Modified on 21/06/2011 11:31