AFLDD MATCH REPORT
Goondiwindi Hawks vs. Coolaroo Roos
Round 8 – 21 May 2011
Billed as the “AFLDD match of the round”, in a physical match Coolaroo had to work hard to overcome a spirited display by Goondiwindi to record a 42 point win.
Over the past few years, the Hawks have been the “bogey” club for Coolaroo pushing them to the limits and even causing an upset win at Goondiwindi in 2010. Hawks continued this tradition in a bruising encounter with Goondiwindi taking the lead from the first ball up.
The Hawks rattled the Roos but Coolaroo pushed back in the second half of the first term kicking a couple of quick goals but the Hawks remained in front at the first break with a slender 2 point lead.
From the outset, Goondiwindi continually pressured Coolaroo in the second term with some outstanding teamwork taking the game up to their opposition, which allowed the ball to move forward into their forward line more regularly and allowing Hawks’ Joe Verney to capitalise in front of goal.
Hawks increased their lead at the half time break to be in front by 13 points.
Coolaroo scored the opening goal in the third term but the Hawks battled on. It was a physical third term with both teams unwilling to give up possession and scrambling over top of each other for the ball.
The Hawks were holding their own yet the Roos were able to win centre clearances which gained them the lead for the first time in the match just before the siren leading into the final term. The Roos went into the final break with a 7-point buffer.
Hawks’ captain and players’ player, Jeremy Leahy, together with Ben Kent played consistent football throughout the entire match. They tackled hard and chased their opposition providing many opportunities to regain possession.
With fresh bench players available, Coolaroo took control of the final term, winning centre clearances, and whilst the Hawks continued to battle hard, they just ran out of legs. Coolaroo scoring a 6 goal final term to win a hard fought match.
Goondiwindi’s Corbin Sellen and Fraser Baxter led by example providing a strong dimension to the team, showing great determination and how second and third efforts can often turn over possession. Andy Thomas provided great support in the middle and the forward line with Eric Maunder also putting his body on the line to get many possessions. Tyson Hagiel again rucked tirelessly with Joel Neilsen providing good support in the ruck in the closing stages of the game.
Hawks’ coach, Stephen Dukes, was pleased with the team stating, “It was another good team effort by the boys but fitness failed us in the final term.”
“The team really took the game up to Coolaroo and we believed that anything was possible. In the end, despite our fitness problems, the boys provided some inspiring football.”
Saturday sees the Goondiwindi Hawks hosting the Toowoomba Tigers in the seniors on “Crownie Day” whilst the junior Hawks will play the Toowoomba East Stingers in the Under 12s
and Under 14s. There will be some great tussles on the field on Saturday, so come along and support the junior and senior Hawks.
Final Scores:
Coolaroo Roos: 2.1 (13), 5.3 (33), 10.6 (66), 16.8 (104)
Goondiwindi Hawks: 2.3 (15), 7.4 (46), 9.5 (59), 9.8 (62)
Goondiwindi Best: Ben Kent, Jeremy Leahy, Corbin Sellen, Fraser Baxter,
Andy Thomas, Eric Maunder.
Goondiwindi Goascorers: Joe Verney 5, Tyson Hagiel 1, Jeremy Leahy 1, Corbin Sellen 1,
Parker Baxter 1
Coolaroo Best: Andrew Parker, Matt Dolley, Carl Horsfall, Alex Horsfall, Mitchell
Sampson, Aryton Henderson
Coolaroo Goalscorers: Darren Copland 5, Mitchell Sampson 2, Alex Horsfall 2,
Aryton Henderson 2, Chris Jackson 1, Corin Sankey 1, Ian
McIntosh 1, Adam Ottobrino 1, Kyle Hartfiel 1
Kim Thomas
Goondiwindi Hawks
Last Modified on 21/06/2011 11:42