BROTHERS VS BITS
BITS dominated the grand final replay from the outset, jumping to a 5 goal lead at quarter time. 'The Animal' had 2 goals within the opening 5 minutes and the signs were ominous. However to the credit of Brothers fullback Tom Granleese he pulled John Beirouti back under control and he finished the game with only 5 goals, considerably below his game average of 13 goals.
What shows that BITS are a good side and will be hard to beat this year, is that they had a number of other players step up and provide the avenue to goal, Adam Rakip top scored for the day with 6 majors, returning Scott Muller chipped in with 2 and so did youngster Nathan Hogg.
While Brothers would be happy that they were able to remain very competitive after the 1st quarter, the damage had already been done. Brothers did have periods of the game which they controlled, however were unable to apply scoreboard pressure. BITS backline led by Adam Dickenson were solid again. Best players for Brothers included David Scott, Scott Smithwick and Jamie Searle.
Prediction: BITS by 37 points
Result: BITS by 62 points
Brothers Ashley Walkingshaw kicks gracefully
PANTHERS VS GLADSTONE
Gladstone winning is not a surprise, but the dominate fashion in which they won is a surprise. For the 1st time this year Gladstone was able to put together a 4 quarter effort. Gladstone held a slender 2 goal lead at half time, however after the main break dominated the game kicking 10 goals to 3 in the second half, 7 of which come in the last quarter while keeping Panthers goalless.
Mudcrabs coach Jason Chirgwin made so pivotal changes to his side, throwing youngsters Daniel Clay and Cameron O'Grady into the midfield. The 2 rising stars dominated the game and were well supported by Rick Windridge and Daniel Glover.
The lost for Panthers must be heart-breaking having gone so close to winning the week before and they would have rated their chances of winning at home against Gladstone. Positives for Panthers is that big-man Sam Carroll continues to provide a good target up forward kicking another 4 goals and youngster Matt Ryan seems to be back to the form that secured him runners-up in the league Best & Fairest only 2 years ago.
Prediction: Panthers by 5 points
Result: Gladstone by 55 points
GLENMORE VS YEPPOON
The game between 2nd and 3rd did not disappoint, with Yeppoon overcoming a slow start to get home in a cliff-hanger. Glenmore jumped the Swans early, keeping them goalless in the first quarter and jumping out to a 6 goal lead early in the second. Something then triggered the Swans into action because they were able to kick the next 6 goals and get within 2 points by half time.
The 3rd quarter was an arm wrestle with neither team able to break-away, however the Bulls would be ruing their missed chances. They kicked 3-6 in the 3rd and could have blown the game apart but instead went into the last holding just a 2 goal lead.
Yeppoon have shown all year that they finish games strongly and this one was no different. The Swans finished with 5 goals to 1 in the last securing a hard-fought, come from behind win. Finally Glenmore's goal kicking inaccuracy has cost them a win.
Best players for the day were Swans Leeland Gribble (4 goals), Matt Wallin, Trevor Robertson, for Bulls Cameron Imrie (2 goals), Tyson Payne and Derek Mangan.
Prediction: Yeppoon by 17 points
Result: Yeppoon by 8 points
WEEKLY NOVELTIES
WHO AM I???
- · Born in the 1960's in Dublin
- · Played both rugby union and gaelic football as a child
- · Was brought to Australia to try AFL after responding to a newspaper advertisement
- · Made by debut in 1987 against Geelong
- · Played 264 games on which I played 244 consecutively
- · Won a Brownlow and numerous other awards
- · Now the Chairman of the beloved club I once played for
Answer: Irish born, Melbourne Legend, Jim Stynes
FACT OR FICTION???
This weekend Geelong Cats superstar Joel Selwood will have played 100 AFL/VFL games quicker then any other player in history.
Fiction - Joel Selwood is the equal 5th fastest to 100 games, those ahead of him are Wayne Schimmelbusch (1463 days), Glen Jakovich (1483 days), Stephen Kernahan (1496 days), Shane Woewodin (1500 days), John Platten, Craig Bradley, Joel Selwood (1503 days)
KICKING GOALS WITH RAZ!!!
Photos courtesy of The Morning Bulletin and Gladstone Observer
Last Modified on 13/01/2015 15:37