Bulldogs storm into Grand Final
North advanced into the 2012 Grand Final with a all the way 36 point win over West, who gave and honest effort, but in general terms, failed to execute the skills required under the intensity of one on one finals footy.
West won the toss, and for reasons only known to them, decided to kick against a breeze that all day (3 previous games) had been worth two or three goals.
At quarter time the game was a long way towards being over for the Robins as they trailed by 29 points, 7-3 to 2-4.
West won round 18 by 31 points, and clearly their number one priority for the Prelim should have been to be in the game at quarter time, and had they kicked with the wind, who knows what might have been. In finals “catching up” is always a tough gig and history is full of Captains that “get it wrong”. It’s a bit like a Test match , think about bowling....then BAT!
Tom Billings (pictured) was outstanding for North’s, playing 80% game time in the middle and that was no doubt a “card” North Coach Karl Berryman has been holding for 6 weeks. Billings showed his big game experience and clearly got North’s moving from the square.
The 5 ins” for North made a world of difference to the team. Jayden Kelly & Quentin Beavan were sensational on ballers all day, Matt Dempster was a rock at full back, and Jake Napier was sold forward early and then back. And then there was Anthony Henderson, back for his 100th, and did he turn it on! A 5 goal haul as a small forward is an outstanding days work, and the Whiz certainly had the North bleachers eating out of his hand. A similar performance in the GF and the Bulldogs will be home!
Other great players for North were Wes Burton & Codie Howard who ran far and wide finding the Sherrin, whilst BJ was the BJ we all know and admire!
The only drama for the Bulldogs is Jarrod Rudduck who was lame at the end of the game and the dilemma of missing players Patrick White and Chris Billings.
The major difference in 7 days for the Bulldogs was the even spread of contributions and in the end ....a ten goal turn around.
For West the season that promisesd so much is over, beaten in a Prelim for the 2nd year in a row. Have they improved? The answer is very much yes, as the 2012 season has been vastly more competitive than 2011 when Central’s were gone by mid year. That allowed teams to “coast” to the finals, but this year it was game on to round 18. West matched it with all the Clubs week in week out, and played an exciting brand of footy. Another off season in the gym, a season that has exposed about ten juniors, a super impressive U/18 team and the Robins have the platform for success.
The day didn’t go to plan, but all in all the West supporters need to stay strong, and back the kids!
Cynan Smith presented well and booted 3, Brett Rose was a solid runner, as was Daniel Milne, Nathan Kickett worked hard but failed to convert was down back Darren Zanette was rock solid as was Shane Dalby at both ends of the ground. Chad Ryan and Nick Agius battled on all day, as did all the Robins, but they just failed to hit targets under the intensity of finals footy. If the hunger remains 2013 they can take another step!
A great final, AND a ripper GF looms...
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1QG
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1QB
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Q1PTS
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2QG
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2QB
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Q2PTS
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3QG
|
3QB
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Q3PTS
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4QG
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4QB
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PTS
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North FC
|
7
|
3
|
45
|
9
|
5
|
59
|
12
|
10
|
82
|
16
|
16
|
112
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West FC
|
2
|
4
|
16
|
4
|
6
|
30
|
7
|
9
|
51
|
11
|
10
|
76
|
North FC
Goal Kickers: A. Henderson 5, J. McConnell 2, &. Burton 2, J. Ruddock , J. Kelly , J. MC INNES , B. Clare , Q. Beavan , C. Howard , B. Johnson
Best Players: B. Johnson, J. Borlace, J. Kelly, C. Howard, T. Hack, A. Henderson
West FC
Goal Kickers: C. Smith 3, S. DALBY 2, J. Tonkin , P. Christos , B. Martin , C. Jones , N. Kickett , D. Milne
Best Players: B. ROSE, N. Agius, R. Howell, D. Milne, C. Smith, D. Zanette
Last Modified on 02/09/2012 08:55