ROUND 1 V’s WARBURTON

 Seniors

Gembrook Cockatoo travelled to the picturess surrounds of Warburton to kick off its 2009 season and was presented with perfect conditions for football.   Both teams were coming off disappointing 2008 seasons and wanted to have the best possible start to the new year.  

The game opened at a cracking pace as both teams were trying to take a physical approach into the game.  Warburton were the first to score a major, and kicked away to a two goal lead, before some strong marking by Emerald recruit Steven Gough across half forward, gave the brookers some scoring opportunities and a two goal lead just before the first break.  Two late goals by Warburton in ‘red time’ saw them take a two pint lead at quarter time.  The big targets up forward for Warburton were proving a handful for the broker defence who were giving them two much space to work in.

Both sides worked hard in the second half, but no one could break free and set up a big lead.  Gembrooks defence started to get on top, and the hard work of midfielders Rick Clark and Andrew Walker were giving the Gembrook forwards plenty of opportunity to score.   Unfortunately the brookers were wasteful in front of goal and this gave the opportunity for Warburton to creep back into the game.  Eight free kicks in the last ten minutes of the second quarter, all in Warburton’s forward arc, saw them wrestle back the lead, and had the brooker crowd scratching their heads.  Although slightly down at the long break, the brookers were working hard as a team and with Craig Clark getting on top and Andrew Shipp coming into the game, things looked set for a great second half.

The brookers conceded the first major after the break, but the workrate of the team was increasing.  Brett Andrew and Nathan Laversha were rebounding the footy from defence and the Craig Clark/Rick Clark combination had control of the stoppages.  Shipp was now dominating play and a serious ankle injury that ended his day midway through the third, contributed to stopping Gembrooks momentum.     

The game continued in a tight struggle for ascendency in the last, and no one could kick clear.  Craig Clark continued to dominate and was pushing forward to cause some real headaches for Warburton’s defence.  He took many contested marks and his awkward, but highly effective kicking style saw him finish with 4 majors.  The brookers were down and out but showed character and wrestled back the lead with just minutes remaining.  When Walker goaled late in the last, the scoreboard showed a 7 point lead to the brookers. Desperation of youngsters Ricky Causer and Laversha was standing out and a late goal to Warburton just before the final siren showed the difference to the brookers at just one point.  The siren came soon after and what seemed as a courageous Gembrook victory, soon turned sour when the goal umpires had different score cards to each other as well as the score board.  As the players stood anxiously on the ground waiting for a result for 10 minutes the time keepers score (different again to goal umpires) was taken and the match was awarded to Warburton by one point.  In today’s times it is very disappointing that the players do not have a true indication of the score as the game is being played.

Craig Clarks dominate display all day in both the ruck and up forward saw him receive the .Ian De La Rue Memorial  medal.  He marked strongly all day and gave first use of the ball to his midfield.  Assistant Coach Rick Clark worked hard at the bottom of the packs and the majority of his ball use was at a standard above.  Andrew Walkers silky skills stood out as did Brett Andrews desperation in defence.  However many players were down and there is plenty of room for improvement by many in the coming weeks.

A disappointing way to finish the day but the character shown by the playing group throughout the day, as well as in the circus like scenes that followed the final siren was encouraging.  The focus now firmly shifts to trying to stop the Silvan juggernaut at home this Sunday to ensure the season stays on course.