PHC Round 4 Match Reports (5/5/12)
Springwood Pumas vs Wilston Grange
Brian Davidson, Lenny Phillips & Corey Pitts respectively report on last Saturday’s matches.
SENIORS: Gifted goals diminish Pumas’ efforts in Murrihy’s 200th game.
Round 4 saw the Pumas at home for the first time in Season 2012. Coming off a Bye and a wash out against Surfers Paradise in the past 2 weeks was not an ideal preparation coming up against a red hot Wilston Grange outfit that beat the Western Magpies in a close one the previous week.
The 1st quarter was an even contest around the ground with both sides’ Inside 50 count very even, but with our lack to convert those opportunities and the Gorillas making the most of their chances saw them kick away to a 5 goals to 1 first quarter. Vasterink was dominating the ruck contests around the ground while Jake Smith, in his first game for the year, kicked our only goal in the term.
The 2nd quarter was a lesson in hard gut running and spreading hard from a contest, our opposition’s strength and they did it well in catching us off guard on numerous occasions. A 7 goal to nothing quarter wasn't really a reward for a lot of the good things we were doing and with 1 goal 5 on the board we were wasting chances going forward.
The Midfield led by Witney were getting ball forward, with new players Eddy and Gautrey finding a bit of the ball themselves. Sponneck had a first half that provided a lot of highlights and was a reason why we weren't further behind.
The 3rd quarter was again a lot better than what the scoreboard showed. We had 5 scoring opportunities to their 8, unfortunately we scored 5 behinds and they manage 5.3, another example of one team making the most of chances and one not. A lack of discipline gave them 2 easy goals which was disheartening to the backline who were busting their gut to keep them out. Preston-Smith was getting on top in defence and Vennerman was providing a lot of run off half back.
The last quarter finished with a 6 goal to 2 advantage to Wilston Grange, young Wallace capped off his night up forward with a goal of his own, running into an open goal, and then set up the play of the night with a strong contested pack mark, quick play on which resulted in Murrihy running into an open goal to finish with a major in his 200th game. Lack of discipline again cost us 4 goals in the second half and a failure to convert opportunities with 3.12, we had chances.
Good signs were the boys committed to sticking with Coach Opbroek’s game plan. New players at the club, Frazer, Eddy, Gautrey and Wallace all contributed well throughout the game. Vasterink dominated the ruck, Witney worked hard around the ground and at the stoppages, Preston-Smith with 6 spoils was better than the whole team combined and Menz and McGill were working hard up forward and on ball.
Wilston Grange 23.11 (149) def. Springwood 3.12 (30)
Goal Kickers: J.Smith, S.Wallace, S.Murrihy
Pumas’ Best Players: J.Frazer, J.Menz, M.Vasterink, M.Preston-Smith, D.Witney, J.McGill
RESERVES:
A very disappointing first half in our first game in three weeks saw us go down by 61 points to Wilston Grange on Saturday.
Whether it was that we came into the game flat, that we had to blow out the cobwebs after no games in a while or simply weren't switched on, I'm not quite sure, but not many games of footy are won after being nine goals down at half time.
That we rebounded well in the second half was a credit to the boys but we can no longer accept losses of this size and as I said after the game, there are definitely some lessons to be learned about how we are to approach games and the mindset needed to begin the first quarter. I absolutely include myself in this and learned a hell of a lot, and I'm chomping at the bit to get another opportunity next week to take those learnings and put them into another game.
There were a lot of positives when we started playing more direct footy in the second half and we can go into this week’s match with some confidence that *IF* we turn up ready to play from the first quarter, we can certainly have some success as a team.
Individually, I'm not sure that anyone would be happy with their four quarter performances but plenty of players showed glimpses of form. Let's make sure everyone gets on the track this week and we can turn 25-30 minutes of good footy into 80 minutes next week.
Wilston Grange 18.13 (121) def. Springwood 9.6 (60)
UNDER 18:
Round 4 saw the young Under 18’s at home against Wilston Grange. Going into the game we were optimistic about our chances to come away with our first win. The boys had arrived with a good attitude, knowing from the start we only had two boys on the bench due to the ever-growing list of injuries.
First quarter we came out and did what the coach asked; hard at the ball, lots of tackling and run and carry. We got on top in the middle with three more inside fifties then the opposition had, yet went in at quarter time behind by three points.
We started the second quarter slowly but we got better with increased ball possession. We were able to move it quickly into the forward line with young gun Nate Murcutt taking some strong contested marks. Yet while dominating possession and inside fifties, we were unable to capitalize on the score board and went in behind at half time when I felt we were the better side.
Third quarter as the say is the premiership quarter. Seven goals to one showed us this is where we lost the game. Our run and carry and tackling pressure that was there in the first two quarters, had dropped off ten percent and that was enough for Wilston Grange to get a sniff and a run on. Chris Kassulke and Mitch Ramsay continued there dominance in the middle whilst we lost our captain to what looks like a season-ending shoulder injury.
Last quarter I wanted us to get our tackling pressure back to put some heat back into the contest and the boys responded well. It was pleasing to see some nice passages of play with the ball being moved from back line to forward line by hand. At the end of the day the game got away from us through lack of work rate at crucial times and yet I feel we will only grow and be stronger as a group going forward.
Wilston Grange 14.10 (94) def Springwood 7.5 (47)
Goal Kickers: B. Cherry 3, J. Mackey , M. Wallin , C. Kassulke , J. Hall
Best Players: M. Ramsey, C. Kassulke, B. Cherry, D. Balm, B. Pezzelato, J. Hall
This Saturday sees the Pumas travel to Mayne who has been most competitive this season in registering wins over Surfers & Maroochy and narrow losses against Wilston Grange & Sandgate. The Pumas’ backline will again have to work hard to contain the likes of Luke Faulkner with 11 goals thus far this season.
Photo: Shane Murrihy played his 200th game for the Springwood Pumas.
Last Modified on 20/09/2012 21:35