What a performance! Considering we were beaten by nearly 200 points 3 weeks ago to win by 48 points was a huge turnaround. We had the required 18 players for only the third time this year and actually had 20 so 2 subs was a luxury. The Cougars were 1 or 2 key guys down but still had more players than us plus the blues were missing Johnie and Nick Fisher as well as sam blackler.
So it all started well with Ross winning his first toss of the year. We kicked with the wind and even though we missed a lot of shots managed 5 goals to 1. We had clear winners all over the ground. Sean Butler playing his first game picked up numerous possesions in defence and cleared the ball like a 5 year veteran. Jay Johnson in only his 3rd game showed amazing second and thrid efforts and commitment to get the ball. This is what has been lacking all year and these rookies led the way. Justin Kent was playing his second game for the Blues and was looking like the focal point of attack close to goals as Taxi was manning up cloely on Richard Bradley.
Was good to see some second year players back for only their second or third matches and Scott Baines, and Hamish Thomas won their battles with the Cougars key forwards.
The second quarter was telling as the Cougars were expected to bounce back with the wind but defence shut down easy options to goal and they managed just 2 for the quarter to our 3. The Blues kicked the openning goal of the quarter in about 5 seconds thanks to some great ruck woirk from ross and an amazingly long kick from Jared. one of the highlights of the year!! To outscore the cougars into the wind set us up with a 5 goal lead at half time. We were winning most positions still and the pressure was telling with the Cougars arguing with the umps and missing shots that were gettable.
The 3rd quarter saw all out attack and we went into 3 quarter time 7 goals up. Justion was still leading hard and hard to contain and Glen Watson in only his second game was using the ball well and kicking to targets. To see players linking up with marked kicks form one end of the ground to the other was a sie we have missed all year. Sam dixon and Dan Young were instrumental in transferring the ball from backline to forwards time and time again.
The final quarter was there for the Cougars to take i if they wanted with a fair wind still blowing in their direction. Plus NZ rep Marty Swartz had just come on for the Cougars and Zac Swarmi managed well to keep him to 1 goal. We only gave away 1 50 m penalty and it was for stepping over the mark (marginally) to give them another goal but we still managed to outscore them again to win by 8 goals.
4 quarters all won by the blues!! it was a very polished performance. Shame we only have 1 game left.
Everyone contributed this week. It was a true team performance and AMAZINGLY there was no backchat to the umpires and the focus was the ball. Lets see a repeat of that next week.
So next week sat 29th 1230pm vs the Cougars again!!! Stay around and have a drink and watch the grand final between Bulldogs and Eagles. Should be a close match.
Be sure to get to training this week as we want to be motivated to have a repeat of this saturdays game. 6pm at Westminster part on Wednesday 26th oct
Last Modified on 23/10/2011 17:59