Last Saturday, the Over-38's Masters Bayside Bombers hosted Aspley Parrots at home, for a twilight game under lights. Of great significance to the Bombers team, long time stalwart of the Bombers, no.1 ruckman, Russell Bagnall celebrated his 100th game, cheered on by players and crowd of supporters, all were keen to see a win for the red and black, to make it a day to remember.
From the outset, it seemed the Bombers were determined to prevail. The 100gamer, Russell Bagnall continued to deliver wins in the ruck, feeding the Bombers midfield for numerous forays into the forward line. Adrian Roberts was all over Aspley like a rash, running to the furthermost parts of the field to set up play, while Gavin Kearney, Mick Kath and Mick Conway set up driving plays into the forward. Carlos Archille again proved elusive to opponents on the wing.
A cameo appearance from Tasmania, former captain coach and 6 time best and fairest midfielder, Michael Tait, exploded out of the centre from the onset. Tait kicked the first goal, on the run, breaking through the forward lines at full speed. The Bombers forward line moved with structure. Mark Hudgson was again at his top kicking 2 majors for the day. John Gibson, taking advantage of a well placed 10 metre Hudgson handball in traffic, kicked and converted from 15 metres out. Moments later Gibson chased down a contested ball across half forward, handballing to Gavin Kearney to score another major.
Midfielders Conroy, Roberts and Tait continued to clear the ball from the centre into the Bombers forward line setting up majors to Hudgson, and Gibson who turned his opponent inside out gathering the loose ball to goal on the run. The Bombers closed out the first term leading the Parrots by 26 points, with a superb Bombers defence holding the Aspley Parrots goalless.
In the second term, Jason March marked and goaled early, while crowd favourite, Rowie Neilsen set up many attacking plays with his run and distribution, kicking a notable running goal out of a half-forward contest 12 minutes into the second term, that brought the crowd to their feet. Tait again broke the lines kicking to Hudgson, to score another goal for the Bombers, to go into the half time break 24 points ahead of the Aspley Parrots, who didn’t capitalise on their scoring opportunities.
Throughout the game, the defence, as they have all season long, proved solid with Luke Crowe, John Fuller, fast breaking Kim Dry, Stephen Hazel and Steve Cueral, all going in hard to repel the advancing Aspley Parrots attacks, leading to several physical confrontations between the rival team. Simon Riley was again at his dashing best, clearing many contests away with long kicks deep out of the Bombers defence.
The final quarter saw Darren Smith continuing his good form kicking the opening goal from outside 50 metres, while captain courageous Luke Crowe fed Tait who on the run kicked his 3rd goal for the game. On the final siren, from a mark, March rolled in his 3rd major to hold out Aspley for an increased percentage on the scoreboard, clipping the wings of the Parrots by 44 points.
Appropriately, 100th gamer Russell Bagnall was chaired off of the field by his teammates, to oval wide standing ovation, with the team retiring to the club house to celebrate his milestone and another convincing win.
Goals: March 3, Taite 3, Gibson 2, Hudgson 2, Smith 2, Bagnall 1, Kearney 1, Neilsen 1
Best: Taite, Roberts, Bagnall, Fuller, Crowe, Conway, March, Smith, Gibson, Neilsen
Quarter By Quarter Scores
First Quarter Bombers 5.1.31 Aspley Parrots 0.5.5
Second Quarter Bombers 7.1.43 Aspley Parrots 2.7.19
Third Quarter Bombers 10.4.64 Aspley Parrots 4.10.34
Fourth Quarter Bombers 14.8.92 Aspley Parrots 6.12.48
Last Modified on 06/08/2012 21:36