A fired up and physical Red Cliffs outfit were determined to end our journey last Saturday when we met them in the first final.
However it wasn’t to be as the Robinvale doggedness shone through to put an end to the Red Cliffs season and a turbulent week for the football club.
Out preparation was obviously not perfect as there were many distractions leading up to the game. Not prepared to make excuses we knew we had to be ready to go on Saturday if we were to continue our finals campaign further than the first final.
Red Cliffs came out hard; they were physical and first to the footy and it started to show on the scoreboard. In comparison we were made to look a second rate side as we made uncharacteristic errors, went away from our game plan and displayed little confidence in one another.
Come half time the scores were 6 3 to 3 6, we were playing poorly but still within reach. After a chance to reset and rejuvenate, we touched on what we need to do to get ourselves back into the game. It wasn’t anything new, it was about getting some predictability back amongst each another. Like kicking long, playing on, taking risks, not over complicating things.
The third quarter was our best effort, as our tackle count grew so did our confidence in one another as we started to use the ball better and get back to the team plan.
Justin Neyland was superb for us all day, as worked tirelessly, especially after Leon Johnson went down with an ankle injury.
Our midfield started to dominate with a 7 – 1 dominance of centre clearances.
At the end of the third quarter we had our noses in front for the first time. This was the perfect motivation for our last quarter revival.
As I think back I find it difficult to recall the quarter in its entirety. Like many of you I was taken on a ride of mixed emotions as we kicked away to a handy 14 point lead to have it eroded away by a gritty Red Cliffs team.
A couple of brilliant individual performances right on the death knocker saved us from expulsion as players and supporters alike stood tall, nail less, and relieved that we had survived by the narrowest of margins.
It could have very easily been the other way, and as a player I think it is worthwhile giving that a moment’s thought. What would have you felt like? Did you give absolutely everything? Was your preparation methodical? Would have you been content to finish up last weekend?
Congratulations to all players on the day and a big thank you to our supporters who braved the wet conditions. Another congratulations must go to Donny Falvo who finally broke the record for the most SFL games ever played. On behalf of all the players, well done mate!
We have two weeks to fine tune our game to be ready for our Preliminary final. That means doing absolutely everything in our power to improve, in readiness for this game.
Finals footy is a different game all together, there are no second chances nor is there any room for the “What if’s”, and most significant of all is that the team is the only thing that matters, individual accolades mean nothing.
Website Editor