What a game this was! The Rovers 5th playing Marcellin 4th and we needed a win to keep our final’s hopes alive. Played on a ground reminiscent of the Boss in the 70s it took the players some time to get used to the idea of mud, a wet surface and a cow paddock type appearance!
Matty Innes and Jack Campion (welcome back) were sharing ruck duties and both playing well. The Duck was everywhere and knocked up taking marks and getting kicks. He ended with 4 goals for the day in a BOG performance. Similarly, Harry Hodges enjoyed the damp conditions and was running riot through the midfield and kept driving the ball forward. Veteran Ash Fisher took a couple of strong marks and was looking dangerous around goal
The second quarter started with a Marcellin flurry of goals to give them a handy lead and it was only when Sam Clements (yes, a cameo appearance) earned the free and then the 50m penalty that we steadied. Then followed goals to Tim Stewart and a classy goal from Daniel Terjung when he took the handball from the Duck and banged through a goal on the run. Nick Jackson, back in at last was pulling those marks down and ended with 4 goals for the day in a great return.
Down back the boys were holding firm. Lynchy continued his good form whether deep in the back line or running though the centre square, Tom Sharry improving with every game was doing good work. The skipper was playing his usual aggressive game and Dougie Ballard as reliable as ever on a half back flank.
In the third quarter we managed to increase our lead. The Duck was on fire and with Jacko wearing his kicking boots we put through 5.3 for the quarter to give us some breathing space. Probably the highlight of the quarter was the beautiful pass by Andy Culvenor who hit the leading Sam Clements lace out, he didn’t even have to break stride!
Again Marcellin in the opening minutes of the final quarter kicked 3 goals in as many minutes to take the lead while I think our boys already thought that they were home and hosed! Fortunately, Jacko pulled down a big mark on the 50m line and kicked accurately and a few minutes later Hodgy hit the leading Clemo 30m out straight in front and he made no mistake. We were 2 goals up with a couple of minutes to go and could finally relax!
MARCELLIN OC 1.5 5.8 9.9 12.13 (85)
HAMPTON ROVERS 2.2 7.5 12.8 14.11 (95)
Goal Kickers: J. Donald 4, N. Jackson 4, S. Clements 3, D. Terjung, T. Stewart, A. Fisher
Best Players: H. Hodges, J. Donald, J. Daley, D. Ballard, R. Lynch, N. Jewell
