Link to Sporting Pulse Report

Caulfield  7.8.50    Defeated by    Fitzroy  8.8.56

Two games and slight percentage separated us from Fitzroy so a win would almost cement our place in the finals.

Nice to see Tom Smith and Steve Manos back after a long absence through injury and Tom Tonkin back for a cameo appearance from China.

Conditions were wet and slippery. We started reasonably well  with Diggle, Dylan Smith and Tonkin providing drive and opportunity to our forwards. Our backline holding firm with Blaich, Allis and Mowthorpe and Tom Smith playing well. Waldo took a strong mark in the forward pocket and unselfishly centred to Gagiero who then goaled with Matt Ball kicking another one.  At quarter time we held a 6 point lead.

The second quarter was evenly played. Losing Thompson early in the second quarter didn’t help but the boys rallied. Again Diggle was providing linkage and drive supported by Tonkin, Amos, Smith. Lyon kicked a nice “floater” in traffic with Benny Kuang playing in front and marking then goaling from the goal square just before half time to keep our noses in front by 5 points.

The 3^rd quarter we over used the football and Fitzroy were running and kicking long. We tried to “create” too much which led to turn overs and resulting in Fitzroy scoring. Slack was marking everything and Matt Ball kicked a long goal just before ¾ time to keep us in the game.

During the 4^th quarter Fitzroy were in control and we were always trying to play catch up.  When Diggle kicked a goal from the pocket with 3 minutes to play we were 6 points down. However a couple of potential  forward advances  were turned over and Fitzroy got the chocolates.

Unfortunately the pilgrimage  back to “Loafers” wasn’t as enjoyable for the boys after the game

Goal Kickers: M. Ball 3, B. Kuang, W. Lyon, O. Sweetapple-Gagiero, C. Diggle
Best Players: C. Diggle, O. Allis, T. Smith, T. Tonkin, Z. Mowthorpe, B. Slack