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Caulfield  11.14.80   Defeated    St Bedes   8.9.57

A very even contest awaited us for the elimination final. St Bedes had been steady all year, playing them twice we had one win apiece albeit very different results each time.

Kicking with a 3-4  goal wind in the 1^st quarter  (Neerim road end) we started well however we didn’t convert the dominance in our play. Our forward line pressure was good and led to St Bedes turnovers , one being intercepted and goaled by Dorevitch from the boundary line.  Our backline led by Simpson was repelling attacks. At quarter time we had 10 scoring shots to 2 and led by 28 points which was probably a little under all things considered.  Good players were Spielvogel, Harris, T. Smith,  Baltas, Nixon and Webster

St Bedes came out and started to get on top in the 2^nd quarter and we were constantly under pressure and turnovers proved costly. We didn’t look like scoring a goal for the first 20 minutes of the quarter, while St Bedes had kicked  5 and the “mood” of the game was all St Bedes, We “pinched” two very late goals to Ball and Height from set shots   These  goals gave us a 10 point lead at half time.

The 3^rd quarter we started well and dominated. Webster left his man and intercepted and passed off to T Smith who goaled. Wigney was moved forward and took a well-judged mark in front of the pack and goaled. Lewis had an important 2 minute period where he created a turnover from a 50/50 contest and then marked and  guided a tricky kick from the flank for another goal. The quarter belonged to our backline, they were structured,  held their positions and backed each other. Simpson took two strong “crunch”  marks that repelled attacks that effected St Bedes  confidence. We kicked 3-6 and St Bedes didn’t score in the 3^rd quarter !

While we led by 34 points at the start of the 4^th  but kicking into a stiff breeze we kept the intensity up as any lapse could allow St Bedes back into the game. The “play of the day” was a mark by Manos on half back/wing who played on and gave to Baltas who run and bounced and burnt of his chaser and then gave to Lewis who then passed to Webster who marked and goaled. St Bedes scored two late goals but victory was ours by 23 points and playing O/M’s next week.

This was a even team effort, everybody contributed and played their role.