Great Flinders football
WITH an 11-goal win, Lock burst Ramblers' bubble of elation from last week after defeating top placed Tumby Bay.
Despite the Roos starting with use of the north easterly wind, Ramblers were first on the scoreboard through their in form half forward Holman.
In reply Andriske was able to kick the ball into the square to see it soccered through for a major.
Ramblers replied quickly, but then lost their way for the next 10 minutes as the ball see sawed between defences and Lock peppered the goals for a score of 1-4.
Cummins, at full back, was playing his 100th game in style for Lock, capably backed by Chris Pearce, Heath and Halman.
At the other end the pressure was on Claughton, aided by Minhard and runners S. Fitzgerald and Cuddeford.
Cuddeford's determination paid off as he finally was able to find some space to run after collecting the ball from a spillage, and he goaled at the 18-minute mark.
A turnover from a minor saw Northcott return the ball with accuracy for Lock's third goal.
Inaccuracy by Lock again gave Ramblers the opening they needed and they were able to score a major just before the break to give them a lead against the wind of 4-4 to 3-6.
The Roos had plenty of room to improve after their slow start and were just holding their own according to coach Hetzel, with his counterpart in Pedler instructing his charges to use team-mates that Lock players were leaving unattended.
The second quarter was an event with both sides amassing nine scoring shots.
Ramblers drew first blood again.
This was followed by two consecutive brilliant tackles from Alistair Pearce and Agars, who were able to goal from the edge of the square, aided by clever shepherding in front of goals.
Pilgrim instigated the next Rambler goal as he got the ball to young Dunchue, playing his first A grade game for the season.
A reply by Andriske had the scores tied at this stage.
The game was intense as players moved the ball fast around the large Lock oval - a size that suits the game style of each side.
Minhard and Alistair Pearce were both taking strong marks over the ground in addition to ruck duties and supporting their defence as necessary.
Shawn Fitzgerald was doing his utmost to fire his team up, with support from Quigley and Starke for Ramblers.
Halman kept running and rebounding with Longmire and Z. Tiller supporting him for the Roos.
Some fancy juggling and footwork from Northcott and great groundwork from Andrew Hetzel saw their reward of majors.
Northcott was off at this stage with hamstring problems and within two minutes of replacing him Morton had added another one for the Roos.
Ramblers steadied and Quigley made no mistake after a free kick 35 metres out, and Crettenden was able to kick only his second for the day due to tight defence work.
The Roos went into the long break leading by one goal, 9-9 to 8-9.
Lock upped the ante during the third term and made good use of the wind.
They were running with the ball in groups and backing up their ball getters. Their one percenter rate lifted as did their success.
Holman battled manfully at half forward, often with three opponents, so had to reply on spillage possessions rather than aerial marks to drive his team forward.
In contrast the Roos created a lose man, which gave them the advantage when moving the ball forward quickly.
Four consecutive and unanswered goals in the middle of the quarter gave the Roos a 21 point lead, the biggest break of the day, while three consecutive points to Ramblers told their tale.
The Roo defence was brilliant and the tackling ferocious.
In what is known as the premiership quarter, the question was: had they done enough to put away Ramblers who had gone off the boil from a quarter?
One could be forgiven for thinking Ramblers went home at this stage since only four solitary points were added in their final term as the Roos took the game with two hands and added 7-2 against the wind.
A goal from Halman, having a stint at full forward, followed by a double act from the brothers Hetzel saw the lead blow out to seven goals and all fire went from the game.
Z. Tiller and Longmire each goaled and fittingly the last two Roo goals came from Andriske as he heads to other pastures for a few weeks. Lock will miss his football sense, five goal average and strong hands in their forward line-up.
Winding up at Roos 20-13 to 8-19, the league sees the Roos continuing to improve each week as predicted and with seeding winding up one would expect their fitness level to improve also.
One can only wonder if it was a one match lapse for Ramblers after their brilliant display last week or whether their reliance on three missing players was a major factor.
Times Scribe votes: Brad Agars 3, Isaac Halman 2, Alistair Pearce 1.
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