Great Flinders football
RAMBLERS will play Tumby Bay in this weekend’s grand final after beating Lock at Lock in the preliminary final on Saturday.
Ramblers were at full strength for the game while Lock had regained their injured players but were without captain Dylon Kay and Rory Beard.
The first quarter saw Lock kick toward the southern end and it was evident from the first bounce the play was going to be tough and fast.
Ramblers went forward early but to Lock’s credit, their backline held Ramblers out.
Coach Griffiths was making an impact for the Roos in what was a real arm wrestle, with both defences playing well.
Ramblers coach Simon Pedler kicked the first goal of the day, followed by another one, then Crettenden kicked truly.
Lock responded immediately with some very skilful play for Glover to score his first for the match.
The second quarter saw Lock’s Gary Hetzel, Britza, Northcott and Griffith trying hard but their opposition was trying to stamp their control on the game.
Lock scored the first goal in this quarter through Northcott, before he then hit the post.
Scott Beard and Northcott were combining well with Lock seeing a lot of the ball at the start of the quarter, but were held back by Forster, Scott Mickan and Blacker.
Kelly and Hentschke were busy on Pedler and Jim Holman, and Chris Pearce was working well in the back line for the Roos.
Pedler took a strong mark to goal for Ramblers then Lock replied with a big one from Wheare, who was now in the forward line.
The Roos had hit the front for the first time but it wasn’t for long when Ramblers replied with goals from Pedler, Crettenden and Cuddeford.
Gavin Griffith continued to work hard; he found Northcott who was having a great time on his forward flank, and kicked a goal from outside the 50-metre line.
Ramblers soon replied through Pedler and Crettenden.
Zac Holman was trying to get some drive from his half back flank, and he started a great passage of play to end with another goal to Wheare, but at half time Ramblers led 9-5 to 7-5.
Lock started the third quarter strongly but their loose checking let them down to see Ramblers score early goals through Fitzgerald and Deslandes.
Pearce started to get on top in the ruck but the opposition was taking the ball away from the tap.
Griffith again showed his skill with what seemed a spectacular goal, only to see Forster touch the ball on the last line.
Ramblers were now showing their supremacy in the air and making position better than their opposition to extend their lead to 6-5 at the last change.
Ramblers had a good third quarter and it was going to make it hard for the Roos to overcome that 41-point deficit.
The Lock coach gave his charges some strong words of encouragement, with immediate success through a nice passage of play from Beard to Griffiths to see Glover kick his second goal.
Zacker had his hands full on Crettenden as he kicked another goal and Cuddeford was having an interesting dual with Luke Northcott.
Griffith got the ball to Glover, who kicked his third, and immediately responded with another one after a pass from Mellor, who started to show his football prowess only to see him hit the post.
In defence Chris Pearce was trying hard and rebounding the ball for Lock, but Holman managed to kick two goals and Fitzgerald one, as the Roo defence was becoming loose.
Alistair Pearce goaled near the end of the quarter for Lock to reduce the margin, but Ramblers came out winners by 38 points.
Best players for Ramblers were: Minhard in the ruck and around the ground; Scott Mickan, who was very strong at full back and played well; Shawn Fitzgerald, who was useful all round the ground; and Blacker, Pedler and Holman.
For the Roos there was no real stand out. Luke Northcott from the centre of the ground and forward; coach Griffiths all round the ground; Craig Wheare in the forward line; Chris Pearce never gave up in the back line; and Scott Beard on his wing played well.
It was a good clean game of football for the spectators to watch in perfect playing conditions.
Congratulations to Andrew Cabot for playing his 300th game.
Email a friend