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Plains Producer, Wednesday September 23, 2009
RESERVES v 2009 GRAND FINAL
Roosters are crowing! Two Wells claims flag with 70 point win reserves Two Wells 17.19 (121) d Balaklava 7.9 (51)
By Kym Jarman
T
wo WellS won this year’s Reserves premiership with a big 70-point win over the Balaklava Peckers. Reversing their grand final defeat of last season to the Bombers, the Two Wells reserves side ran hard from the outset, and took the sword to a Balaklava side that tried hard but simply didn’t have the pace and run to match it with the very fit and enthusiastic Roosters over four quarters. Young gun Rooster Tommy Taylor was the first to get his hands on it setting up his side’s first forward entry, which resulted in the opening goal to Shannon Uern. Although as expected many ball-ups ensued as both teams had nervous energy to exert, Two Wells were certainly employing a “no fuss” approach banging the ball on the boot. Their tactics paid off with Steven Larret booting their second off the deck in the goal square after a series of contests. Balaklava soon wisened up to Two Wells approach and Justin Walker’s marking ability in the Roosters defensive 50 began to halt the energetic side. Balaklava then started winning plenty of possession at the packs. Oren Hearnden and Mick Brougham were making Balaklava look dangerous, although the Roosters as a team were applying much pressure to the Peckers ball carriers meaning many
TWO WELLS Reserves celebrate their 70-point victory over Balaklava at Long Plains on Saturday. Pictures: Terry Williams and Lisa Redpath passages of play came unstuck. Shaun Nicholas and Peter Seccafien were busy for Two Wells also. Balaklava eventually broke through with Grant Willmer snapping a great goal before Kayden Zerk then got in on the action to reward the Peckers good work - and level the scores. Two Wells were not to be outdone however as forward/on-baller Michael Abdilla crumbed a contest beautifully for the Roosters to answer back. Pecker Nathan Yates then gained a
Michael Brougham takes a mark for the Peckers ahead of Rooster Michael Abdilla. INSET: Pecker Gib Palmer goes after a stray ball.
clear centre clearance which resulted in a point despite what was a great build up. At quarter time just seven points separated the sides although the match was shaping as expected with a young enthusiastic side playing a much different style to the older more experienced outfit. Both sides were looking ok! Quarter time: Two Wells 3.2 to Balaklava 2.1. It was Balaklava who opened the scoring in the second thanks to a Yates snap from deep in the pocket. Balaklava had another chance moments later when they received a free for downfield – they could not score however. At the other end Steven Larrett received a free kick and advantage was paid with Shannon Uern opening his account for the Roosters Balaklava answered back through Jared Cmrlec and the match was becoming an exciting and see-sawing affair. Two Wells then almost out of nowhere grabbed the ascendancy. Bryce Hart, Abdilla and Ross Coleman were all suddenly on fire and the match took an emotional twist when Owen Allmond’s classy side-stepping display netted him a major while lifting the roof off the stadium. Two Wells foot skills were amazing in this period. Abdilla mirrored Allmond’s efforts just a minute later and kicked another beauty - evading three “would be” tacklers, and once Jason Becker had chimed in on the act late in the term the minor premiers were suddenly out to a four goal lead at the main break. Half time scores: Two Wells 7.5 to Balaklava 3.5. After half time, with Balaklava needing an obvious lift in intensity the match went up yet another gear. It certainly wasn’t resembling a mid-May APFL reserves clash that is for sure. Two Wells got the first of the second half and again it was off the back of superb play from young guns Bryce Hart and Tom Taylor. They had cut opposition sides apart all year and now they were doing on the big stage. It took a Pecker youngster to break
RIGHT: Captain Darren Applebee and vice captain Cameron Lamont hold up the shield.
the momentum as Brad Michael put his body on the line to win a hard ball before handing to Yates who found Leigh Wright and in turn Matt Angel who took a leading chest mark at full pace. He made no mistake with the kick and Balaklava were still in the hunt! Shannon Uern then found himself loose and on the end of a kick at the Roosters half forward line, he took a dash and two bounces before finishing from out wide. Peckers playing coach Gib Palmer then received a free kick and kicked an important goal for his side. The match was still see-sawing with Balaklava looking the goods at times. Pecker midfielders Aaron Williams, Grant Willmer and defenders Mick Brougham and Pete Georg were all playing their guts out but the sheer numbers Two Wells had at the contests was smothering the Peckers ability to move the ball cleanly. A bit of feeling crept into the game just before three quarter time and a ‘square up’ and two 50 metre penalties cost Balaklava dearly with Steven Larrett kicking his second goal. Three quarter time scores: Two Wells 10.12 to Balaklava 5.6. The last term started and although Balaklava were within striking distance, after the break and with the extended reserves quarters in finals matches it was soon imminent that Two Wells were going to have a lot more legs to run out the contest. Owen Allmond took a great mark but Brian Warneke missed a sitter in front of goal. He missed again moments later but by the time he had a third shot a few minutes later Two Wells enjoyed
almost all the possession with Bryce Hart setting the place alight. When Hart’s kick set up Warneke for a “third time” lucky shot at goal the match was all but slipping away from Balaklava – and Two Wells knew it with Warneke’s post-goal celebration being almost jocular. The ball spent much time in the Peckers’ half soon after but Shaun Nicholas was important down back and Devon Hardiman too was stellar in doing a great job on Balaklava’s Leigh Wright. For all Balaklava’s good work they were unable to add a goal in this period. Two quick goals to Larrett at the other end just about sealed Balaklava’s fate with the margin now escalating out of control - although the Peckers did reply soon after through Justin Walker. When Abdilla set up another goal to Warneke who snapped from deep the winner was known but “by how much?” was the question. A great midfield run-down by Peter Seccafien typified Two Wells desperation on the day and late goals to Roosters Uern (his third and fourth) and Cavallaro saw the Roosters finish off their last match in what was a dominant season. Balaklava’s late passage of play with Aaron Williams passing to Hearnden who found Angel for goal was perhaps a sign of the future at Peckerland. All in all a brilliant team display from Two Wells redeemed their loss from the year prior and had their captain Darren Applebee and his coach smiling on the premiership dais. Final score: Two Wells 17.19 (121) 7.9 Balaklava (51).