|
|
What the boys had been playing for all season had come to fruition, the double chance, and a tilt at passage straight through to the grand final. Standing in between was an unfamiliar ground, and the formidable Park Orchards. Templestowe Reserve was expansive, rain was threatening, and Fitzroy were kicking into the stiff 3 goal northerly in the first.
From the offset Park Orchards moved the ball to centre half forward, but Harris provided a contest and won a free. Desire for the ball lead to stalemate and 2 ball ups, from the second of which Park Orchards scored a goal. Mike got the clearance out of the centre but Park Orchards again moved the ball to the hot spot where Liam was fused to his opponent, and Max B cleared from danger. However Park Orchards were able to rebound, mark and goal. Mike took a mark, and passed to Aiden who was awarded a free kick, but Park Orchards regained possession and registered a behind. Despite the efforts of Ben, Charles, and Gus Fitzroy could not convey the ball past half back and Park Orchards had two misdirected shots on goal. Finally the ball was cleared from defense, marked by Lucien, through Harry H, to Aiden in the pocket who was able to have an accurate shot on goal with help from a shepherd from Jim. With the ball back in the danger zone Max B took the tap at full back, Declan cleared but Park Orchards were awarded a free and goaled immediately prior to the siren.
As coach Andy observed at quarter time, it was a sleepy start, yet despite being outplayed Fitzroy were still in contention.
With the use of the wind in the second there was optimism that Fitzroy could redress the situation. Charles effected a great smother and Declan took one of his typical strong marks. Free kicks to Andrej and Gus failed to be translated into scoring opportunities, exacerbated by a goal to Park Orchards. Park Orchards added another behind before they were awarded a free at centre half forward for a ruck infringement and scored another goal to take a commanding 28 point lead. Finally Fitzroy won a decisive centre clearance through Gus, to Noah who marked and kicked to the hot spot, where the ball passed rapidly through the hands of Otis, Gabe, and Otis again before George got a clear shot. There was a bit of delay in the signaling the goal as twice the goal umpire queried the central umpire's verdict. Noah made a good smother and then gathered the ball. Michael won two free kicks for being first to the ball, and then from a free kick to Aiden, Gus received and goaled. Chas relieved Harris in the ruck, tapped to Mike and passes to Max M, Noah, resulted in a free kick to Harris, whose shot was off line. Gus got the turn over from the kick in but his shot on goal was rushed.
Harris was back in ruck in the third quarter. Gus, Harry H, Charles, Declan, and Max M all made telling possessions. However Park Orchards were able to score a long goal with no defenders on the line. Declan took another great mark at half back but Park Orchards rebounded and with a breakdown in defense Fitzroy were fortunate to rush a behind. Further fortune followed when a Park Orchards shot hit the post. Mike won the ball, and with open space in front of him took off for a run and bravely bounced the ball for the first time that day. Gus took a mark, Harris won a free kick, Mike made a hard ball get, and Max M made a great smother and then followed up to win possession. A soccered shot on goal by Park Orchards was touched. Mike and Gus combined for a great 1-2 to initially clear the ball from defense, but then Fitzroy just seemed to be jumper chasing as a succession of loose Park Orchard's players combined for another goal. Gus and Harry H continued to present, Lucien and Robbie were stalwart in defense, but Gus was forced from the field after being struck. From a free kick at centre half forward Noah gathered and his unimpeded shot on goal was ruled as touched. To add injury to insult Noah had to leave the ground immediately after, having been struck in the face. Park Orchards finished the premiership quarter by adding a goal from a mark and play on.
At the last break Andy urged the boys to keep their heads up and remain optimistic.
Chas resumed duties at the ball up. A free kick to Gus, was marked by George who played on quickly to Gabe whose shot was off line. A long goal by Park Orchards took the margin to a seemingly insurmountable 39 points, but the 'Roy boys were not finished! A free kick to Robbie was marked by Gus, and then Harris, and converted. With rain starting to fall Gus won the ball and delivered to George, whose long shot on goal was touched. However from the kick in George won the turn over and kicked truly. Gus again propelled the ball from the centre to where Mike was awarded a free kick and majored. Mike and Noah were racking up possessions enabling a shot on goal by Ben that was ruled a behind. Offensive pressure resulted in the kick in being forced through for another behind bringing the margin back to less than 3 kicks. Aiden, Mike and Declan were now prominent, but Park Orchards put the result beyond doubt with a goal against the run of play. Yet Fitzroy were not deterred; Lucien kicked long to Andrej, who kicked to the hot spot where Harris was awarded a free and drilled a goal.
The boys now have to navigate a path to the grand final past the highly competitive Bundoora. It should be a beauty. Go 'Roys!
"Chicken Smallhorn" (the ghost of Fitzroy past)
Second Semi-Final