Here I sit on K’garri, formerly known as Fraser Island. I am surrounded by birdsong, but with a severe lack of that most familiar warble of the Floreat Pica.
I’ve finally got enough coverage to replay this weeks game.
I feel that the Woodsmen have been a little down in the last couple of weeks and so am looking for a convincing win over a mid ranking bunch of triers.
Q1 started well with an early goal from Billy Elliot to open his account. It seems our lesser lights had come out on a mission. McCreery, Elliott, Hyphen, Markov all getting plenty and doing good things with their delivery. Markov has been a revelation. Ballard stands alone amongst the Sun’s defenders. I would love to see him in the black and white.
Kicking in danger appears to have been a focus for the umps recently. One paid against Ollie’s toe-poke was doubtful at best. I can’t remember ever seeing a serious injury for a kick-in-danger and I don’t think it needs to be a focus for umps.
Billy Elliott’s second goal was one for the ages. One on one contest at ground level saw Elliott get past Ballard, just get a hand to the ball to tap back into the field of play prior to the ball going through for a behind. Then following up to the get back to the ball in the goal square to toe-poke through for another major. Backline achieves it’s usual standard to deny repeated moves forward by the Suns. Crisp and Bobby put their hands up for a goal each to see the quarter end. Elliot should have received a free for front on contact on the 50. Pies lead 4. 4 -28 to Suns 2 behinds .
I felt like I was watching the Harlem Globetrotters in action. Tricks galore.
Q2: A clinic. This is as good as I’ve seen them play this season. Almost perfect connection back line to forward line. Having said that, the Suns will to run hard seems lacking. Goals to Cox, Elliott 2, Daics N, Bobby, Lipinski, even Frampton came alive with a running goal from 50. Noble just continues to rack up intercepts with only one clanger. Moore, Howe and Murph continue to mark everything or at least equalise contests.
Suns finally scored a major 8 mins to go in the second. Half time scores Coll 11.6-72 Suns 1.4-10
The Globetrotters trot on.
Q3: It’s asking a lot to expect the level of excellence to continue for 4 quarters. As it turns out the Pies faded a little and the Suns stepped up. Highlights were Noble’s baulk and goal, Markov’s goal, Frampton shows me the way again, McCreery applies vice-like tackles (hopefully not sited for one more aggressive almost sling). Frampton being dakked and A Hudson’s commentary “Not too many cracks appearing in the Pies game today” . Yes I like Dad jokes!
Low-lights were too many. Missed goals by Billy Elliott, Chekkers’ poster, Pendles on his right. Lipinski gets done for out on the full (surely the mechanics of the situation prove it was a push in the back!), Suns kick the last four of the quarter . Maynard hurt his suspect right shoulder with a hyper extension. As expected he doesn’t leave the field. 14.10-94 to 5.7-37
Q4: Pies return to their possession game. Cameron and Little Billy score another each. Billy has a bag of 5.
King is paid a mark after a 5 metre defensive kick. Moore can only laugh. Ump what were you thinking? King misses, probably through embarrassment. Chekkers had a chance to kick on the run but decides to pass it to the Texan. Poor kick. Kick the goal Chekkers! Daics J to Hyphen off the left boot for another major. All class. Tay Tay scores the last on the run. Would have been nice to pass it to Billy alone in the goalsquare.
Final scores Pies 18.12-120 to Suns 5.12.42
A wonderful return to form. Almost impossible not to give every player votes. A consummate team performance.
3 Votes So difficult. On pure numbers N Daicos but that’s sort of expected now. Johnny Noble was everywhere, and yes, had 1 clanger but based on pure over-achievement I’m giving it to Noble.
2 Votes N Daicos
1 Vote Billy Frampton
I know there were a whole lot of players equally as good as Frampton today but he took a couple of marks against King that were clean and strong and scored an excellent running goal giving him two for the game.
Apologies to Billy with 5 goals, the entire back line, Mitchell, Pendles, J Daicos, Oleg, Adams, Cameron.
No, Sorry I take that back. Billy Elliott gets the 1 vote nod purely on the basis of his extraordinary 2nd goal. Sorry Big Billy.
Hot Pies!
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OK the hard work starts this week, because the contenders will be up and about, starting with the Dogs on Friday night. Melbourne’s iffiness has opened up that vital fourth spot to St Kilda, Footscray and Adelaide. Whoever gets this prize will in all probability face the Magpies in week one of the finals at the MCG, deemed by the pundits as the easier of the 2 qualifiers, the other being Port in Adelaide.
We must win these matches, otherwise our old enemy the Combine will be eying off a home final in Brisbane, where they will be virtually unstoppable.