The first home game for Sprana on the northside and it was a day that should have proved just how well the new merged entity was traveling. Football is a funny game sometimes, a game which Sprana should have won comfortably; they faced a very determined Rochedale and made almost every possible error in book. From sin bin’s to drop balls, to arm grabs to not kicking out from a penalty, we certainly saw a full range. The completion rate again is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Simple drop balls and pushing of passes resulted in two very frustrated coaches.
When we decided to hold the ball – funnily enough – we scored points. If you look at the score it may seem comfortable if you read it in a paper or on a website……it was far from that. Yes – we got the win, but with no disrespect to Rochedale – a stronger team on the day would most likely have put 30 or 40 on us. The first half seemed to go try for try and we went into the break with a very narrow lead of 18 – 16. With some words at half time and a few reality checks, we were hoping for a more concentrated effort in the second half.
It seemed to be going that way with some good tries scored by Blair Conlon and Vaughan Ericksen. As they say……all good things come to an end and within a few plays Rochedale had hit back and we were leading 30 – 24. There were so many opportunities to score and we should have scored plenty, but execution, lack of concentration and down right lack of enthusiasm had us in a position where it looked like an upset was on the cards. If we would have played with the enthusiasm and commitment Rochedale did, there would be happy coaches not concerned coaches.
Some level heads prevailed in the last ten minutes and tries to Blair Conlon, Zac Hook and Nathan Strudwick got the final score to 46 – 24. It was great to see Vaughan Ericksen back on the field after a 7 month lay off. Geoff Holcombe, Nathan Strudwick and Zac Hook all had solid games.
As there was an abundance of players yesterday and we ended up resting some starting players to overcome some niggling injuries, the coaching staff has decided that the team will be named by a Tuesday night. We will name a 20 man squad, with one player to drop off the bench on game day. I can understand the frustration this may cause to the players not selected in that 20 man squad, but there is a lot of rep football this year which will give some of those players an opportunity to step up into that squad. This may seem a little tough, but as coaches, it is tough to leave players out. Yes – we have that luxury, but it is not an easy luxury. We are in the number one SED Comp and our aim is to win the comp and in winning, we have to pick the best available 19 players to take the park. So please understand the situation we are in and respect the decision that has been made. As we have indicated to the players, it is a tough team to retain a spot in and that is why when you are given an opportunity – it is up to the player to take it.
Many thanks to the Webmaster for running the line.
Tryscorers:
Blair Conlon (2), Daniel Pederson , Dean Bannerman, Shaun Maloney, Geoff Holcombe, Nathan Strudwick, Zac Hook, Vaughan Ericksen.
Goals:
Jason McKee 2/2, Vaughan Ericksen 2/2, Shaun Maloney 1/2, Blair Conlon 0/1, Brent Hallett 0/2
1 Dean Bannerman
8 Zac Hook14 Ashley Karklis
8 Zac Hook14 Ashley Karklis2 Tom Ludwigson9 Nathan Strudwick15 Doug Harden
9 Nathan Strudwick15 Doug Harden3 Shaun Maloney10 Matt Goshnick16 Simon Parisio
10 Matt Goshnick16 Simon Parisio4 Blair Conlon11 Tim Cuskelly17 Vaughan Ericksen
11 Tim Cuskelly17 Vaughan Ericksen5 Nelson Allsop12 Daniel Pederson18 Ty Omundsen
12 Daniel Pederson18 Ty Omundsen6 Geoff Holcombe13 Brent Hallett19 Clae Donoghue
13 Brent Hallett19 Clae Donoghue7 Jason McKee
Out:
Shay NewdickRested
RestedDaniel BakerRested
RestedJosh LennoxRested
RestedAlex TallonRugby Union
Rugby UnionLiam McDonaldHills District Colts
Hills District ColtsDaniel IsaacNorths Devils Colts
Norths Devils ColtsJay AstonInjured
Injured