Great Flinders Football
A Grade
LOCK v UNITED YEELANNA… Perfect oval and weather conditions at Lock, with a three-goal breeze was the backdrop for the Lock Roos versus Yeelanna Eagles match in Great Flinders showdown round.
Lock won the toss and took advantage of the wind to hold Yeelanna to a scoreless first quarter.
The match started out fast and furious with both sides throwing numbers at the ball. Lock cleared the packs on more occasions due to loose checking by the Yeelanna boys.
Henschke put Lock’s first major on the board after taking a great mark on the clubrooms side at 50 metres and made no mistake with the wind behind him. Within a minute A Hetzel goaled after a magnificent pass from evergreen A Pearce who was winning all the taps and a few minutes later a handpass from G Hetzel found Dolphin who posted Lock’s third at the eleven minute mark.
Stephens, Dufek, R Skinner and Watson were working hard for Eagles but the defence of Zacher, Mellor and Kay ably backed by Pearce always dropping into the holes defeated the forward thrusts of the Eagles.
A well-weighted kick by S Kay found Glover at the nineteen-minute mark to chalk up his first major for the day.
The intensity of the game continued with no further scoring for the remainder of the quarter.
Lock 4-1 Yeelanna 0-0.
Hetzel was pleased with his teams start and the intensity from his depleted side, whilst Murnane gave his side the expected spray for loose checking, their star being Jack Coleman who was playing a ripper.
The second quarter saw a reversal on the scoreboard, as Yeelanna did as their coach asked, used the wind and reapt the rewards.
Lock stated with a point with Yeelanna posting their first goal from an undisciplined free resulting in a set shot in the goal square.
Lock again got the ball into their forward line which resulted in a point and that was the end of their scoring for the quarter.
Lack of discipline again saw Meaney awarded a free fifteen metres out of posting his first of six majors for the day.
From here on, he won his position giving Yeelanna a forward focal point.
Glover, Crittenden and S Hancock all got themselves majors, with Jamieson, Hancock and little provided plenty of drive.
Pearce was having a great day clearing the ball out of the Eagles forward on countless occasion, but his team-mates were unable to use the opportunities he was sending their way. Wake, Britza and Beard were running and feeding the ball on but the Coleman led defence held firm.
Going into the long break Yeelanna led 5-2 to lock 4-1.
Lack of discipline saw a free to the unstoppable Pearce who sent the ball onto Glover. He was able to out-mark Habner who had been moved onto him. Again Lock was leading on the scoreboard.
The ball continued up and down the ground at top speed and mistakes quickly swooped upon.
At the twenty-minute mark, good eyes saw Meaney on the lead and found him, a feat reported a few minuets later. Unselfishly, he moved the ball to fist tie Yeelanna A Grader Todd, who posted his first and Yeelanna’s eight. Three quarter time saw two kicks in game at Yeelanna 8-3, Lock 6-5.
The wind had completely gone at this stage and one wondered how much was left in the legs of each side after a fast, intense and warm three quarters.
From a fast centre clearance Glover posted lock’s seventh goal bringing the difference to only four points. A few minutes later the Meaney magic responded in king.
The nest tem minutes again saw plenty of play with no scoring, both teams knowing what was on the line for their side. Pearce continued to dominate the ground – Habner eventually being put onto him; with Britza, Wake and the Hetzel du working their butts off.
Counterparts Watson, Hancock, Dufek, Coleman and the Skinner duo were doing likewise.
Fifteen minutes into the quarter Z Glover found he big sticks, only to have a reply from stellar Pearce for Lock.
Magnificent Meaney booted his sixth with three minutes to go and sealed the fate of the game.
In a very even game Yeelanna Eagles ran out winner 11-5 to Lock Rooms 8-5.
Young Coleman was Yeelanna’s standout best, with four excellent quarters.
Meaney led by example, Brad Skinner ran and supported, Habner plugged whatever gap was needed and the Sams Hancock and Clover did their team proud.
BOG Pearce dominated all day all over the ground for Lock, with Britza, Wake and the brother s Hetzel working hard for four quarters.
Times Serlbe three votes – Alistair Pearce (Lock) two votes Jack Coleman (UY) one vote Michael Meaney (UY).
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