ACTAFL grand final match report ? [Archive]

heavs

22 Oct 2002, 12:51

MATCH REPORT
SENIORS
!!PIES TRIUMPH IN GRAND FINAL OVER TIGERS!!

The Wait is Over.
Words have never sounded so sweet to the Belconnen faithful as Coach Denneman proclaimed after the game that the 'Wait was Over' signalling that the 2002 players of the Belconnen Football Club had just created history.

Leading into the game, opinion was divided on who was going to claim the Holy Grail and some pundits even described Belconnen as lacking in passion and culture. This only fuelled the Belconnen team into a frenzied attack on their opposition resulting in a 73 point victory to the Black, White and Teal. Final Scores being Belconnen 24.19 (163) to Queanbeyan 14.6 (90).

Belconnen won the toss and kicked to the Manuka end of the ground with a slight breeze and immediately put their stamp on the game with Lavery being the stand-out in the first term with his ferocious attack on the ball. He booted 4 for the quarter and set the scene for teammates to follow. Belconnen were good through the middle with a combination of players rotating through the forward line picking up possession at will. Belconnen could have gone into the second quarter with an even greater lead had they not missed a couple of shots but stiff **** they still slotted 6 through for the quarter and restricted Queanbeyan to a couple. The Quarter time scores saw Belconnen leading by 28 points.

In the second quarter the Tigers put some growl into their game as Ellis got himself into the mix and Queanbeyan kicked 5 for the quarter. Just as Queanbeyan appeared to be getting the momentum back Mahar took the initiative and took a couple of centre bounces and Bubba Read won a couple of huge balls out of the middle to ensure that Belconnen maintained their lead going into the long break. O'Kane was terrific and was being rewarded for the countless hours he spent at the physio in the two weeks leading up to the game. Uhi was running around like a gazelle jumping on opposition player heads and causing all sorts of concern. As the siren sounded for the main break Belconnen held a lead of some 22 points.

The third term was terrific for the Pies and as with the season entirety the workrate was shared amongst the team. Campbell was good through the middle, as were his onball colleagues in Mahar, Hazleman, George, Read, Hallandale, Habel and Sherry. In addition, the back six were as hard as nails and were well led again by the Bull aptly supported by Sol, Phillips, Carrots, Klep and O'Kane.

At the three quarter time huddle the scoreboard showed that Belconnen held a lead of 31 points and it was going to be difficult for the Opposition to reel in the rampaging Magpies. Denneman ensured that his players were focussed for the last quarter and concentrate on winning the game rather than saving it. And that they did slamming on 8 goals 4 behinds while at the same time restricting Queanbeyan to 3. Knuckles came off for a blow and to ready himself for a spot of tree climbing later in the night which gave Timmy an opportunity to dazzle. Big Whitey also had a rest to enable Mahar to run and find space.

The forwards for Belconnen also sparkled for the day with Lavery and Uhi both picking up 6. Snake 4, Horse 3 and Knuckles 2 with singles going to Denneman, Sherry and Netting who somehow deceived the opposition by a shake of his head and waltzed into goal on his left.

On a final note, word has it that our reliable timekeeper Gunny was to fondle the hooter for the last time in the GF and he has passed on the following message to me, which I think appropriate to include here.

'We finally did it. It's hard work that everyone puts in including the Coaching Staff; Darren and the Players; the Trainers that did their usual job; Team Managers; Runners; and those that ran water it was a great year. I'm now retired from time keeping. Thanks for having me over the years and I don't know how long I have done it for. Also, Dave Fitzgerald, Shane Evans, Ray Bags did a great job and Danielle, Meredith, Kylie - what a lot of work they put into the banners - fantastic effort. Once again, thanks for putting up with me. Gunny'