Under fantastic Queensland skies, without the biting Tasmanian wind of Monday the Sunshine Coast under 14’s boys were in for their biggest challenge to date. That challenge was to be up against one of the traditionally strong teams in Gold Coast, today it was to be the North team whom after two from two promised to be quality opposition. To strong on day one (Saturday) for the visitors from PNG and then showcasing a strong team brand of footy on Monday v North Queensland Central we knew we had to start well and maintain four quarters of intensity.
Well that is what was delivered a four quarter display from the Teal and Gold of intense hunting of the footy. The first quarter was an awesome display as the backline held tight and rebounded at every opportunity from the weapon line of Connor Crofts, Loki Haines and Toara Marango. The mid field just surged the ball forward in waves from every opportunity the Gold Coast took to attack, Nick Smith, Lachlan Hall, Ben Dickson, Tarj Townson under the watchful eye of ruckman Birmingham were just too formidable.
The one percenters, of tackling, shepparding, talking, running in waves we seemed to continual do whilst sometimes we butchered the ball in delivery there was always someone willing to work hard to get to the drop of the ball and do the hard things to arrest it back.
Pleasing was the forward pressure also displayed that allowed us to maintain the ball in our forward half that after relentless acts of bravery and willingness to tackle generated four first quarter goals. Jordan Coluccio snaring two as he ran himself silly from half back to his position of half forward. Jesse Pratt and Tom Ansell gave us due reward with goals that contributed to a stirring four goal first up lead.
What wind the day experienced seemed to pop up in time for the second quarter when we were due to kick right of screen to the clubhouse end. Little impact this quarter produced on the score board as the only goal cam from the telling boot of Nick Smith – some felt that he bought his own ball.
The third quarter was to be the premiership quarter, GC had to do big things if they were to get back into the contest but the power of SC was not going to let that be. Tarj Townson and Josh Hawksworth both kicked truly whilst Jordan Coluccio was playing a blinder and had another to put another three on the board to no majors yet for GC. Any attempt that GC made to stick the sherrin over the goal umpires hat was thwarted again and again by a very resolute last line of defence in Bailey Lammeretz, J’Khobi Shaw and Luke Norbury these guys having built a brick wall with Loki Haines dropping back to assist.
The fourth quarter was played out with much sting having gone out of the contest and 1.2 apiece probably highlighted an even contest although by this stage the run had slowed somewhat and the tackling dropped off but understandable as the heat in the kitchen across the first three quarters was scorching.
Our bigger bodies in Ratu Nautu, Marc Kearney, J’Khobi Shaw with Michael Gerring, Tom Evitts and Ben Dickson were just tackling and harassing machines, even the half time lollies squealed as these boys hunted them down.
All in all, big smiles from coaches and team staff greeted the final siren as a very pleasing victory we tasted. Friday leads us to our final game of the program and todate four from four strong displays we have tabled. Friday is an opportunity to round out a strong program of near 12 weeks that started with a difficult selection day back at Gympie as two Sunny Coast and a Wide Bay side came together to start the process of being at this point. So boys Friday is unfinished business, don’t rest back on the feeling of getting to this point today is enough. Game time Friday 10.30am v Brisbane South East.
Scores:
Sunshine Coast – 4.1.25, 5.3.33, 8.3.51, 9.5.59
Gold Coast North – 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 1.5.11
Goal Kickers – Jordan Coluccio 3, Nick Smith 2, Jesse Pratt, Tom Ansell, Tarj Townson, Josh Hawksworth,
Best Players – again a resounding team effort. Loki Haines (Most Valuable Player), Jordan Coluccio, J’Khobi Shaw, Connor Crofts, Lachlan Hall, Tarj Townson, Ben Dickson, Toara Marango.
Last Modified on 24/09/2014 11:14