MINERS MAKE IT THREE FOR THREE
The Roxby Districts Sporting Clubs 99 point Grand Final victory last weekend over Hornridge, gives them three premierships in a row, and ten premiership flags since 1986.
Winning the 2015 flag is historical for the club. Not since Olympic Dam beat the Miners in grand finals from 2004 - 2006 have two teams crossed swords in three consecutive premiership rivalries.
Ironically, the Miners were beaten in the 2012 grand final by the Magpies. Prosser’s Invincibles have made them pay ever since.
It was always going to be a hard ask for Ashley Baxter and his team to route the Miners, but for intent and purpose, the will was there. From the outset the Magpies released hell on the red and whites, contesting with a vigor and ferocity that local footy fans have come to expect.
Aggressive, no holds bar football, with bodies bouncing off each other like inebriated punters in a jumping castle, was par for the course. Miners’ player/coach Ricky Prosser’s bloodied swollen lips and missing front tooth were testimony to a game played with no quarter given or expected.
In a first half of shared inside fifties, the Magpies couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities thanks to an undeniable Miners defence. Roxby on the other hand managed three in the first quarter, however, rushed and missed set shots would have had the Miners up by at least ten goals.
If one was to be critical of the premiers, set shots for some of their forwards has been problematic this season. Hornridge kept up the pressure and for what it’s worth, gave Roxby a run for its money and kept them to 5 goals at half time.
With a 5.11-41 to 0.3-3 score at half time, the prognosis for the ailing Pies wasn’t good. The Hornridge defensive backline valiantly strived to stop the onslaught. Cut to ribbons by precision sharp passages of play, resulted in a Roxby goal fest through Gavin Sheppard, Sean Mcivor and a host of others. Back in the Magpie ranks, after a few weeks off with injury, defender Brad Cooper probably felt he’d played more football in the last half of the game than he had all season. Simon Henke’s efforts, coming out of the back pocket like a black and white rocket, wasn’t enough to break up the well coordinated and fast Roxby running players.
Managing only one goal in the third quarter, the Magpie forwards would have to wait until mid way through the last to make good with two majors.
Throughout the season, the Miners have played to a crescendo, gradually wearing down their opposition, then rising like a tsunami, wiping out their opponents. The big Kahunas of local football repeated the process last weekend.
Playing against arguably the best defence in the league was obviously frustrating for Hornridge; resulting in undisciplined play, a bit of biffo here and there, Miner Forward Gavin Sheppard off with the blood rule, and a yellow card for Trent Grosser.
In the end Hornridge, like so many other FNFL teams over the last three years suffered defeat, nay, a good old fashion flogging, at the hands of the Miners.
For some punters, Roxby winning the grand final was a fait accompli, and it would be fair to say considering their performance over this and the past three seasons - a sure bet. Irrespective, the game was played in the spirit the community expects and was entertaining in parts.
Most impressive were junior footballers Miner Jack Dalgleish and Hornridge’s Jhy McCarthy’s courage and willingness to mix it with the ‘big boys’. Despite their youth, both were courageous and determined on the day. Win or lose, both of these young men highlight the richness and diversity of local football.
Can the Miners make it four in a row in 2016? Probably the more important question to ask is, which club will step up to challenge and take the crown from Prosser’s Invincibles?
Article written by Freelance Journalist Jack McGuire
Photos by Jack McGuire
Last Modified on 04/09/2015 19:00