THE IRONMEN CHEER
THE BOYS ONTO A BIG WIN
(a modified Courier report)
Today saw the first gathering of the Ironmen. The past players had a great luncheon, reminisced with funny stories about the first days of the club and then set about making sure our A’s and B’s brought home the bacon.
And weren’t they amazing! Our B’s have had a tough time of it lately with the injuries and player unavailability affecting their balance. This was a win against the odds – well done to Ray Lads and the boys – well done to Monnas for his crackerjack game.
And then the A’s. A great desperate triumph with the giant Munny continuing his juggernaut form. 16 marks in defence that continually frustrated the Hahndorf players and coaching staff – he would have to be leading the association medal.
And don’t forget the coach. Lads was exceptional! Five goals, mainly from around clearances and his on field marshalling of the team is invaluable. These two were towers of strength all day – throw in Sneeder and a general all round team effort with immense desperation – and the Maggies were plucked!
Ironbank 5-2 8-5 13-11 16-14
Hahndorf 1-2 5-6 8-8 11-14
1st Quarter
1st Q
|
Score
|
Inside 50
|
Clearances*
|
Marks (I/50)
|
Ironbank
|
5-2
|
14
|
9 (4)
|
2
|
H
|
1-2
|
9
|
7 (3)
|
2
|
* brackets is centre clearances
The players were greeted with clear skies and a cold north westerly wind that favoured the southern end. Hahndorf had the much better form of the both sides but Ironbank play an enigmatic style of football on their home ground.
Hahndorf was without its vice captain, Trent Male, and Ironbank had six outs from last week’s team – Brad Yeomans being the most prominent.
Hahndorf started the better of the two teams and James Gallagher was everywhere in the opening minutes. He used his pace and elusive skills to get the ball to Jarryn Male who kicked truly on his left boot. Although Hahndorf dominated early possession, Geoff Munn held them up time and time again in defence.
The game took an amazing turnaround in the next ten minutes with Ironbank gaining control of the football through immense pressure on the ball carrier and around the stoppages. The Thunderers lapped up the spillages and kicked five goals in this small period. It was the most defining ten minutes of the game. Sheary got the ball rolling with a major after the two Wills (Muirden & Vandenberg) were creative in their ball use . Tags was the recipient of good work from Will M & Simmo and Chris Ladhams kicked two of these - his impact around stoppages and on the scoreboard was immense. Carbo (Andrew Ladhams) threaded the 5th – a definite result of Hahndorf saying – “let me out of here, the pressure is hurting”!
No more majors were registered in the last 12 minutes of the quarter. Hahndorf missed opportunities to impact on the scoreboard and Geoff Munn went to the early break clearly the best man on the ground with 8 towering marks in defence.
2nd Quarter
2nd Q
|
Score
|
Inside 50
|
Frees
|
Clearances*
|
Tackles
|
Clanger
|
Marks (I/50)
|
Ironbank
|
3-3
|
15
|
|
9 (5)
|
|
|
2
|
H
|
4-4
|
15
|
|
6 (1)
|
|
|
2
|
It was Hahndorf’s turn to kick with the breeze, although Hahndorf showed in the first quarter, you could still penetrate to your goal front easily.
Ironbank started the quarter well and Benny Thomas roved the crumbs of the spillage to kick a clever left foot snap for a goal. Welcome back, BT – for god’s sake, give up chasing the plastic!
The Magpies started to work back into the game for the next 10 minutes through creative use of the ball and they started to win the lion’s share of contested ball. David Hankin, as a small forward, became a good target and his goal followed by a major to James Tripodi, put Hahndorf only 17 points down half way through the quarter.
The Thunderers won the clearances for the quarter but struggled to get it past centre half forward with the Maggies defence holding tight. Sam Barlow popped up for Ironbank with a penetrating major from 40 metres out. Hahndorf’s good work was often let down by poor disposal under pressure.
After Barlow’s goal, the Maggies took over control of the game and Hankin kicked his second and gave off another to Jarryn Male. At the 25 minute mark, Hahndorf were back within 11 points of the lead and looked the better team.
Come on down, Lads – He stood up when we needed something inspirational and he took a clever mark 50 metre out and then converted with a massive kick.
We go to the long break with a 17 point lead.
3rd Quarter
3rd Q
|
Score
|
Inside 50
|
Clearances*
|
Marks (I/50)
|
Ironbank
|
5-6
|
16
|
18 (6)
|
2
|
H
|
3-2
|
13
|
9 (2)
|
3
|
Ironbank looked to make a bit of a hash of the premiership quarter with a series of poor disposals. Daniel Batson took two big marks 20 metres out but spoiled his good work with two misses. Batto – you will be out on the track on Tuesday having goal shooting practice!
Hahndorf then capitalised on an error from a kick in and Luke Roberts was able to convert truly for the Maggies.
Ironbank was clearly winning the stoppages but the Hahndorf defence was working together quite well to repel most attacks. Jarrod Taglieferri (Tags) then was able to wriggle free in the goal square in his attempt to secure the crown as the goal of the year winner for a goal. Hahndorf quickly responded through a mark and running goal to David Hankin.
Whenever Ironbank scored, the Magpies seemed to be able to respond. This happened when Chris Ladham’s goaled from a clearance only to be quickly countered by a Ben Layley mark and goal. This was a result of the umpies not paying a definite mark to Batto, 10 metres out in front. The maggies scored a goal by taking the ball the length of the ground.
At the 23 minute mark of the third quarter, the Thunderers led by just 14 points and they didn’t appear to be doing enough with the breeze. The last 5 minutes then belonged to the Thunderers as they kicked three goals, each of them very impressive. Will Vandenberg, starting to gain confidence in his ability, kicked truly from 50 metres out, Matt Smith dribbled a goal in a goal square stoppage and the Benny Thomas gave out a clever handball to Sam Barlow for a major.
All of a sudden, the Thunderers had a commanding 33 point lead at the final break.
There was one oddity during the third quarter that was inexplicable. Rocket Lewis allowed Craig Thomas, the royal position on the new hill. What were you thinking, Rocket?
4thQuarter
4th
|
Score
|
Inside 50
|
Clearances*
|
Marks (I/50)
|
Ironbank
|
3-3
|
11
|
5 (1)
|
0
|
H
|
3-6
|
17
|
10 (5)
|
3
|
The game soon came up for grabs when Hahndorf went on the attack early in the last quarter. The Magpies’ midfield gained control and a clever handball from Matthew Cooper gave Luke Roberts a goal and Jarryn Male continued his good match with a clever major. David Hankin continued to trouble the Ironbank defence with his strong leading and marking.
Once again when the game was in dispute, Chris Ladhams stood up. He crumbed a goal and then his brother, Andy kicked a major. These two quick goals against the run of play restored a 32 point buffer to the Thunderers.
Hahndorf continued to press but their work in the next 10 minutes only resulted in 4 behinds. Their run of points was broken by what was clearly the goal of the day. James Tripodi evaded tacklers at a stoppage and threaded a superb goal from the “dead pocket” boundary.
Ironbank was able to close the game down despite being beaten around the stoppages in the last quarter. The game was definitely sealed when Nocka Vandenberg toe poked a goal in the goal square. He was ecstatic and he made sure that every supporter and official at the ground knew that it was him that kicked (can’t really describe it as a kick) the goal.
The winning margin of 5 goals undoubtedly came down to the relentless tackling pressure of the Thunderers.
Chris Ladhams was a great leader for his club and Geoff Munn was imposing in defence all day.
Final Stats
|
Score
|
Inside 50
|
Clearances*
|
Ironbank
|
16-14
|
56
|
41 (16)
|
Hahndorf
|
11-14
|
54
|
32 (11)
|
Goal Kickers: C Ladhams 5,J Tagleferri 2, A Ladhams 2, S Barlow 2, N Vandenberg1, W Vandenberg 1, M Smith 1, B Thomas 1, A Shearwood 1
Best Players: – C Ladhams, G Munn, W Muirden, C Schneider, A Ladhams
Last Modified on 06/05/2013 09:49