SSNT Australian Football 12’s Championships - Round Three

SSNT Australian Football 12’s Championships

Match Review

Round Three V SA

SA 5.4.34 def NT 4.9.33

What can you say, a game that we dominated possession in, had more inside 50’s, more tackles, more hard ball gets and contested marks. Unfortunately for the boys we were just shy a little bit of that big game experience and in the end that cost us a against the odds win. The game had everything, controversy, a Simo claimed rushed behind that was awarded a goal, an amazing under pressure goal from our youngest player and mark on the siren inside 50 that gave us a chance to win the match.

Shane McAuliffe gave it everything for the entire match and having to keep that up for four quarters was always a big ask. Laurie Donation was tireless and just wanted to be involved regardless of his energy levels. Daniel Simpson was a rock on the last line, taking some spectacular marks against a very good overhead marking team.

Michael Coombes did not stop for the entire match and just pushed on to the very end. Kyle Emery tackled ferociously and won plenty of football. Jake Turner-Long still recovering from illness, still managed to win some footy and set up some plays.

Nakia Cockatoo continued to dominate across the half back line and late in the last quarter was switched onto the ball, which resulted in a run, carry and deep kick that Zac Bailey made the most of bringing us back to 1 point down.

Brandon Parfitt was inspirational with his in an under efforts, continuously wanting the football regardless of his opponent size and taking some good contested marks. Zac Bailey continued to be the opportunist crumbing off the back of a pack and running hard across the front of goals to put us back to within a point.

Jack Munkara once again had the opportunity to show that Tiwi magic in the forward line and is so close to snaring that first goal for the carnival. Daly Shannon worked hard and won his share of contested football, never shy of attacking the football when ever the opportunity was provided. Liam Moseley continued to do good things on the wing and improving on his responsibilities.

Daniel Rioli had a couple of opportunities to show his flair and did so with a nice lead up and overhead mark. Keidan Holt continued to be our main forward and kicked a couple of crucial goals, while also missing a couple. His game was always played as a contest against the odds but he still managed to take some good pack grabs. With the help of another key forward the result may have gone our way.

Shanley Malbunka is really starting to show us why he was selected in the squad, his hard lead up work provided him with many opportunities to mark inside 50. Lachlan McKenzie got into the game and did some good things, probably the team highlight being in the last quarter when he saved a certain score on the last line and kicked the footy back outside our defensive 50.

Ben Long did some good stuff early on receiving a war injury after a head clash with an opponent. Keenan Waterbury, Ezekiel Frank, Jordan Jeffrey, Shaun Daniels and Zane Taylor had their moments in the game and were good team players throughout the contest providing efforts that reduced the effectiveness of the opposition on numerous occasions. Cameron Piening pulled up ill and spent the last three quarters of the match on the bench.

Goal Scorers: Keidan Holt-Tubbs (2), Zac Bailey (1), Shanley Malbunka (1)