Summary
After DLS missed easy chances SBMT slammed on 4 unanswered goals in the ensuing 8 minutes to establish a 22 point lead. DLS scored the next 3 with a fine mark & conversion by Ris McArdle and 2 brilliant snaps, one from each side, by Ryan Semmel

SBMT increased their ¼ lead of 13 points to 19 by half time as the game settled into an arm wrestle with skill levels alternating between the sublime to the poor.

The 3rd qtr was a replica of the 2nd with SBMT gradually increasing their lead to 26 points. The difference in the teams was the quality on movement into the respective forward lines. Ben Corin in his 200th game utilised all his skill and experience to lead the DLS against a virtual avalanche of opportunities.

Ryan Semmel kicked his 5th within a minute of the start of the final quarter. Jeff Morel’s quick gather and long shot reduced the margin 15 points and it was game on. The next 7 minutes saw DLS having 5 shots on goal which resulted only in minors.
SBMT steadied then with 2 goals and the teams swapped goals for the “B” Section graduate premiers to win their 1st “A” grade game by 25 points

Qtr1
DLS opened well but easy opportunities were squandered when Greg Hesse missed from the goal square. From the 3 minute mark SBMT scored 4 unanswered goals with precise ball movement and superbly accurate kicking for goal.
Ris McArdle, who marked on a strong lead, goaled from CHF to record DLS 1st goal at the 11 minute mark. This was quickly followed by a brilliant snap from the pocket by Ryan Semmel.
The game was fast on the small Brandisi oval which meant that the thrusts went deep into the respective defensive zones, where for DLS Ben Corin was prominent with strong spoils. Al Dwyer was also standing up well to the persistent pressure.
Ryan Semmel snapped truly again this time from the opposite pocket to break an 11 minutes of goalless footy.
With DLS only 7 points in arrear, the pressure on the ball getter intensified and SBMT goaled on the siren and take a 13 point lead into the break.

Qtr2
DLS again failed to capitalise on their ascendancy with only 2 behinds from 10 minutes of fiercely contested footy.
SBMT’s Terrell and McGettin were causing the DLS defence some problems and it was not surprising that Terrell broke the goal draught, followed soon after when McGettin marked & converted to restore their 23 point margin.
Jarrod Moloney finally got his range and goaled after a finely weighted pass from David Lowe (?). Ryan Semmel scored his 3rd and the margin was back to 15 points.
But just like Qtr 1 SBMT goaled on the siren, this time through the elusive Terrell and their lead was restored to 19 points.

Qtr3
The 3rd qtr was a replica of the second where a long period of goalless footy was broken by 2 goals to SBMT followed by goals to Semmel, his 4th, and Greg Hesse to reduce the margin to the ½ time level.
DLS runners were gradually working into the game but some poor decision making and execution deprived the team of the maximum benefit.
Both defences were on top but that of DLS was having to work much harder. Jeff Morel and Al Dwyer were tackling effectively and providing run. BC was in control in the aerial battles. Peter Harrison, sacrificing his own game, had completely smothered his top ranking opponent.
Almost as if the game was scripted, SBMT scored late in the quarter to lead by 26 points at ¾ time.

Qtr4
Just to prove the scripted concept wrong, DLS goaled, Semmel’s 5th, within a minute of the start. Jeff Morel after stealing possession in a scrimmage, goaled from far out and the spirits lifted at the 3 minute mark.
The defences of both teams were under severe pressure as the game lifted a notch or 2. DLS next 5 scoring attempts resulted in minors when 2 goals instead would have given it the lead for the 1st time of the match, the first couple of minutes excepted.
If only! If only!

That dynamic duo (with the extremes of human physiques on display) Terrell & McGettin goaled and seemingly put an end to the DLS momentum. The teams traded goals in the ensuing 15 minutes to the final bell.
A highlight for DLS supporters was the 1st Senior gaol from Locky Bull who had made an encouraging debut.
The accuracy of his kick if emulated by his more experienced team mates would have given the team a victory which it probably did not deserve. Nath Roberts who battled hard all day was rewarded when after marking deep in the pocket, goaled from a sharp angle.
The closeness of the game is depicted by the quarter margins: -13, -6, -7, +1 points

Colin Glover
2008/04/14