by Jason Torney
IT is not often that the losing coach is more positive and pleased with his team’s performance than the winning coach, but in what is probably more a reflection on where the sides are in their respective campaigns, this was the case following Imperials’ 46-point win over Red Cliffs at Quandong Park.
Although Imps started well with a six-goal opening term and outscored their opponent in every quarter, this was by no means their best performance. Red Cliffs have an uncanny knack of making teams fumble and second-guess when in possession and were able to frustrate Imps and deny them the opportunity to run, carry and link with their usual fluency.
Despite being three men short due to a flight delay and the scrappy start to the game, Imperials were well on top come quarter-time. Jayden Fox and David Hankin had kicked two goals each and looked dangerous and now with a full complement of players, one suspected the Green Machine were set to swing into action. To Red Cliffs’ credit they were able to compete and pressure the Imps outfit for the remainder of the game and made it hard for them to find top gear.
While Imperials always looked to have the game in hand, for a short moment on the back of some momentum and crowd support when Red Cliffs had reduced the margin to 25 points deep in the third quarter, some diehard Tigers fans were a little optimistic that a boil over was on the cards.
However, two late goals to Imps meant that optimism was quickly snuffed out. Imperials took an insurmountable 37-point lead into the last break and withstood a physically challenging final quarter to extend the margin.
For the winners, Alex Douglas was instrumental in the midfield, while Hankin was the dominant forward of the game – finishing with six goals. Vas Tuifao led by example and was Red Cliffs’ best midfielder while Will Hand played a pivotal role across half-back for the Tigers.
After the game, Red Cliffs coach Tuifao said the day was “all about effort and a lot of boys showed that. For us, the scoreboard was irrelevant as long as the players were prepared to compete. Compete. Compete”.
Red Cliffs will look to bring the same willingness to compete next week as they take on another league powerhouse in Irymple.
Imperials’ coach Brad Hards was disappointed with the skill errors and decision-making of his team.
“I wasn’t giving the boys too much of a boost today,” he said. “We got the job done, we will take some learnings from it and move on.”
IMPERIALS 15.11 (101)
RED CLIFFS 8.7 (55)
GOALS:
Imperials: D. Hankin 6, C. Hards, J. Fox 2, B. Hards, R. Burns, P. Petrucci, R. McNally, L. McHugh.
Red Cliffs: L. McGlashan 3, J. Connelly, J. Reed, P. Tuifao, J. McManus, L. Thornton.
BEST:
Imperials: A. Douglas, D. Hankin, D. Arnold, C. Hards, M. Mazzini, L. McHugh.
Red Cliffs: V. Tuifao, W. Hand, L. McGlashan, T. Baudewyns, J. Parker, B. Simpson.
THREE THINGS WE LEARNT
NOT PLANE SAILING: Adding frustrations to Imps’ preparations for this game was a flight delay that meant Ryan Hards, Bryce Hards and Jordan Bates played no part in the first quarter. That Bryce copped a game-ending head knock in the opening seconds of the final term meant he played just a half of footy but was very prominent when on the ground.
HILLTOP HOODS: The crowd on the Red Cliffs’ hill provides plenty of advice and encouragement. It seems that special treatment is saved for long-serving favourite sons and debutants. Red Cliffs youngster Jayden Grenfell would have been heartened by the encouragement he received in his debut game from those that gathered on the elevated green expanse.
HANKIN HAS GOAL HANKERING: David Hankin was the most dangerous forward on the day. His appetite to work the forward 50-metre arc in search of goal-scoring opportunities served him well. The elusive left-footer bagged six goals and keeps him in the frame for the Tommy Bland Medal.
