IRYMPLE
0.0 5.3 6.6 8.10 (58)
OUYEN UNITED
1.4 2.5 5.7 6.10 (46)
GOALKICKERS: IRYMPLE: Nick Pezzaniti, Alex Hollingworth 2, Liam Garlick, Nick Mee, Connor Mench, Connor Carter 1. OUYEN UNITED: Cal Eaton, Dean Staunton 2, Kaine Stevens, Dallas Willsmore 1.
BEST: IRYMPLE: Nick Mee, Nathan Hura, Justin Robinson, Zac Wandin, Brodie Jackson, Alex Hollingworth. OUYEN UNITED: Dean Staunton, Jermarl Daly, Samuel Mead, Dean Jardine, Dallas Willsmore, Joab Mead.
IRYMPLE’S four-goal blitz late in the second quarter looked to be the key to a low-scoring affair Sunraysia Football and Netball League senior preliminary final.
The Swallows’ effort in withstanding a final-quarter Ouyen United challenge, and the Kangas’ early inaccuracy, were also factors in the 12-point win.
In pristine ground conditions at George Gordon Oval, the minor premiers held off the talent-laden Kangas and earned the Swallows the right to tackle Wentworth in the Sunraysia Football and Netball League grand final this weekend.
Ouyen United kicked with the advantage of a stiff breeze and dominated general play in the first quarter. The Kangas’ early dominance kept Irymple scoreless for the quarter.
For all their dominance and repeated forward 50 entries, however, they could not capitalise on the scoreboard, converting just one goal.
Irymple coach Tom Brownbridge conceded that his team focused on dulling the effectiveness of Ouyen United’s midfielders when they had the breeze.
“We knew going against the wind, their quality midfielders, we had to nullify them,” Brownbridge said. “We let them get one goal, so that wasn’t too bad to start the game.”
Winning the ball around the contest and cutting off Irymple’s forward forays across half-back allowed Ouyen United to pepper the forward line. But ultimately, they lacked system and cohesion when trying to hit a teammate in a goal-scoring position. Irymple has had the most miserly defence all year, and again they stood up well.
Ouyen United co-coach Brad Vallance lamented his team’s start.
“We knew the team that would utilise the breeze more efficiently was going to be in a better position,” Vallance said. “We dominated the possession count but weren’t able to hit the scoreboard.”
Brownbridge praised the efforts of his defence after the game. “There’s a reason our defence was the best in the comp this year for scoring against; with the likes of Zac Wandin, Nando Cirillo and Justin Robinson, it’s hard to get past those blokes.”
Stung by their lack of productivity, Ouyen United also enjoyed some early ascendency in general play in the second quarter, but the Swallows’ defence stood firm again. By the halfway mark of the second quarter, just three goals had been scored, and the game was proving to be a dour affair. Nevertheless, Ouyen was able to maintain their 10-point quarter-time lead and had been able to work hard to stop Irymple from making full use of the breeze.
In the latter stages of the second quarter, the game opened up, and Irymple started to get the game on their terms. They were able to add four late goals to close out the half with a handy 16-point buffer.
In such a low-scoring encounter, this four-goal blitz was the difference in the game and was built on Nick Mee’s ability to provide drive out of the centre and around the ground.
Vallance conceded that this period of the game was costly. “They just got a bit of a run-on. We weren’t able to stem the flow, which we needed to do. We couldn’t allow them to kick all those late ones in the second quarter, which was probably the difference in the end. We were playing a bit of catch-up footy from then on.”
The third quarter was hard fought. Irymple applied tremendous pressure around the ball and contest, and their defence remained resolute. Ouyen had the better of the scoring. Dean Staunton tried to lift his team with two crucial goals, and the Kangas closed the margin to just five points at the final break.
With the breeze abating, United was still well in the game; however, they ideally would have preferred to have gained a lead and tried to defend it rather than try and chase the game kicking into the breeze.
Ouyen United threw everything at Irymple in the opening stages of the last quarter. They had numerous opportunities to snatch the lead but could only add two behinds. However, the game was still on the line when Willsmore answered a Nick Pezzaniti goal midway through the final quarter to keep the margin at three points.
This game was a physical encounter and with fatigue and the pressure of the occasion heightened, the team that held its nerve the best ultimately were the deserved victors. That it was Irymple’s youngster Alex Hollingworth who held his nerve and kicked what was eventually the match sealer, is testament to his football development this year.
Irymple played out the game’s final stages the better and protected their lead through better ball retention and greater composure.
Deservedly, they go into the grand final having rediscovered some confidence and will no doubt look forward to the occasion.
