ANDREW Shipp, in his 100th game for Gembrook, stole the show in the last quarter on Saturday, kicking four goals to snuff out any chance for OlindaFerny Creek.
On an overcast and drizzly day the first quarter opened at an electrifying pace with Olinda kicking to the scoring end and booting the first two goals. The Brookers settled and Shipp’s snap off the pack. Gembrook’s intensity had lifted and the pressure applied by Paul Sankey, Steve Robins and Travis Bartin in defence freed up the Brookers to drive the ball forward. Matt O’Neil’s snap gave the Brookers the lead and when he converted his set shot for his second goal the Brookers had the momentum.
The standard lifted a notch in the second quarter and Olinda’s Reed caused headaches for the Brooker backmen. Craig Clarke took control in the ruck and in the air and the opportunistic Andrew Walker soccered through a great teamlifting goal, before Steve Pantorno, O’Neil, Glenn Penglase and Daniel Wilkie all goaled to give Gembrook a 22point lead at the long break.
In the third quarter Olinda snatched the lead halfway through and the Brookers’ back line came under intense pressure before the move of Shipp into the midfield turned the tide. He and Clarke set about regaining the lead, which increased to 10 points by the last change.
Shipp given free rein in the last quarter and ran forward and kicked four majors for the term. His courage and strong hands in chopping off an Olinda kickin and kicking a goal typified the Brookers’ approach and they moved away from the Olinda Bloods to run out 29point winners.
Penglase was the standout and Clarke, Joel O’Donohue, Travis Bartin and Shipp were superb for the winners.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 15.17.107 d OlindaFerny Creek 11.12.78.
Goals: Andrew Shipp 5, Matt O’Neil 4, Steve Pantorno 2, Glenn Penglase, Andrew Walker, Daniel Wilkie, Paul McKenzie 1.
Best: Glenn Penglase, Andrew Shipp, Craig Clarke, Joel O’Donohue, Matt O’Neil.
RESERVES
In cold conditions at Olinda the Brookers went into the game confident.
It was a hard torrid affair, with the Brookers battling tough opposition and the elements.
An extremely heavy ground didn’t allow the Brookers to get their usual running play going and poor kicking for goal kept Olinda in the game. Promising signs were the return to form of Nathan Kruzicevic and Grant Croaker, who battled hard all day, and great tackling from newcomer Scot Medwell allowed the Brookers to cruise to an ordinary win.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 6.24.60 d OlindaFerny Creek 4.3.27.
Best: Nathan Kruzicevic, Nick Green, Scott Osseweyer, Dean Allcott, Scott Medwell.
UNDER 18
When Gembrook travelled to Olinda there was doubt about the game as Olinda did not have sufficient numbers.
Brookers players volunteered to don opposition jumpers to make a game.
The result was appropriate reflection of the teams’ relative positions on the ladder.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 18.16.124 d Olinda 5.4.34.
