ON A wet and slippery day at Healesville the Brookers took on the thirdplaced Bloods in difficult conditions and eventually the home side ran over the top of the Brookers to record a victory.
Gembrook ventured to the Don Road reserve without their star ruckman Craig Clarke due to a hamstring injury. From the first bounce Travis Bartin and Paul Mackenzie assumed ruck duties, while Andrew Shipp, Shannon Richardson and Matt O’Neil got the Brookers moving with good play through the midfield and Steve Pantorno goaled early. Gembrook had all the play with a small forward line consisting of Brett Andrews, Ben Fenton, Pantorno and Glenn Penglase causing headaches for the Healesville defence. With accurate passing and good kicking for goal the Brookers took a 15point lead at the first change.
With constant rain continuing to wet the surface in the second quarter, Healesville started to bridge the gap with the help of controversial decisions near goal. The Brookers’ intent and work rate could not be questioned, but it was not enough to stop the home side holding the lead at the main break. The Brookers could not manage a major for the quarter.
The third quarter turned into a slog with only one goal by Healesville, extending the lead to 16 points at the last change. Penglase consistently put himself at the bottom of the packs in a bestonground performance. Gembrook’s back line led by Steve Robins, Paul Sankey and Max Croaker all worked hard while Shipp’s class was evident in the tough conditions. However it was the Bloods that ran the game out better, eventually overpowering the Brookers in a good wetweather performance.
Coach Matt O’Neil said: “The scoreboard did not reflect the effort put in by the boys today. Sometimes you can play bad and get flogged, while other days you can play good but not get the rewards on the scoreboard. We had one of those days today. Five goals does not indicate how well, or how much we were in the game.”
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 5.3.33 lost to Healesville 11.16.82.
Goals: Steve Pantorno 2, Brett Andrews 2, Paul Sankey 1.
Best: Glen Penglase, Shannon Richardson, Paul Mackenzie, Daniel Wilkie
RESERVES
The Brookers were undermanned due to injuries and started slowly. The Bloods jumped quickly but solid defence from Scott Osseweyer, Glen Waters and the Thomas brothers stemmed the onslaught. A high tackle on Bourne right on the siren and a 50metre penalty kept the Brookers within four goals at quartertime.
In the constant rain the Brookers came out firing. With Steve Paull, Mitch Evans, Dean Allcott and Nathan Kruzicevic all playing well and with Harry Chernishoff given a tagging role the Brookers started to claw back.
In the third quarter the Brookers put up a good solid fight. Nathan Kruzicevic was dominating and Scott Osseweyer was marking every thing that came his way, while his brother Clint showed a hard physical presence in the centre. With Matt Failla and Mick Granieri kicking goals the Brookers stayed in touch. In the last quarter the Brookers faced a fivegoal difference. The Brookers, down to no bench with three players staying on with injuries, could not stop the Bloods winning by six goals.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 7.11.53 lost to Healesville 12.7.79.
Goals: Matt Failla, Mick Granieri 2, Nathan Kruzicevic, Dean Allcott, Chris Bourne 1 each.
Best: Nathan Kruzicevic, Scott Osseweyer, Harry Chernishoff, Dean Allcott.
UNDER 18
In the first half the Brookers struggled to adapt to conditions and their kicking for goal allowed Healesville a handy halftime lead with four goals to one. Kicking seven behinds in a row cost the Brookers and allowed the opposition too much of a hold on the game.
After halftime positional changes and a more determined stance the Brookers dominated possession but not get scores on the board. The packs became willing and after a clash of heads both sides suffered concussions. John Shipp and Grainger Hartridge started to win the ball around the stoppages but the Healesville forward line had been more accurate and won the slog convincingly. Todd Pye won the ruck contests clearly and Gembrook won the stoppages in the second half, but kicked for goal poorly for the first time for the year. James Hampton, Ben Chadwick and Michael Webster tried hard and Hartridge and Shipp were not beaten. Phil Muratore, Ricky Causer and Michael Litterbach tried their hearts out.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 3.12.30 lost to Healesville 8.9.57.
Goals: Nathan Leversha, Alex Schueddekopf, Andrew Hilder 1.
Best: James Hampton, Todd Pye, Craig Luscombe, Ricky Causer, John Shipp.
This week Gembrook plays its centenary game against Monbulk at home and supporters are encouraged to attend. Due to the celebrations the games will be starting early, the under 18s starting at 9.30am, the reserves at 10.30 and the seniors at 1.30pm.
