GEMBROOK finished the season off the season in fine form at home, defeating a gallant OlindaFerny Creek by 31 points.
With Andrew Shipp pulling out through injury 10 minutes before the game, the Brookers had to alter their forward structure with veterans Steve Pantorno and Steve Goodie assuming the main roles with Daniel Wilkie up forward.
The game opened at a hectic pace with both half back lines repelling many forward thrusts before Olinda broke through for its first major. With Max Croaker, Shannon Richardson and Paul Sankey all playing well, Matt O’Neil set the Brookers on their way with a long running goal.
The Brookers’ midfield was unable to get first use of the ball as big Craig Clarke was finding it hard to read the varying bounce.
But after the opening Gembrook settled the better and with Joel O’Donohue blanketing the dangerous Tim Scott, it left time for the likes of Croaker, Paul Mackenzie and Tristan Whytcross to set up the Brookers with good running and hard work. At quarter time the Brookers could have been further in front if they had controlled their foot skills a little better.
In the second quarter Gembrook kicked away to open a fivegoal lead. The Brookers allowed Olinda to regroup and hit the lead, until Richardson decided it was time to impose himself on the game with some aggressive but fair football that ignited his team through O’Neil and Jarrad Matthews who goaled to take back the lead.
The game was set up for a classic battle. It was Gembrook that took control, with Clarke dominating in the air and Glen Penglase, Mackenzie, Whytcross and Richardson all working hard to allow Pantorno, Andrews and Litterback to reap the rewards and extend the lead to 31 points by the last break.
Gembrook took full control for the first 20 minutes and blew the Bloods away through Pantorno’s accurate goal kicking. When Richardson kicked truly the lead was out to 10 goals. But the Bloods wanted to send two of their favourite sons out in style and rallied to kick the last five goals.
“It’s good to finish off with a win. Winning the last three games gives us a good base for next season,” said O’Neil.
Score: GembrookCockatoo 18.13.121 d Olinda Ferny Creek 14.6.90.
Best: Matt O’Neil, Glen Penglase, Paul Mackenzie, Steve Pantorno, Max Croaker.
Goals: Steve Pantorno 5, Matt O’Neil, Brett Andrews, Travis Bartin 2, Craig Clarke, Steve Goodie, Ian Litterback, Jarrod Matthews, Glen Penglase, Shannon Richardson, Daniel Wilkie 1.
RESERVES
It was the Brookers’ first home game for five weeks and they started off the same way they did when they last met Olinda, with inaccurate kicking letting them down.
Steve Paull was putting in some great confidencebuilding work in the ruck, providing plenty of opportunities for Damian Smethurst, Clint Osseweyer and Dean Allcott playing great roving football. Chris Bourne and Dean Hester were providing options up forward, and the backline again dominated proceedings led by Scott Osseweyer and Nathan Thomas. The Brookers went in at halftime determined to change around a disappointing score.
The Brookers piled on eight goals in the third with big Hester leading the way. Tristan Pinkster was moved to the forward line from the back with instant success. They went on to be comfortable winners by 100 points.
“We have had a great homeandaway season and we look forward to playing in our first division 1 final in more than 20 years,” coach Chris Bourne said.
The reserves take on Silvan in the elimination final next Sunday at Yarra Junction at midday.
Score: GembrookCockatoo 19.18.132 d Olinda Ferny Creek 5.2.32.
Goals: Dean Hester 8, Damian Smethurst 3, Tristan Pinkster 2, Nathan Green, Mitch Evans, Chris Bourne, Matt Failla, Ben Fenton, Brendan Connell 1.
Best: Dean Allcott, Ben Fenton, Scott Osseweyer, Clint Osseweyer.
UNDER18
After four weeks away from home the Brookers were pleased to return to Gembrook and take on Olinda after going down to Upwey and Belgrave.
In the first quarter the Brookers dominated possession to lead 3.7 to 0.2, the inaccuracy blamed on the dew still on the ground.
With the midfield inspired by senior coach Matt O’Neil the Brookers kept the pressure on Olinda supplying the forwards with numerous opportunities. The second quarter was a good one, the Brookers piling on 5.5 to 1.3.
Gembrook continued to build, piling on 7.2 to one point, with the backline led by Matt Townsend and co cutting off any Olinda forward thrusts.
The last quarter became a merrygoround of interchange as players who had played most of the game came off the ground happy to see their team mates get precious ground time before the finals next Sunday.
Andrew Walker and Todd Pye took out the bestandfairest and runnerup awards.
Score: GembrookCockatoo 18.16.124 d Olinda Ferny Creek 4.8.32.
Goals: John Shipp 3, Andrew Walker, Todd Pye, Jarrod Scott, Aaron Cameron, James Hampton 2, Daillin Ellis, Kade Brindley, Michael Allen, Alex Schuddekopf 1.
