IN ROUND eight Emerald played South Belgrave in foggy and freezing conditions. The senior side struggled in the first three quarters with several new players in the side and returned players lacking match practice. South Belgrave dominated the game, however Emerald never gave up and finished by outscoring South Belgrave eight goals to six in the last quarter.
The team is starting to come together and off the field morale is good. The coaching staff and the leadership team stayed positive, motivated the players and battled the game out well.
Scores: South Belgrave 27.16.178 d Emerald 10.18.78.
Goals: Daniel Hickleton 4, Rod Smith 3, Marcus Lorkin, Wes Wright, Ash Callander 1.
Best: Wes Wright, Daniel Hickleton, Blair Kuys, Rod Smith.
RESERVES
In inexperienced side took the track, including a Canadian recruit, who played his first game after being taught how to hold and kick the ball at Thursday night training, and three new players who joined last Thursday.
Emerald played consistent football and trailed by only five points at the big break.
But in the third quarter South Belgrave move the ball quicker and managed four goals to Emerald’s one.
In the final quarter a rejuvenated Emerald outscored South Belgrave 3.5 to 2.1.
The club wished Ryan Appleby a speedy recovery after a serious car accident in Emerald last week.
Scores: South Belgrave 14.13.97 d Emerald 11.12.78.
Goals: Andrew Rolfs 4, Paul Brocklesby 2, Brian Sullivan, Jesse Mather, David Watson, Eli Bishop 1.
Best: Andrew Rolfs, Jesse Mather, Gary Sewell, Paul Brocklesby.
UNDER 18
Emerald was slow to start but in the second half started to play team football and the players showed their ability. The ball was continually cleared from the centre and moved into thye Bombers’ forward line, where scoring was difficult at times. South Belgrave tried hard to prevent Emerald taking the lead, however with determination the team kept together as a team and ran out victors.
Scores: Emerald 9.14.68 d South Belgrave 8.10.58.
Goals: Robbie Stewart 5, Jesse Mather 2, Kyal Woolnough, Trevor Chambers 1.
Best: Michael Castricum, Matt Steer, Robbie Stewart, Kyal Woolnough.
