GembrookCockatoo’s Paul McKenzie takes a strong mark in defence.GEMBROOKCockatoo suffered its third defeat on the trot in another disappointing effort after having been in control of the game at halftime.
Captain Craig Clarke won the toss and kicked with a threegoal breeze in the first quarter and the Brookers’ Mitch Hedger swooped on the ball from the first centre bounce and kicked a long goal to get the home side away. Andrew Shipp continued his fine form while Clarke, Glenn Penglase and Eric Pope were working hard around the stoppages. In tough windy conditions the Brookers were not able to convert their opportunities up forward, holding only an 11point lead at the first break.
At the huddle Pope was assigned to run with the dangerous Stollie and the Brookers were instructed to run and carry to ball into the breeze. Matt O’Neil provided the avenue to goal up forward after a great pass from Max Croaker. When under18 firstgamer Aaron Cameron goaled, followed by another by Brett Andrews the Brookers had opened up a sixgoal lead midway through the second quarter. Healesville hit back though with the last two goals of the quarter to cut the gap to 20 points at halftime.
The third quarter cost the Brookers the game when the players deviated from their plan, dropping their intensity and commitment and allowing a more determined Healesville take control. Healesville booted 2.2 to the Brookers’ three points for the quarter.
Healesville had the momentum in the last quarter and with the aid of the breeze was able to hold the Brookers at bay and win by 17 points.
Scores: Healesville 12.14.86 d GembrookCockatoo 10.9.69.
Goals: Paul Sankey 3, Craig Clarke, Matt O’Neil, Brett Andrews, Mitch Hedger, Aaron Cameron 1.
Best: Andrew Shipp, Matt O’Neil, Tristan Whytcross, Craig Clarke.
RESERVES
In windy conditions at home the Brookers included vicecaptain Ben Fenton, Mitch Evans and Justin Penglase and Nick Green came back.
The Brookers started better than in previous weeks but a hard and physical Healesville side bottled the ball up, causing the Brookers not to take full advantage of the wind. Promising signs from youngsters Ben Fenton and Mitch Evans on the wings, and Kym Osseweyer’s strong hands in defence gave the side a confident start.
In the second quarter the Brookers kicked against a tough wind. With strong work from the centre Chris Bourne, Penglase, Clint Osseweyer and Dean Allcott managed to bottle up the ball. The back line held firm under a constant barrage. The forward setup was working effectively and the Brookers went in at halftime two goals down.
The third quarter was the decider. The Brookers took the lead halfway through the quarter and a solid back line kept the four points up at the last change.
In a tense last quarter the Brookers attacked throughout. A goal halfway through the quarter by Matt Timothy gave the Brookers an eightpoint lead but Healesville clawed back the difference to two points. Great ruckwork by Grant Croaker and Steve Paul kept the ball bottled up at ballups and boundary throwins and smart play by the midfielders kept the Brookers ahead.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 9.4.58 d Healesville 7.14.56.
Goals: Matt Timothy 4, Matt Failla, Brendan Connell 2, Chris Bourne 1.
UNDER 18
The game started at a fast pace but within 30 seconds Tim Gray went down with an ankle injury. When the game restarted, Healesville opened its account with a goal. Gembrook pushed forward and Todd Pye kicked its only goal for the quarter. Healesville pushed forward in numbers and ended the quarter two goals up.
The Bloods opened the second quarter with a major and knee injury to John Shipp diminished Gembrook’s forward movement. Alex Schueddekopf kicked the Brookers’ first goal of the quarter and James Hampton kicked a goal on the halftime siren.
In an even third quarter the Bloods had plenty of possessions but James Hampton scored another great goal, giving GembrookCockatoo 1.1 to Healesville’s 1.6.
With the game on the line, Todd Pye opened the last quarter with a quick goal for the Brookers. With the help of a 50metre penalty, the Bloods opened their fourth quarter account. A Nathan Leversha goal brought Gembrook back into the game and Michael Webster’s goal tightened it right up. The Brookers fought the game out well, finishing the quarter 3.0 to 1.1.
Scores: Healesville 7.17.59 d GembrookCockatoo 7.4.46.
Goals: Todd Pye, James Hampton 2, Alex Schueddekopf, Nathan Leversha, Michael Webster 1.
Best: Grainger Hartridge, Todd Pye, Nathan Leversha, Michael Webster.
