Narre Warren swooper Brendan Kimber collects a loose ball ahead of Doveton pursuers Ricky Hayes and Shannon Clarke in Saturday’s thrilling match between the two Casey Cardinia powerhouses.By Brad Kingsbury
FIFTEEN minutes of superb running football was the difference between Doveton continuing its 22game winning streak or capitulating to heirapparent Narre Warren on Saturday.
The Doves booted seven unanswered goals in a dominant start to the third term and then had to hold off the Magpies for the next quarter and a half after they refused to accept defeat without a fight.
The final margin of 17 points failed to reflect the tension of the last 10 minutes as Narre Warren frittered away several chances to snatch back the lead, before lastgasp goals to David George and Ryan Hendy sealed another famous Doveton victory.
This was a fitting match of the day in front of a finalssized crowd, played between two proud and passionate league leaders and was the best advertisement for grassroots football any cynic could ever ask for.
Magpies coach Aussie Jones was forced to make two key changes to the side that thrashed Berwick in round one after both Clark brothers, Lee and Ricky, were forced out with injuries.
The game started at a furious pace with Narre Warren opening with a strong attack on the ball and gaining an early advantage, despite kicking against a steady breeze that abated during the afternoon.
Doveton rallied late in the first quarter with youngsters Rohan Scott and Michael Henry helping stem the tide and at the first break, despite having most of the play, the Magpies led by only five points.
The second term developed into a torrid affair with neither side giving the other any space and the body contact in close was fierce and unrelenting.
Star Magpie Brett Evans caused Doveton plenty of headaches, as did powerful ruckrover Michael Collins who used his strength to break away from packs and drive the ball forward on several occasions.
Regular Doveton backman Brad Downe relished a release from the key defensive role to drift forward on a number of occasions, finishing the day with three goals and creating several others.
At the main break Narre Warren led by seven points and many at the ground were predicting a new premiership favourite was about to be crowned.
However, Doveton proved its perfect 2005 season was no fluke after halftime and turned on the magic to score seven unanswered goals and build a buffer that proved just too great for their opponents to pull back.
Justin Hill moved from defence to the centre and sparked the Doves with a combination of smart play and brilliance, while Ryan Hendy and David George broke free of their tags to boot important, teamlifting goals.
Narre Warren dug deep late in the third quarter to stem the flow with two goals, but the 21point difference at threequarter time proved telling in the context of the game.
In years past, few would have contemplated challenging again at that point in a game at the Doves’ home ground, but the 2006 Magpies are different and attacked the last quarter with every intention of winning.
Doveton twice scored goals against the flow to nearly seal the game, but Jones midfield rotations saw the Magpies kick back again and again.
At the 26minute mark of the final term there was five points in the game with all the play in the Magpies’ forward half and the crowd cheering every possession from both teams.
The game was put to bed deep into timeon, when George marked and goaled from 35 metres and then Hendy booted his third major from the boundary.
Relieved Doveton coach Stephen Henwood was thrilled with his side’s win and said it was an important step in the club’s quest to remain the best.
“It was a good indicator. It was a case of saying ‘hang on, if we’re going to do it again it will be a great achievement.’ We’ve got to be extra hungry,” he said.
“Narre Warren is always such a threat, they’re like terriers. They really switched their players around a lot and probably taught us a lesson in that area.
“I’m very happy with the win, of course. There would have been blokes walking around after the game, had we been beaten, saying that it was good to have a loss.
“That’s bullshit, not today, not in front of the big crowd, not against a side that can seriously challenge you.”
Henwood also said that Narre Warren would only get better given the two Clark boys were missing.
However Jones refused to use that as an excuse and said his side still had a way to go before it reached the required level.
“I spoke to the boys afterwards and said that we’re not interested in honourable losses. We were missing a couple of good players but we still had 21 and so did they. Although there was positives we know we still have ground to make up,” he said.
“I was more disappointed for the young guys that haven’t played in a side that’s beaten Doveton yet.
“We had our opportunities with 25 scoring shots (at goal) to 20, but full credit to them, they kicked their goals from the middle whereas we went a little bit wide.
“Obviously coming up against the reigning premiers you learn what’s required and this game was my main guide for the year.”
Jones praised the efforts of Glenn Hamilton and Jesse Edmond who had the jobs on George and Hendy, while Henwood said his side’s commitment to keep winning was the most pleasing aspect of the game for him.
