Senior GembrookCockatoo coach Matthew O’Neil in warmup mode.IN an exciting game, highlighted by 44 goals, GembrookCockatoo fought hard against last season’s grand finalists Silvan to lose by 29 points on Saturday.
In good conditions Silvan, at home, jumped the Brookers and with its hard running and strong attack at the football, skipped away to a fivegoal lead.
The first quarter set the tone for the game with 12 goals scored and both forward lines providing headaches for the defences.
At quarter time Silvan held a 14point lead.
In the second quarter Silvan ran all over the Brookers with David Mazins five majors setting up a matchwinning 53point lead at the halftime break.
First blood in the second half went to the Cats that extended their lead to a massive 60 points.
The Brookers intensity lifted and when Paul Mackenzie goaled and then followed in quick succession by goals to Matt O’Neil and two to Steve Goodie, Gembrook had control of the quarter.
Silvan hit back, but Gembrook regrouped with goals to Craig Clarke, Andrew Shipp and Glen Waters to reduce the margin to 34 points at the last change.
The Brookers scored first through Craig Clarke before Mazins again steadied the home side.
A long bomb from Andrew Shipp and another to Paul Sankey gave the Brookers a chance.
Gembrook had the momentum, but could not break the fourgoal margin, Silvan holding on to win by 29 points.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 20.9.129 lost to Silvan 24.14.158.
Goals: Paul Sankey 4, Terry Kendall 2, Craig Clarke 2, Steve Goodie 2, Paul Mackenzie 2, Andrew Shipp 2, Matt O’Neil, Nathan Thomas, Glenn Penglase, Eric Pope, Glen Waters, Shannon Richardson 1.
Best: Eric Pope, Craig Clarke, Mitch Hedger, Paul Sankey, Andrew Shipp.
RESERVES
The Brookers went to Silvan and came away with a disappointing 88point loss.
From the first bounce the Brookers showed that they meant business.
With a backline strengthened by the return of Baxter and Hamilton and with the hardhitting Clint Osseweyer, Brendan Connell and Jamie Wilkie in the centre, the signs looked promising.
The second quarter was the Brookers best for the year, holding the running Silvan to three goals.
The third quarter started badly with a running Silvan outclassing the Brookers and piling on 10 goals for the term.
In the last quarter the Brookers attempted to close the deficit with good work by David Hamilton, Steve Paull, Aaron Cameron, Dean Allcott and the Osseweyer brothers.
However, inaccurate kicking left the final score a disappointment to the players.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 8.13.61 lost to Silvan 22.11.143.
Goals: Aaron Cameron 3, Matt Timothy 2, David Hope, Brendan Connell, Simon Sharlott 1.
Best: Clint Osseweyer, Scott Osseweyer, D Baxter, Aaron Cameron, Steve Paull.
UNDER 18
GembrookCockatoo had a great 35point win over Silvan.
The Brookers opened with three quick goals from fullforward Todd Pye.
The teamwork showed by the players was a reflection on their commitment to preseason training.
The end of the quarter saw the Brookers 23 points up.
In the second quarter, the backline was strong only allowing Silvan three goals, while four goalkickers added another seven to the Brookers’ tally.
In the third, Silvan played desperate football and kicked three quick three goals.
The final quarter saw Silvan come out firing to kick another three quick goals and with ten minutes to go the scores were getting tight.
The tired Brookers rallied to kick a final goal to match the Cats five for the quarter, ending up with a comfortable win.
Scores: Gembrook Cockatoo 21.7.133 d Silvan 15.8.98.
Goals: Todd Pye 5, Nathan Laversher 5, John Shipp 4, Andrew Hilder 2, Michael Webster 2, Luke Mawson 2, Alex Schueddekopf 1.
Best: Todd Pye, Nathan Laversher, Grainger Hartridge, Phil Muratore.
This week the club hosts Healesville.
