By Gary Stocks

Thank goodness for the Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts!

Had it not been for them it would have been a barren day for the North Beach Football Club. A day that began full of hope, with five teams contesting big finals, ended with just the solitary victory, the colts finishing over the top of Mt Lawley in the preliminary final.

The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves fell short in their preliminary final against Fremantle CBC, while the Red Hill Brett Jones Colts, the Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves and the Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade all played in grand finals at Mills Park in Kenwick and all were defeated.

A day that promised to produce great memories, caused only heartache.

But that’s the nature of sport. Unpredictable. Capable of generating such great highs, but equally it can dispense pain and disappointment. Indeed, the chances of devastation are far higher than euphoria, for only one team, from a field of 10 can claim a premiership.

While Saturday was deflating, the season for those teams vanquished in the big games should be viewed as successful. Players from all teams were left a little empty, but their efforts over the course of the season were outstanding.

The day started well enough on the saucer they call Bill Grayden Reserve, with the Phil Scott Colts producing an irresistible final quarter surge to win by 12 points against Mt Lawley – 9.8 (62) to 7.8 (50).

Over the course of the season, these two combatants had played some enthralling football and this was another absorbing battle, with the Beach advancing to the grand final to play University this Saturday.

It was a typically tough, uncompromising clash with scores locked together at three-quarter time before Craig Dalton’s boys found another gear and produced an exhilarating last 20 minutes which will serve them well going into this week’s battle for the flag.

Nathan Adler kicked four goals in a brilliant display in attack while Ben Evans, Matt Holden, Andy Doyle, Jacob Desmond, Josh Tinckner and James Murray were also significant contributors in a terrific team performance.

The A-Reserves were also in a tight battle, but it was Fremantle CBC who stepped it up a notch in the final quarter to win by 13 points. When the CBC A-Grade team was eliminated early in the finals series, it was always going to be a formidable challenge, as a number of fringe players drifted back.

But the Beach was bold sand brave, led superbly by experienced players like Andrew Nunan, Alex Hack and Steve Bandy, while Mitch Cameron gave a glimpse into the future by kicking three goals and looming as a constant threat to the opposition.

At Kenwick things didn’t get any better, with the Brett Jones Colts out-pointed by University, eventually falling by 41 points. Though the endeavour could not be questioned, the Beach could not match the class of their opponents.

Jordan Mesiti, Jordan Brooks, Caelan O’Connell and Darby McCarthy did all they could to keep the Beach in the game, but ultimately it was a losing battle.

The D1-Reserves, started their game with optimism, but perhaps the pattern for the day began in the opening minute when spearhead Michael Bramley received a knock to the hip in the first contest and he played no part in the match.

By quarter time they were down to two fit players on the bench and then lost Tim Cavanagh to a heavy hit to the ribs in the third term.

That said, generally, University held sway and dominated through the midfield. Deon Jacobs, Cam Alco and Chris Langsford were always under pressure down back and although they thwarted many attacking moves eventually they were overwhelmed.

Jon Turner, Matt Allan and Joe Boys worked hard but could not generate enough quality football for their forwards.

The D1-Grade made an enterprising start against the undefeated Trinity Aquinas, but did not convert when they dominated the first 10 minutes of the match. That came back to haunt them because when their opponents eventually settled, they took their opportunities and held a three point advantage at the first change.

TAs then dominated the second term and from there, they were never under threat – although players like Dean Wilson, Simon Pearce and Ben Heap threw everything at the contest.

Along with emerging midfielder Christian Angelev and versatile big man Ben DeRosa, they tried to lift their teammates but too much was left to too few.

Details
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
Preliminary Final
Fremantle CBC 6.10 (46) def North Beach 5.3 (33)
Goals – North Beach: Cameron 3; Griffiths, Quinlan.
Best – North Beach: Nunan, Hack, Cameron, Bandy.

Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
Preliminary Final
North Beach       1.2         4.5         6.6         9.8         62
Mt Lawley           2.3         4.5         6.6         7.8         50
Goals – North Beach: Adler 4; Doyle 2; Holden, Lowndes, Waters.
Best –North Beach: Evans, Holden, Adler, Doyle, Desmond, Tinckner, Murray.

Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
Grand Final
Trinity Aquinas   2.0         6.2         8.6         11.9       75
North Beach         1.3          1.3           1.4         3.5       23
Best – North Beach: Pearce, D Wilson, Heap, Angelev, DeRosa.

Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
Grand Final
University            0.4         4.5         8.8         9.9         63
North Beach        0.1          1.2         3.6         3.6         24
Goals – North Beach: Potts, Allan, Callow.
Best – North Beach: Jacobs, Alco, Spies, Temm, Orr-Young, J Boys.

Red Hill Brett Jones Colts
Grand Final
University            3.4         6.8         8.9         9.10       64
North Beach        0.3         2.3         3.3          3.5         23
Goals – North Beach: Brooks 2; O’Connell.
Best – North Beach: Mesiti, Brooks, McCarthy, O’Connell.