Getting your hands on the footy is the hard part. Using it effectively is something that can be taught.
And North Beach might spend a little time over coming weeks addressing efficient distribution after losing by 19 points in a clutch game against Collegians at Dalkeith Oval on Saturday.
The Tigers kept with a long-standing tradition and won plenty of hard, contested football, but poor decision making and disposal proved an issue. After controlling the game in the first half and deserving a far greater return than a five-point advantage, the Beach was over-run in the second half.
Collectively, the effort in the opening half was fantastic by the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade combination. Tackling pressure was superb, though very rarely rewarded, and through the likes of Stave Bandy, Kyle Riemann, Beau Witheridge and Matt Power plenty of opportunities were created.
Up forward, Josh Pearce, Sam Palm and Ben Wilson looked dangerous while defensively Aaron Jarvis, ‘Chooka’ Ingham and Ryan Underwood consistently repelled the opposition’s attacking sorties.
But after the main break, the complexion of the game changed and Collegians took control. They ran hard, used the ball to advantage and kicked six goals to two to win 12.6 (78) to 8.11 (59). The loss puts North Beach’s quest for a top three position at peril, but it remains achievable with a committed approach.
The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves overcame efficiency problems of their own after quarter-time to maintain their unbeaten record.
After scoring 0.6 in the first term, an eight-goal second quarter effectively determined the contest, with the Beach dominating play.
Liam Vardy was outstanding in the ruck in conjunction with Ned Melvin, Josh Stott provided energy and run through the midfield while Jackson Harwood, Michael Italiano and Marc Welsh were all dangerous up forward and kicked 10 goals between them, as their team won 15.12 (102) to 4.5 (29).
The Nuchange Phil Scott Colts produced their most authorative performance of the season, eclipsing Collegians 21.9 (135) to 4.5 (29).
The pattern of the game was established early, with the Beach dominating through the midfield where Michael Hutchings, Jack McPhee and Sam Lamont were outstanding while Terry O’Brien and Mitch McGovern relished the steady supply and kicked 10 between them.
Tom Begley and Brendan Collins were terrific in the ruck while the defensive pressure all over the ground was first rate. Bodhi Stubber, Joel Gray and Bronson Leo were good defensively, but also produced outstanding rebound and organised the zone effectively.
The Townley Group D-Grade team continued its rich vein of form with an emphatic 53-point win over University, 13.8 (86) to 5.9 (33).
University is a quality outfit, but the Beach had all the answers skipping out to a handy advantage at quarter-time and never relinquishing the lead. Jamie Cosgrove and Jarrad Venus were exceptional through the midfield, while Kent Traeger, Jacob Griffiths and Jordan Kickett were ubiquitous up forward.
Defensively Scott Cheetham, Josh Bubnich and Rob Ewen stood resolutely and the team is now ready for the challenge against ladder leader Trinity Aquinas at Bill Grayden Reserve next Saturday.
The Clipstar D1-Reserves found the challenge against University insurmountable, losing by 80 points.
Unfortunately, they were never in the hunt although the endeavour could not be questioned. Chris Langsford, Ton Mirabile and Ronald O’Neill were all in good form for the Beach, but the class of the Scholars was too much to overcome.
The Tuck Plumbing Brett Jones Colts fell one agonising point short of victory against University in a clutch match in terms of ladder positions – losing 7.9 (51) to 7.10 (52).
After an encouraging start, the Beach dropped off in intensity in the middle quarters, before rediscovering their mojo in the second half, but falling narrowly short of success.
Riley Carter was exceptional in defence, Elias Cuzens worked hard, as did Jacob Cropley and Shaheed Duke, but all to no avail.
The Pana’s Pool Supplies E2-Grade remain a serious premiership contender after an emphatic 87-point win over High Wycombe.
Sam Keeley finished off the good work of a dominant midfield to kick seven goals while Mitch Clarke enjoyed the opportunity to back up from the colts and Brett Anthony was best afield.
Details
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
Collegians 3.0 6.2 9.5 12.6 78
North Beach 4.2 6.7 7.10 8.11 59
Goals – North Beach: J Pearce 3; Wilson, Palm 2; Dwyer 1.
Best – North Beach: Bandy, Bollen, Witheridge, Ingham, Hack.
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
North Beach 0.6 8.8 10.9 15.12 102
Collegians 1.0 2.0 3.4 4.5 29
Goals – North Beach: Harwood 4; Italiano, Welsh 3; Stott 2; Burns, Hackett, Melvin 1.
Best – North Beach: Vardy, Sweeney, Melvin, Stott, Italiano.
Nuchange Phil Scott Colts
North Beach 6.1 9.5 14.7 21.9 135
Collegians 0.2 2.2 4.4 4.5 29
Goals – North Beach: O’Brien, McGovern 5; McPhee 3; Begley, Hackett 2; Goddard-Nash, Golisano, Hutchings, Barden 1.
Best – North Beach: Gray, McGovern, Hutchings, Horton-French, O’Brien, Begley, Hackett, Collins.
Townley Group D1-Grade
North Beach 3.3 4.4 8.6 13.8 86
University 1.1 2.2 3.5 5.9 39
Goals – North Beach: Kickett 4; Griffiths 3; Foreman, Traeger 2; Cosgrove, Hogg 1.
Best – North Beach: Cheetham, Traeger, Ewen, Cosgrove, Bubnich, Venus.
Clipstar D1-Reserves
University 17.10 (112) def North Beach 4.8 (32)
Goals – North Beach: Van der Kraats 2; Jardine, Manaukau 1.
Best – North Beach: C Langsford, Mirabile, O’Neill.
Tuck Plumbing Brett Jones Colts
University 1.1 4.5 6.8 7.10 52
North Beach 2.2 3.3 4.8 7.9 51
Goals – North Beach: Duke, Tincknell 2; Bubnich, Cuzens 1.
Best – North Beach: Carter, Cuzens, Copley.
Pana’s Pool Supplies E-2 Grade
North Beach 15.8 (98) def High Wycombe 1.5 (11)
Goals – North Beach: Keeley 7; Cole 3; King 2; Clarke, Perris, Cuzens 1.
Best – North Beach: Anthony, Clarke, Pike, King.
