ON A windy day at Woori Yallock the sixthplaced Brookers took on the fifthplaced home side in a battle to keep the Brookers finals chances alive. In the end Gembrook’s inability to convert with the wind cost the game in a frustrating and disappointing effort after halftime.
The heat was on early with Craig Clarke taking on the evergreen Damien Monkhorst in the ruck the Brookers jumped their more fancied opponents early with Tristan Whytcross, Shannon Richardson and Ian Litterbach working hard around the packs. Woori Yallock had the wind in the first quarter but the Brookers did all the attacking early and were rewarded when Andrew Shipp goaled. The Brookers took the lead into the first change by a point.
The Brookers had the wind in the second quarter but Woori Yallock managed to slow the game and play the dead side of their home ground. Brett Andrews’ punt from 60 metres was Gembrook’s sole goal for the quarter allowing the Brookers a twopoint lead at the halftime break.
In the third quarter Woori Yallock piled on six goals in a barrage of attacking football that left the Brookers stunned and the back line’s efforts were not enough.
The Brookers regained composure when Jarrad Matthews goaled from a tight angle and when Tristan Whytcross goaled to bridge the gap the Brookers were still in the game at the last change, trailing by four goals.
In the last quarter the Brookers missed opportunities that were gettable and allowed the Tigers to run out comfortable winners by 40 points. Gembrook’s back line was gallant, led by Paul Sankey and Steve Robins, while Damian Smethurst, Tristan Whytcross and Shannon Richardson all played well for the Brooker’s.
“It’s disappointing to loose the way we did, we were right in the game at half time. Two goals and twelve points with the wind is not what you would normally expect. We dropped our intensity and missed too many goals today. Woori pressured us into errors and then hurt us on the rebound as a good team will do. For a half we were good again, but that’s not good enough.”
Scores: Woori Yallock 14.15.99 d GembrookCockatoo 7.17.59.
Goals: Tristan Whytcross 2, Brett Andrews, Andrew Shipp, Jarrod Matthews Shannon Richardson and Andrew Walker 1.
Best: Paul Sankey, Tristan Whytcross, Damian Smethurst, Steve Robins.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:RESERVES
The Brookers took the field with only 20 players, following late callups to the seniors and withdrawals.
The Brookers kicked with a fourgoal wind but the team failed to get its usual run going. Dean Alcott, Nick Green and Scott Osseweyer were working hard on the ball and with strong work from Harry Chernishoff and Dave Hope the Brookers were able to capitalise on the breeze and take a handy lead at quartertime.
In the third quarter Grant Croaker was working strongly in the ruck and Scott Osseweyer was dominating at centre halfback, allowing nothing to get through, with Mitch Evans providing run through the middle. The Brookers at threequarter time had a nine point lead.
The last quarter was the Brookers’ best in a while.
The move of Glen Waters to play spare in the back line had immediate effect. Clint Osseweyer, Nick Green and Dean Allcott started to dominate. With Steve Goodie and Nathan Thomas winning at centre halfforward the Brookers piled on three goals into the wind.
Scott Osseweyer lifted again to produce a bestonground performance and with a great running goal from Tristan Pinkster the Brookers ran away with a comfortable win
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 9.10.64 d Woori Yallock 5.7.37.
Goals: Chris Bourne 3, Dave Hope 2, Dean Allcott, Glen Waters, Steve Goodie, Tristan Pinkster 1.
