GEMBROOKCockatoo suffered another lastquarter fadeout and Wandin was able to run over the Brookers and snatch an 18point win in the dying minutes on Saturday. With scores tied with only three minutes remaining it was the Bulldogs’ coolness that prevailed.
Gembrook opened well, kicking the first two goals before Wandin steadied and took a sevenpoint lead into the first break. Craig Clarke was the target up forward while, Andrew Shipp, Shannon Richardson, Max Croaker and Glenn Penglase were relentless and Steve Goodie’s work rate did not go unnoticed.
Gembrook was flat but still somehow managed to stay in the game in the second quarter after Wandin opened up a fivegoal lead before Gembrook hit back hard with two late goals in the quarter to reduce the margin to 14 points. Tristan Whytcross, Steve Robins, Travis Bartin and Penglase were prominent during the first half, but the Brookers needed to be sparked into action at the halftime break.
In the third quarter a more determined and hardrunning Gembrook outfit took control as Goodie, Daniel Wilkie and Croaker along with firstgamer Phil Muratore, piled on the goals. The Brookers hit the lead and opened up a handy twogoal margin by the threequartertime siren. The break could have been more except for inaccurate kicking for goal costing the team and keeping the Bulldogs in the game.
The tempo lifted another gear in the last quarter and the crowd was treated to tight, tough, heartstopping football. Wandin made a charge at the Brookers with two early goals to draw level. A Gembrook snap on goal hit the post and the Bulldogs swiftly moved the ball from the kickout into attack and a big grab in the goal square was followed by a goal. With only minutes left Wandin kicked another two to run out winners in a disappointing end for Gembrook, which managed only four behinds for the quarter.
Penglase took bestonground honours for the second week in a row, while Bartin, Croaker, Andrew Shipp and Steve Hedger all played well.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 14.13.97 lost to Wandin 17.13.115.
Goals: Steve Goodie, Matt O’Neil, Daniel Wilkie, Craig Clarke 2, Phil Muratore, Brett Andrews, Max Croaker, Steve Pantorno, Glenn Penglase, Andrew Shipp 1.
Best: Glenn Penglase, Steve Goodie, Andrew Shipp, Craig Clarke, Max Croaker.
RESERVES
The Brookers travelled to Wandin with a finals berth at stake.
The return of Matt Timothy, Damian Smethurst, Mitch Evans, Scott Osseweyer, Nathan Kruzicevic and Ben Fenton helped the Brookers, but a slow start allowed Wandin to come out firing. Dean Allcott in his first game as captain spurred the Brookers on and at quartertime the Brookers had a onegoal advantage.
In the second quarter a determined Wandin side piled on three quick goals with Dave Hamilton, the Thomas boys, Tristan Pinkster, Ben Nickoll and Scott Osseweyer were putting up brave resistance. The Brookers regrouped through great running from Clint Osseweyer, Ben Fenton, Mick Granieri and Mitch Evans and were able to claw back within a goal at halftime.
In the third quarter the move of Evans (two goals) to the wing and Graneri to the pocket provided instant results. Dave Hope dominated the halfforward flank and kicked two and the onballers lifted. Hamilton was working hard in defence and Pinkster was providing plenty of run out of the back line.
In the last quarter another solid effort saw the Brookers home to victory.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 12.9.81 d Wandin 6.13.49.
Goals: Dean Hester 5, Dave Hope, Mitch Evans, Matt Failla 2, Damian Smethurst, Dean Allcott 1.
Best: Ben Nickoll, Clint Osseweyer, Dave Hamilton, Dean Allcott.
UNDER 18
Wandin’s intensity surprised Gembrook early but the Brookers lifted their work rate and with good team work managed to outscore the home team five goals to two. Jarrod Scott got on top in the ruck contests and found Michael Allen at the clearances and the forwards kicked six goals. Todd Pye at full forward got good delivery from up the ground and kicked four for the quarter.
In the third quarter Wandin outscored the Brookers four goals to three but in the last the back line and midfield dominated play and limited Wandin to one goal.
Scores: GembrookCockatoo 20.12.132 d Wandin 10.7.67.
Goals: Todd Pye 8, Alex Scheuddekopf, Andrew Walker 3, Aaron Cameron, Craig Luscombe 2, Dailan Ellis, Phil Muratore 1.
Best: Todd Pye, Andrew Walker, Jarrod Scott, Michael Allen, Grainger Hartridge.
