A’s Match Report
Round 7 Coaches Report
Last Saturday we had a great single point win over Broadview 12.10 to 13.3. We knew Broadview were going to be tough opponents as they blew us away in a trial game earlier this year.
In the first half, both team’s defenses dominated as neither team were able to have an effective entry inside 50, this resulted in an extremely low scoring first half. We trailed 1.6 to 2.2.
In the second half things began to open up, midfielders were able to find time and space to execute their skills. Broadview played better than us in the third, they kicked 7 goals to our 5 in a free flowing quarter, very different to the first half. At three quarter time we trailed 6.6 to 9.2.
In the last quarter Broadview kicked the opening goal, to lead by 3 goals. PHOS players knowing our season was on the line really lifted, we started to take more risks and attack using the corridor, however we weren’t able to score a goals until the 16th minute mark. In the space of 7 minutes, Nick Ramsey kicked 2 amazing goals from 50 and Nick Westhoff kicked a goal of the year contender to put us in front. Broadview quickly replied to take the lead back, before some great crumbing work by Adam Scholz and a good goal to put us back in front by 1 point at the 27th minute mark.
Knowing there wouldn’t be long left the strategy was simple, kill the game . Loose players were sent back into defense and extra numbers pushed up around the ball to create multiple stoppage. Chewing up valuable time as we hoped to hang on. Our defense as they had done all day, held strong and won the contested ball. Our midfield worked tirelessly to keep the ball in without getting penalised for holding the ball, while our forward line did the best they could while outnumbered. The team strategy worked and we were able to hold on for 5 mins. An exceptional win for playing group, having been on the losing end of a close game the previous week.
Sam Inglis was best on ground, leading from the front and taking multiple intercept marks. Nick Westhoff and Henry Papatolis worked tirelessly in the midfield all day, without much rest to also be in our best.
This win was incredibly important for our hopes of playing finals this year. With the league ladder as tight as it is, there are 6 teams in contention for the final 3 spots. Our hopes will largely come down to this week’s game against Seaton, they have been playing well at home and this will be a tough opposition for us.
