We were presented with a cracking day for football on Saturday as the Cobras played host to South Mornington for the last game at the Snake Pit in 2015. The Tigers are out of the finals race in the seniors, though in the reserves they're locked into the top 6, a win would see them jump to 5th. For the thirteenth time this year, both Canterbury teams prevailed, and in doing so locked in top spot in the seniors, and second spot in the reserves.
While we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, we do know that both teams will be playing finals next week, something that hasn't happened at Canterbury in quite a few years, well done to everyone involved! The fixture and location of finals matches won't be released until early next wee, though Canterbury will play North Brunswick in both games if the ladder stays as it currently is. We'll be sure to keep you informed with any info as it comes to hand!
A big thanks to all who attended the trivia night on Saturday, and thanks also to Brad Richardson for hosting the night. Congratulations also to Tom Hunter who took home the $2500 raffle prize!
Reserves
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury | 6.1-37 | 14.5-89 | 15.9-99 | 18.13-121 |
| South Mornington | 0.2-2 | 3.5-23 | 6.7-43 | 9.8-62 |
Goal Kickers: M. Szabo 5, C. Woods 4, J. Price 2, C. Aligizakis 2, P. Gill, G. Driscoll, L. Giles, A. Szabo, C. Acutt
Best Players: M. Szabo, R. Goodwin, D. Wilden, N. Szabo, B. Toomey, S. Kelly
On a sunny and very mild mid August afternoon, the Cobra 2s faced South Mornington for the first time this year in a big clash to harden us up for finals pressure and to lock in a top 2 finish with a victory. With 3 late changes on the morning of the match, we called on our in form emergencies of Bergin, Stals, and Wilden to still field a strong side.
With skipper Straughnie pointing the finger to the tennis club end after a successful coin toss, we started on absolute fire, as our midfield of Gill, Goodwin, Woods, and Stals took full advantage of Gashmans dominance with the taps to give us enormous drive out of the Middle and get the ball quickly down to our dangerous forwards of Price, Hummerston, and Mitch Szabo. With our backline pressing well, by halftime we were nearly 70pts up and in real control of the match.
The third term South Mornington drop extra defenders into the hole 25m out from our goals, as they rebounded our attacks then ran the ball out with good switching play around our midfielders who were happy to run forward but caught on the hop running the other way. In a disappointing second half, we were out scored by our opponents, and were sucked in to playing the man over the footy which resulted in numerous Cobras losing the plot and losing focus on winning the ball firstly rather than wrestling or squaring things up with their dirty, feral opponents. But to the boys credit, we still ran out comfortable 55pt winners and have now locked in a top 2 finish which is a fantastic result.
Best players for the day were both Szabos in Nick and Mitch, Robbo Goodwin, Pat Gill, Gashman, Cam Woods, Hummer, Brodie Toomey, Stalsy, Straughnie, Driscoll, and big Clunks. Now for Westbourne to send a cat amongst the pigeons on the eve of the finals…
Doaky…
Seniors
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury | 11.2-68 | 21.8-134 | 29.14-188 | 37.22-244 |
| South Mornington | 3.1-19 | 5.2-32 | 7.4-46 | 8.5-53 |
Goal Kickers: C. Wynn 6, A. Baker 5, T. Lowden 5, R. Walmsley 3, R. Pearce 3, S. Fitzgerald 2, J. Gillen 2, D. Gates 2, L. Chapman 2, B. Peel, J. Wilson, S. Murphy, T. Hunter, R. Gates, T. Nichols, C. Skate
Best Players: T. Lowden, C. Wynn, D. Gates, R. Moody, S. Fitzgerald, A. Baker
A 1st v 9th last home game hit out probably wasn’t our preferred fixture hit out 2 weeks from finals but I felt that we got a fair bit out of the game.
It was important for us to set up our structures, improve skills and game fitness. Although we managed to kick 11 goals in the first quarter it was the 2nd & #rd quarters where I felt we played our best footy, moving the ball well and the forwards were well structured. Having 16 goal scorers for the day was very pleasing, Cam Wynn bagging 6 in his first forward role along with baker and Lowden chipping in with 5 each, the final score of 37.22 topped the div 4 highest score sweep for the season by 24 points.
Pleasing return games by B Peel and Jezza, both getting through unscathed and will be both needed in the middle in the upcoming games especially considering Wombats injury (hamstring) will probably keep him out for a couple.
Looking forward to heading over the Westgate to take on Westbourne next Saturday in a top of the table clash. Both sides will be keen to stamp themselves as main contenders in the finals series commencing the following week.
Hotdog rating this week 7.5
Harps…
After playing their last game at the Snake Pit last weekend, round 18 sees the club venture over the Westgate to take on Wesbourne Grammarians, who sit second on the ladder in the seniors and are on top & undefeated in the reserves. Last year in the matches out there the Warriors were good enough to get the points in both games, giving the seniors a touch up to the tune of 98 points, though when the teams met earlier this year the Cobras has their revenge, winning by 31 points. The reserves will also be keen to notch their first ever win against Westbourne, each time they've played the margin has shrunk – it was only 9 points earlier in the year – this could be the time the Cobras strike!
Join us back at the Harp of Erin on Saturday night from 7pm for the weekly awards and a few drinks.
