Gembrook-Cockatoo v Olinda-Ferny Creek
AN INSPIRED eight goal third quarter allowed Gembrook-Cockatoo Football Club to farewell its champion ruckman Craig Clarke in style on Saturday.
In slippery conditions, the Brookers fielded a stronger side for the last game of the season and played with enough determination to see off the Bloods by 17 points.
Shane Williams won the toss for Gembrook and elected to kick to the railway end.
In an even first quarter, Owen Millwood did well in the ruck for Olinda while Rosier and Noorda gave the Bloods plenty of pace around the ground.
Richardson was lively at full forward for Gembrook and Williams won a lot of the ball in the centre.
Some undisciplined actions from Gembrook players allowed the Bloods to twice goal after 50 metre penalties.
Clarke and Whytcross linked up to provide Gough with a mark for a Gembrook goal but Owen Millwood scored the easiest reply for the visitors.
Late in the piece, Cracknell’s clever shot off the ground enabled the Brookers to draw to within seven points at quarter time.
Olinda dominated the start of the second quarter and slammed on four quick goals to extend the lead to 32 points.
Broomhall and Josh Rankin continually drove the Bloods forward and allowed Beattie and Stevens to take advantage.
Olinda players marked well and looked too pacy for their opponents.
The Brookers’ fortunes began to change towards the end of the quarter when Williams got right on top in the middle and started to bring Gough into the game.
A strong mark from Main gave Gembrook its fourth goal. Williams, Cracknell and Gough then combined to set up Clarke for another.
The Brookers were beginning to hit form for the first time in many weeks and two late goals from Richardson reduced the margin to 14 points at half time.
Richardson booted yet another goal at the start of the third term, signalling the start of a Gembrook avalanche.
Gough produced one of his finest quarters and completely flummoxed his opponent.
Williams was still generating most of the clearances, Daniel Feild came into the game, David Main marked strongly, and Richardson seemed determined to finish the season off well.
Cracknell put through his second, Gough booted two long goals, and RIchardson’s handpass allowed Craig Clarke to stroll in for his last goal for Gembrook.
In defence, Martin and Andrew Feild were both playing their usual effective roles, while Liam Henzen was getting back to his best form.
The Brookers led by 18 points at the last change and were playing like winners.
After a tight start to the last quarter, Main’s strong mark in the goal square gave the Brookers a winning break.
Olinda kept on coming and goals to Wallis and Noorda set Gembrook nerves jangling.
Richardson steadied the ship with his fifth goal and with his unceasing urgings to teammates.
Late in the game, the Bloods reduced the margin to just 12 points.
Some inspirational play from the low-profile Bertuna and a brilliant solo defensive effort from the veteran Whytcross helped to resist the visitors’ charge.
Fittingly, it was Williams who marked and settled the issue with another accurate shot at goal.
Gembrook-Cockatoo 18.8 (116) d Olinda-Ferny Creek 15.9 (99)
