Reserves Go Back-to-Back! - Brunswick Football Club

The Juggernaut broke its 14-year premiership drought last year in convincing style, and just 12 months later they’ve done it again, only this time it was a struggle all day, as we only hit the front for the first time in the match with about a minute to go!! But like Kiwi in the Melbourne Cup, the storming run to the finish was timed to perfection and the Cup was ours….

The wind was blowing in Niddrie, a strong nor-easter heading towards the Buckley St goals. It was a hot day, the ground was rock hard & the opponent was going to be much tougher than in the 2nd semi. Only one change from the 2nd semi side for North, with the unlucky Steven Cook making way for Jamie Fisher who returned from injury.

The Friars won the toss and kicked with the gale. And when no 61 (did he carve us up) bombed a goal from 50m just 3 minutes in, signs weren’t good. Though the NOBSPC back six had other ideas, as led by co-skipper Michael Carney, time and time again they cooly repelled the Friars forays forward. Nick “Hank” Evans was everywhere, Tristan Dower was rebounding continually, Danny Kingfollowed his great game in the 2nd semi with yet another composed performance , Benny O’Halloran his usual cool, calm and collected self, and the spiritual leader Brendan Sheehan was an inspiration with his courage. The back six did as good as could be asked in the circumstances. They were helped by the on-ballers, notably Dan Moloney who forever seemed to be spinning, weaving and baulking out of trouble.

Despite the best efforts of the backs the continual supply from the gale (15-4 inside 50 for Q1) meant goals were inevitable. The Friars goaled again at the 14 min and 19 min marks, and the COBs were let off the hook when a kick after the quarter time siren missed.

Quarter time: Whitefriars 3.5-23 v NOBSPC 0.0-0

The feeling amongst wise heads in the crowd was that the 4-goal margin was about par with the breeze. However early on in Q2 it was clear the COBs hadn’t clicked into gear, and were continually bombing the ball into the hands of the extra Friars numbers who had dropped back.

It wasn’t until the 15 min mark that through the ever reliable boot of Michael “Booba” Barker that North finally scored a goal (after a booming kick from Evo from the centre circle actually went through for a goal but advantage wasn’t paid!!). When it was followed up by co-skipper Jason “Tip Rat” Weider running into an open goal two minutes later, all of a sudden a half time lead seemed possible.

But it wasn’t to be, as despite all the play (17-5 inside 50s), and a flying Nick Evans snap following a big Queen Mary like u-turn, we went in down at half time.

Half time: Whitefriars 3.6 – 24 v NOBSPC 2.2 – 14

After an emotional plea from coach Rush to lift at half time (and the application of the zinc cream by the likes of Sheehan, Alsop, Doolan and Dobson) the hard-working blue-collar COBs midfield lifted is work-rate and dragged us back into the contest.

Hunter, Le Maitre, Alsop, Browne & co-started barging through and winning the clearances, and the momentum was starting to turn our way. Ten minutes in and we were holding firm. Josh Hunter especially was setting the example, his Reiwoldt like mark running back with the flight of the ball won’t be forgotten. Not to mention Luke “Raging Bull” Davison who’s attack on the ball and fearlessness has quickly made him a cult hero. That’s not to say the pressure wasn’t getting to us a little bit, as the domestic between Josh Buckely and Mark Verlado showed!

Then a stray kick in in the 11th minute gave the Friars a goal to stretch the lead back out to 21 points. Undeterred North continued to scrap and hold the ball up as we battle the gale winds. Again the ball was camped in the forward 50 of the Buckley St end, but Chilli-Con Carney and co weren’t flustered, and were able to rush behinds, spoil shots through and didn’t give the Friars any space or any easy shots on goal.

Then at the 19 min mark, Spud Le Maitre took a wonderful mark about 30m out. He couldn’t make the distance, so he gave the handball to Dan Moloney who gave it everything, and punched the air with delight as the ball sailed through for what would be the only goal into the breeze all game.

Though North relaxed after this goal, and the Friars kicked two goals in the next three minutes to stride out to a worrying 29 point 3/4 time lead.

Three quarter time: Whitefriars 6.14 – 50 v NOBSPC 3.3 – 21

NOBSPC had only kicked 3 goals all game, and needed 5 one quarter to win. But there was no doubts in the huddle that this game was well within our reach, such is the self-belief in this group after getting out of many such tight spots over the past two seasons. North nearly had the perfect start inside the first minute, when live-wire forward Josh Minenko had a shot from the boundary line that grazed the inside of the post. The COBs were trying too hard early in the last quarter and were making some silly errors, but then at the 5 min mark Booba Barker nailed one after a great grab and the margin was inside 4 goals. Game on.

At the 9 min mark Minenko had a shot from almost the exact same spot as from the start of the quarter. He proved he was a quick learner and drilled it. Now within 3 goals, and the bigger Friars side were stopping. But they fought valienty as for the next seven minutes of frantic play there was no score. As we neared time-on the Tip Rat scored a point, then Barker again stood tall and again converted under pressure to close the game to under 2 goals. Over the next three minutes NOBSPC scored three points, and at the 20 minute mark the difference was 6 points. Would we run out of time?

Then in the famous final minutes, recollections are hazy after the madness… from what I can remember, Barker was again the man, and he snuck in his 4th for the day to level the scores, deep into time on. From the next bounce North surged forward again (Dellwo and Fisher controlled the ruck all day), and about 30m out on the boundary the Tip Rat (Weids) in a Wayne Harmes like moment smashed the ball back into the corridor, where the silky Rhys “Crackers” Allitt took possession, dodged around two, crashed through another and snapped a miracle goal. Cue bedlam amongst the players and the hundreds of COBs behind the goals.

Only moments after the re-start the siren sounded, and the celebrations begun… and are still continuing and will do for some time.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4
NOBSPC	0.0 – 0	2.2 – 14	3.3 – 21	8.8 – 56
WHITEFRIARS	3.5 – 23	3.6 – 24	6.14 – 50	6.14 – 50

NOBSPC Goals: Michael Barker (4), Dan Moloney, Jason Weidner, Josh Minenko, Rhys Allitt
Best Players: Ben O’Halloran, Josh Hunter, Nick Evans, Chris Le Maitre, Michael Barker, Dan Moloney

The side

BACKS	Danny King	Michael Carney (C)	Tristan Dower
HALF BACKS	Brendan Sheehan (SL)	Nick Evans	Ben O’Halloran
CENTRES	David Stribley	Dan Moloney	Josh Minenko
HALF FORWARDS	Jason Weidner (C)	Michael Barker	Luke Davison
FORWARDS	Paul Bryar	Mark Verlado	Jarryd Browne
RUCKS	Boyd Dellwo	Josh Hunter	Chris Le Maitre
INTERCHANGE:	Rhys Allitt (C)	Mick Rapa	Tom Alsop	Jamie Fisher
EMERGENCIES:	Steven Cook	Lewis Citroen	Luke Sheehan