You never really know how the last game of the season will play out. From the first bounce we could see how hard you were all prepared to play to try and win our last match and up until the final quarter, we all thought you would.

DJ layed a strong tackle at the outset to stamp his authority on the game. Tyler immediately took it up against a very strong opponent in the ruck whilst Nick ducked and weaved. However E. Brighton kept getting the ball back to their end. Despite his sore, cracked ribs Phil threw himself into the game and was unlucky not to slide the ball through for a goal. Will was playing well until he dislocated his finger and had to be taken to hospital (hope all is ok Wll). Nick and Matt helped to set up a great mark for Oli Wilde who then scored our first goal for the match.

DJ suffered a nasty blow to his knee and looked like he would have to come off after the 1st quarter but Marita's magic touch (which is stronger than the sponge) had him back on the ground for the rest of the match. During the 2nd quarter E. Brighton scored their third goal. Ryan played a captain's game, he layed a tackle, brushed off a tackle and drove the ball forward. Dan Francis, who recovered from last weeks somersault, was under, over and somehow in the mud once again. E. Brighton were playing with equal desperation with Tyler tossed aside at one point by their #4. A great breaking run by Nick out of the backline, DJ drove the ball forward and Patrick applied pressure to his opponent who promptly lost the ball. From the scoreboard we could see that all the players from both teams were in our backline - it was congested and desperate footy. 

In the 3d quarter we lifted the intensity of our game. DJ forgot his knee was heavily stapped and took on 3 opponents, Alex made a fantastic run from the backline with 4 bounces in the mud, in heavy traffic Nick got the ball to Tom who threaded it back to a hard running Nick whose effort was rewarded with a point. Moments later (with 3min left in the quarter), suddenly Nick was channeling Paul Chapman (sorry Precious) and snapped an impossible goal. Olli Wilde made a great second effort tackle and then Phil burst through the pack and kicked the ball to Tom who marked just on the siren. A third goal was Tom's reward for a lovely curling kick as he read the wind beautifully.

In the 4th quarter the opposition (read that as the 'twins') ran away with the game scoring 7 goals in the first 10 minutes - 3 from Fred who seemed to be everywhere, until we in the scoreboard we realised his twin was also playing. 

We may not have won the game but you have all shown great heart and a love of footy throughout the season and we are all proud of you.

A big thanks to all the parents who have helped out with duties during the season especially the weekly regulars, Marita as First Aid, Bill as Goal Ump, Leeanne and Paul for the oranges  and Precious as the voice from afar. An extra special thanks to Jeff who has been a terrific Coach and Tim as the sometimes breathless runner and ass. coach. Thanks also to Peter Marshall for coaching the team during the difficult grading period early on in the season. We hope to see you all again next year! JHS