“2 out of 4 Ain’t Good Enough” from ‘The Outer Eye’
Norwood travelled to Balwyn for a Rd15 clash, our finals hopes hanging by the barest thread. At half time that thread was well and truly frayed as we trailed by 8 goals. A spirited 2nd half ensued in which we cut the gap to as little as 21 points, but it was too little too late as we eventually came up short by 24 points.
Norwood’s starts in games this year have been a fairly constant source of anguish for the faithful spectators and Saturdays was no different as we allowed Balwyn the first 5 goals of the game, albeit that they were kicking with a strong breeze. Our sole score for the quarter was a quick snap goal from Pat Weardon in time-on. At QT we trailed by 28 points, 1.0 – 5.4
To emphasise the difference in quality of play in the first half, Balwyn proceeded to kick 4 goals in the first 8 minutes of the quarter - despite kicking into the strong breeze - to effectively blow the game apart. Leigh Williams slotted a goal during this period after a nice spot up from Kreuzzer, but it hardly mattered as Balwyn put us to the sword, time and again rebounding off half-back through their small defender Weatherald, who was cutting us to pieces. Darin Stewart was toiling manfully in the ruck (Blake the lumberjack Charles forced back to the 2nds after a week of being ill), but too often it was Balwyn winning the clearances, and too often hitting their targets with slick handball or pinpoint kicking. We did kick another goal late in the quarter, a running goal from Gouldy, but were also guilty of missing several shots at goal that just had to be converted if we were to remain in the contest. At HT the damage had been done as we found ourselves 45 points in arrears 3.5 – 10.8.
Balwyn re-emerged after half time and seemed pretty comfortable with themselves, fairly safe in the knowledge that the game was theirs. They began to overuse the ball, and to put it bluntly, lairise. They paid the price as we began to get on top right across the ground. We limited them to just 2.4 with the breeze whilst kicking 4 straight ourselves. 8 minutes in Leroy took a one-hander and converted from close range on a tight angle to get us rolling. Against run of play Balwyn replied but 18 minutes in pat Weardon snapped his second goal from almost the exact same spot where he’d got his first in the first quarter. We were along way back but we were coming. Balwyn again converted against the run of play from a long way out, but Jordon Clarke marked strongly and converted right before the siren to give us some hope. Matthew Bate was playing a top game deep in defence, Leroy had a couple of goals to his name, Jordon Clarke was lively with sticky hands across half-forward, Gouldy was in and under everything and Stewart Kreuzzer and Matt Jessop were trying their hearts out to drag us back into the game. It was a long shot, but kicking with the breeze and behind by 6 goals (7.5 – 12.14) there was a glimmer of hope.
It took us 11 minutes into the last quarter to kick a goal, despite having most of the play. Leigh marking and goaling from 40 after a nice intercept and spot up from Alex Calder. Kreuzzer intercepted a lazy defensive pass a few minutes later and strolled into the open goal, the Leroy won a free in the ruck and scored after the umpire received a gobful from the Balwyn defenders and earnt themselves a 25m penalty. Any hope of an unlikely revival was snuffed out by a free and goal to Balwyn at the 22 minute mark, and the last 7 minutes played out with any further goals being scored.
Final scores: Balwyn 13.14.92 def Norwood 10.8.68 (Leroy 4, Clarke 2 Weardon 2, Gould Kreuzzer)
Balwyn were the better side for the entire first half and deserved their win. We showed some ticker in the 2nd half, but 2 quarters out of 4 isn’t gonna get it done against the top sides. Bater was a clear best afield for us with a sterling game on the last line, Gouldy and Kreuzzer were good smalls, Darin Stewarts effort going it alone in the ruck was commendable and Leroy bagged four goals from fairly limited opportunities.
A disappointing result, but not totally unexpected given the way our season has gone. Happily, the development squad had a good win, holding Balwyn to just 1 goal until 3/4T and only 3 for the game. They are still in the hunt for the double chance, and the Colts return from this week’s bye to chase the same reward.
Go Wooders.
Last Modified on 02/08/2016 14:50