Fish Creek hang on against MDU

FISH Creek managed to hang on for a hard fought three point win in the second elimination final against a fast finishing MDU on Sunday at Foster.
A couple of changes to both sides in the lead up and with Fish Creek winning the home and away season clash convincingly, the Kangaroos went in warm favorites.
MDU, however, got the jump on the scoreboard after an early free kick was paid to Michael Olden inside the first minute that gave the forward a shot on goal from 35 metres.
It was a fairly equal opening with both sides taking some time to settle.
It took 10 minutes before the next goal was on the board, this one to Fish Creek, when Joe Brooks kicked truly after a strong mark.
There was only one further goal for the opening term, the result of another free kick and 50 metre penalty paid to Fishy’s Tom Fusinato that had him kicking from close range.
At quarter time it was Fish Creek up by eight points in what was a tight tough opening with both backlines on top and none more than Fish Creek’s Trevor Hooker who was dominant at centre half back for the Kangaroos.
The second quarter was the one that broke the game open for the Kangaroos booting five goals four to the Demons two goals one.
After MDU again got the opening goal of the quarter through McMillan the Kangaroos clicked into gear and booted the next four to open a handy 27 point lead.
Fish Creek was a lot harder at the ball and its tackling was ferocious.
Fishy’s Rouda and Snooks were getting plenty of the ball at the stoppages and for the Demons, Adkins was busy.
At half time the Kangaroos were well on top with a 29 point lead.
The second half got underway with the strong bodied Rouda winning the opening clearance and sending Fish Creek forward with Smith running clear into the forward 50.
His shot, however, was off target.
MDU returned fire and after only two minutes the Demons got exactly what they needed with the opening goal of the half to McMillan who capitalized on a Fish Creek turnover coming out of defence.
A string of eight behinds followed, five to MDU and three to Fish Creek.
Neither side was able to capitalize on opportunities and finish its backline’s good work.
The Staley boys, Rhys and Gus, for Fish Creek were both going well down back along with Hooker who was still winning plenty of contests.
Manne went forward for Fishy and took a couple of strong contested marks only to have his kicking for goal let him down.
With the Kangaroos in front by 21 points just before the final change, MDU’s Adkins turned the game on its head with probably the best piece of individual play on the day when he carried the ball from half back, through the centre and kicked a beautiful running goal from about 50 metres out to reduce the margin to 15 point just before the siren.
With the final term underway, it was Fish Creek again with the clearance.
The ball found Gareth Park who slotted a beautiful running goal from 30 metres out to give his side a little bit of breathing space.
It wasn’t for long, however, after a free kick was paid down field that saw the Demons’ Swift with a shot on goal.
Fishy goaled again through Manne and at the six minute mark the margin was back at 21 points.
MDU, still full of run, was not out of the game and continued to move the ball well with its chip game working well and Fish Creek starting to tire.
A goal to McMillan, his third, gave his side hope at the 15 minute mark but a couple of missed shots hurt.
Fishy hung on with Manne taking some telling marks in defence.
The Demons goaled again thru Olden to reduce the margin to just four points and they had an opportunity to get in front when Adkins had a shot from 50 metres out.
His kick dropped short and the Fishy defence held firm with the Staley boys, Buckland, Pratt and Manne holding firm until the final siren sounded to give the Kangaroos a slender three point victory.

Star afield: Ashley Snooks was officially named the best on the ground but Jason Rouda seen here with one of his many possessions, wasn’t far behind.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Aug 25 2015. Filed under Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry