Sport
12 September, 2022
Redbacks sweep aside Trentham for sixth consecutive grand final berth
CARISBROOK 17.14 (116) def TRENTHAM 6.6 (42) Carisbrook progressed to their sixth consecutive grand final appearance following a powerful 74-point victory against minor premiers Trentham on Sunday afternoon. The Redbacks were able to make amends for...
CARISBROOK 17.14 (116) def TRENTHAM 6.6 (42)
Carisbrook progressed to their sixth consecutive grand final appearance following a powerful 74-point victory against minor premiers Trentham on Sunday afternoon.
The Redbacks were able to make amends for their two losses to the Saints in the home and away season when it counted most, reversing the trend of their slow starts against them in the most emphatic fashion possible.
In their round one and 14 clashes against the Saints, the Redbacks had scored just two behinds between the first quarter of both their games. This time around, Carisbrook managed three goals in the opening quarter, spurred on by a best-on-ground performance by Harry Butler, who set the tone for the Redbacks from center half back with some big marks and the ability to generate good ball movement whenever the ball went into the Saints’ forward 50.
Ash Munari kicked the first goal of the game, before Anthony Zelencich kicked the first of his six goals for the afternoon. When Steven Patterson kicked the Redbacks’ third goal, it opened up an early 19-point lead. A late goal from the Saints reduced the margin to 13 points.
The second quarter was all Carisbrook. They kicked four goals for the quarter, while holding Trentham to just two behinds, to have the game almost in their keeping by the main break, leading by 39 points.
Trentham desperately needed a response to keep their season alive in the third quarter, and it looked like they would get it when they kicked the opening two goals of the third quarter. However, nothing seemed to be stopping the Redbacks, who responded with five of the next six goals to put a stop to Trentham’s dreams of a first premiership since 1994.
The Redbacks led by 53 points at three-quarter-time but continued to play the game out in the final quarter, kicking five goals to two to eventually run out 74 point winners.
The only negative for the Redbacks on the day appeared to be a knee injury to co-coach Dean Chester, yet Carisbrook showed that their team efforts inside 50 were more than able to cover his loss, with Zelencich and Munari combining for nine goals for the afternoon.
Coach Luke Treacy was proud of their efforts, but as an individual who has been there and done that in MCDFNL football, also knows there is one more significant hurdle to clear before winning their third premiership in four attempts.
“It was a good performance. We set ourselves defensively, were able to knuckle down and tune in, and the boys had to be against a really good side. We’re proud of our efforts and now we need to focus on Harcourt, who were mightily impressive yesterday,” he said.
Treacy was thrilled with the start, considering their previous history this year with the Saints.
“The start certainly set us on our way. Trentham are a young side who, when they play well early, their confidence is up and they’re really hard to stop. They’re well coached, and well-drilled. It was important to set the tone physically and win the contested ball, and the ability to spread and take our chances early was important,” he said.
“As a tight-knit group, we plan really thoroughly, and it’s something that is not going to be the difference for us. We have good respect and analysis of the opposition. The boys know we have to prepare and train well, so that none of them know they own a certain position. They know they are all defenders when they don’t have the ball. It’s a credit to the boys for their execution of the game plan today.”
Treacy paid the ultimate tribute to best-on-ground Butler, who put in a superb performance.
“We have experimented this year with our defence, having some young blokes move through there. Harry was one we ended up trying, even though he is a two-time premiership centre-half-forward. We were reluctant to make the move at the end of the year, but he was outstanding. He killed the ball when it was in the air frequently,” he said.
“Trentham have kicked 80 points against us both times in the home and away season. Defensively we weren’t good enough, with our pressure and our ability to keep the ball in the front half, exposing our defenders. Harry was outstanding in that regard, and was probably the best player on the ground.”
With the earlier game between Carisbrook and Harcourt proving to be one of the best games of the home and away season, Treacy knows the Redbacks will need to be on to win the premiership on Saturday afternoon.
“Harcourt have been unbelievable. They’ve been the team to beat for quite some time. And we have known they have been red-hot. The game we played against them earlier this season was a great game that fell our way in the last few minutes, but we knew they were fair dinkum,” he said.
“Yesterday, they were able to show why they are here — their defence kept Natte to just one scoring shot by half time, and they were able to generate plenty of their own chances. They have plenty on every line, they are well-gelled and they play for one another. Based on yesterday, they are the rightful favourites. They’re the top seed, and they are playing well at the right time.
“We pride ourselves on our work without the ball. We will need to harass Harcourt’s midfielders in order to win the ball back. They were able to show themselves how well they can pressure the best opposition sides when they don’t have the ball. They are quick and young, and we will have to be on our game in order to take the cup home on Saturday.”