Sport
15 May, 2023
Harcourt continue purr-fect start to premiership defence with thrilling win over Carisbrook
It was a game befitting of a grand final rematch. A tough, physical encounter which saw both Carisbrook and Harcourt crack in. And at the end of it all, it was the Lions who came out on top, winning by 11 points. It was a difficult struggle in...
It was a game befitting of a grand final rematch. A tough, physical encounter which saw both Carisbrook and Harcourt crack in. And at the end of it all, it was the Lions who came out on top, winning by 11 points.
It was a difficult struggle in perfect conditions at Hedges Oval in the early stages, with no goals in the first 20 minutes of the game.
But the Redbacks were able to get on the board first thanks to Ash Munari, and took a five-point lead at the first change.
Goals continued to be hard to come by in the second quarter, with the extremely physical nature of the game meaning that every disposal was hard-earned.
The Lions were able to get back on level terms by half time, with Berry Powell Medal winner Brayden Frost a big key to it, kicking a couple of goals.
Harcourt controlled the early stages of the third quarter, and were able to kick three quick goals to take control of the game, leading by as much as 21 points by the midway stages of the term.
Carisbrook were able to wrest back control of the game, with the impressive Harry Butler willing the Redbacks back into the contest, while Anthony Zelencich also lifted.
It meant that the Redbacks were just two points in arrears at the final change.
The break gave Harcourt the opportunity to reset, and were able to kick the opening three goals of the final quarter through Jed Rodda and Tom Walters’ back-to-back efforts to control the game.
While Zelencich added his fourth of the contest, it was too little, too late for the Redbacks, as the Lions repeated their grand final success in what eventuated as quite a similar game, kicking 9.13 (67) to the Redbacks’ 8.8 (56).
Cameron Anderson has had an outstanding start to the season for Harcourt, and again stood out, kicking three goals to take his tally to 16 from five games, while Edward Coulthard was a big key in defence. Frost, Darby Semmens, Jeffrey McMurtrie and Walters were also key contributors.
For Carisbrook, Butler was key to keeping the Redbacks in the game, kicking three goals and taking many spectacular marks, while Malcom Niblett, Zelencich, Cohen Leech and Dillan Treacy were also good. Jackson Bowen had a fantastic battle with Frost, and he too was named in the best.
Harcourt coach Dan Wridgway was happy to get the win, but stressed it was another step forward for the Lions.
“It was a fantastic win. Carisbrook are a quality outfit, as they have been for many years. We were looking forward to the challenge at the start of the year. We had a few key match-ups that we focused on, and those players did their jobs really well,” he said.
“At the moment, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. Last year, we lost three games, but were still able to win the premiership. It’s good to bank these wins, but it’s a long season.”
A feature of Harcourt’s game is their ability to lock the ball inside their forward half when they are able to win possession of the ball, which came to the fore when push came to shove on Saturday.
Wridgway said it’s a brand of football he’s been keen to implement since he took charge at the Lions, and he was thrilled that they were able to execute the game plan on Saturday.
“We work so hard to get those opportunities, and our midfielders are determined to make sure it doesn’t come out over their heads. Once we do get it in there and lock the ball in, it also gives us an opportunity to set up behind the ball and are prepared for it to come back out,” he said.
“But it’s great that everyone has brought in to the pressure and the defensive structure. I pride our game on the pressure that we put on as a team. It’s important that we keep it up in every game and always bring the heat, knowing what to do at certain times in the game.
“We have built a culture of belief that we’re never out of a game, and we know that if we stick to our systems and structures that we have in place, even if the other team scores and gets a run, we keep our head and believe in what we do. Our players have all bought into that idea.”
Wridgway has been impressed by Anderson’s start to the season, with the midfielder continuing to work hard to elevate his game.
“Cameron Anderson’s work on the track is unbelievable, and second-to-none. He’s still very young, but he is dedicated to his craft. He always wants to improve. Last year, he was third in the league best and fairest count, and warranted more attention, but his fitness is unbelievable and he has focused on his decision-making under pressure this year, which adds another string to his bow. He’s also added some size, which is great,” he said.
Harcourt takes on Trentham next week — an encounter which saw the Lions win two hard-fought matches in season 2022, including their qualifying final match-up, by just five points.
Wridgway said the Saints will be a tough assignment, particularly given their moves to strengthen their lineup over the off-season.
“With Trentham, they are a quality team who have recruited well over the summer. But I think we do match up well. There were two games decided by under a goal last season, so we look forward to a good battle with them on Saturday,” he said.
“When we looked at the draw, we knew there would be a block of five or six games that would be really tough to see where we were at. The last few weeks have been about recovery and getting our hands on the ball.”