Sport
29 August, 2022
Redbacks’ fast start sends them into another preliminary final
NATTE BEALIBA 11.8 (74) def by CARISBROOK 13.11 (89) A fast start for Carisbrook was the key to their victory over Natte Bealiba on Saturday afternoon, which earned them a berth into the second preliminary final. Despite losing second place in the...
NATTE BEALIBA 11.8 (74) def by CARISBROOK 13.11 (89)
A fast start for Carisbrook was the key to their victory over Natte Bealiba on Saturday afternoon, which earned them a berth into the second preliminary final.
Despite losing second place in the final round of the home and away season, it was always going to be the little things that mattered for both sides going into this game, with their earlier meeting this year decided by just four points.
Indeed, it was the Redbacks who were positioning themselves better throughout the first quarter in the stoppage situation, and, as a result, were able to take the territory battle early on. The only negative for them was the fact that out of seven shots at goal, they were only able to put two goals on the board, as they led by 15 points at quarter time.
Their cause was helped when league-leading goalscorer Danny Brewster had to sit out the first 15 minutes of the second quarter, owing to a yellow card right on quarter time, and they were able to take advantage, kicking three goals to nil for the quarter. Incredibly, Natte were held goalless to half time, with just six behinds on the scoreboard, as the Redbacks took a 30-point lead.
In a thrilling third quarter, the game opened up, with the Swans looking to charge back into the game. However, despite kicking six goals, it always seemed like the Redbacks had all the answers, kicking five goals of their own to preserve a 26-point lead into the final change.
The Swans enjoyed their best quarter in the last period, kicking five goals to three, however, the damage from the first half proved to be irrepairable, as they eventually went down by 15 points.
Dean Chester proved to be the difference for the second week in succession, kicking five goals, while Harley Hunter, Harry Butler, Tim Rinaldi, Jackson Bowen and Lewis Rinaldi also played well.
For Natte Bealiba, Jayden Templeton, Trent Mortlock, Joshua Grant, Jacob Long and Callum Harte were among the best players, while Brewster led the way with three goals.
Carisbrook coach Luke Treacy was happy that his charges were able to carry out his game plan at such an important time of the year.
“I was really proud of the boys. We know the top eight, particularly with respect to the top five, are even sides. It was a tough ask given Natte beat us in round 11, they’re a really good side, but we were as prepared as we could be and the fact that we were able to halt that momentum with a fast start was fantastic,” he said.
“Our first quarter was something I was happy with. We’ve put a huge focus on our work without the ball, our defensive aspects, our pressure acts and even our positioning. We’ve been making sure we could get to make sure our mids are positioned correctly in stoppages. When you look back across the season, our first quarters have not been our strengths, and we’ve been trying a few different things, but on Saturday, they were terrific.”
Treacy also paid tribute to co-coach Chester’s performance over the last two weeks, saying that they’ve been saving him for this time of the year.
“Dean has had an outstanding career at Redan, and it was time for him to take a step back as such, but he has been a fantastic asset with his experience, knowledge and mateship with the boys. We have taken a conservative approach with him throughout the season, but we’ve started to see his best as a big-game player. This is the time of the year we need him for, and he was the most influential player on the ground yesterday,” he said.
Carisbrook now awaits the winner of the Trentham/Navarre game on Saturday, while Natte will have to back up against Lexton on Sunday at Princes Park.