It wasn’t to be for Poowong

By Geoff Wyatt

TRAVELLED to Lang Lang for the Elimination Final in the Seniors, the ground was good with a breeze from the Pakenham end pocket to the opposite pocket at the highway End. Poowong regained Kurt Newton but were still without Mitch van’t Hof, Micah Williames, Mitch Molloy and Damon Hansen while Neerim South were without Chris Urie and Ben Fitzpatrick.

Poowong Seniors did a great job reaching the finals after losing half of last year’s senior side and it was a very young side lacking in height. Rod Gundrill the new coach together with Reece Attenborough did a great job in their planning each week. Poowong had their best side available on the paddock and were very positive going into the game. Winning the toss Poowong kicked to the highway end and for the first ten minutes play was in their forward half. A couple of missed marks with Neerim’s defence cutting off their way to the goals. Neerim went forward and added a point and a goal, when Poowong went, they managed to find the boundary line in the right pocket to where the wind was blowing. Neerim took the ball from defence late in the quarter adding two goals four to go in at quarter time leading 3.5.23 to Poowong 0.0.0

The second quarter started with Neerim South going forward, Poowong defence was under pressure but Neerim’s kicking was astray adding a goal, two points and two out of bounds. Poowong took the ball down the Club Room wing and across to Steve McInnes for Poowong’s first. From the bounce they had a couple of more chances but only managed a point. Neerim took the ball forward they added three late goals to one off the ground, a pickup on the run and a snap to give Neerim a forty-five-point lead at the big break. Neerim South 7.10.52 to Poowong 1.1.7

Neerim South were cleaner with their ball handling and their delivery into the forward line was always having Poowong’s defence under pressure. 

Poowong would need a big third quarter to get back into the game. They started well taking the ball forward for an out of bounds, then a long goal to Mitch DeKleuver. Neerim lifted their intensity and added four goals two from good leads and marks. Poowong came back with two late goals, one from Alex Henshall and the other from Will Robertson. To go in a three-quarter time 11.14 80 to Poowong 4.1.25

Poowong were determined to not let Neerim runaway with a big last quarter, Neerim added three goals, four to Poowong one goal, two, a good goal from Mitch Whiting.

Final score Neerim South 14.18. 102 to Poowong 5.3.33 a sixty-nine-point win.

Not the result we were looking for but Neerim’s ability to move the ball cleanly will take them deep into the finals. Poowong boys were disappointed with their game, but I had the feeling that most players will be about for 2024 and with a bit more height and with the injured players back they could enjoy Finals Footy in 2024. Neerim South’s best Isaac Fuller seven goals and Kody Wilson.

Poowong’s best Steve McInnes, Jack Hazendonk, Charlie Koscal, Connor Cunningham Mitch Whiting and Joel Norton.

Best and Fairest Awards Seniors Jack Hazendonk (his fifth) from Steve McInnes, Reserves Dan McDonald from Tyran Lord. Netball A Grade Grace Green from Mia Blackwood. B Grade Izabelle Grabham-Andrews from Bonnie Hendrink, C Grade Eliza Cozzio from Tamara Loughridge.

Special thanks to all the players, officials, canteen staff and trainers with special thanks to the committee led by Ted Attenborough.

See you at Poowong next season, a good club to be involved with.