A late goal by unlikely hero Jordan Angus snatched victory for the Calder Cannons against the North Ballarat Rebels by three points in wet conditions at Coburg City Oval on Sunday, as Ben Guthrie and Adem Saricaoglu report.
With only minutes left on the clock Angus contested in the ruck in his own forward line and received a free kick for a hold in the ruck contest.
He went back, took a few deep breaths and prepared for probably one of the biggest kicks in his career.
Before he could even take his kick he was summoned down to the goal square by the umpire who, after apparently receiving back chat from some of the Rebels players, paid a 50 metre penalty.
Instead of being a relatively difficult chance from a tight angle, the shot became a formality as Angus slotted the goal from the goal square to sew up the 7.8 (50) to 6.11 (47) win.
Earlier, slippery conditions provided a dogged contest when the wet weather arrived just before quarter time.
A low-scoring affair took place from quarter time, after the Cannons started in brilliant fashion, having 1.1 on the scoreboard within the first two minutes.
Calder were trapped into playing ‘dry-weather’ footy by trying to spot up targets and move the ball cleanly, whereas the Rebels took the option of driving the ball forward.
Much of the second quarter was played in the Rebels forward half as they fought desperately to keep the ball locked in their forward line.
Strong tackling and hard work at ground level kept North Ballarat in possession for most of the second quarter, but the finishing touches were absent on the scoreboard.
For all their dominance, the half time margin was only seven points.
Calder coach Martin Allison said his team changed their game plan in the second half, which paid dividends.
“We made a conscious effort after half time to, at all costs, get the ball moving forward quickly,” Allison said.
The Rebels intensity began to drop off as Calder grabbed hold of the game, conceding three straight goals as they got smacked on the rebound.
Rebels coach David Loader said not being able to convert their dominance onto the scoreboard was disappointing
“It took the momentum away from us and back to them, so in the long run it probably hurt us a fair bit,” Loader said.
“Goals are so valuable on a day like today.”
Some individual brilliance from Calder forward Daniel Markworth, in the third quarter, ultimately proved the difference in the game.
His first goal was an angled drop punt from the boundary line, falling away, with the rain bucketing down.
For his second major, Markworth gathered in one hand, dodged two players before drilling a drop punt from 50 metres out which gave Calder the lead and the momentum.
While Markworth might have been the difference on the scoreboard, it was Calder’s Lachlan Plowman who was the figurative brick wall in defence.
The bottom ager was outstanding, often providing the key spoil in a marking contest and just as effectively providing rebound from the back 50.
His 18 possessions were all class and his composure shone out during North Ballarat’s barrage in the second quarter.
Allison praised Plowman for how he won his possessions.
“They were 18 quality possessions, he won the ball back and took intercepting marks, I thought he was amazing,” he said.
In the final term a stalemate was being played out as both teams fought for the ball in the midfield.
They committed themselves to the contest, but it seemed something had to give.
North Ballarat continued to pepper the goals but not trouble the scorers, with both Coleman Schache and Rory Taggert missing big opportunities to restore the lead.
But at the 25-minute mark Taggert converted truly for the much needed go-ahead goal.
The ball was returned to the middle and Calder won the all important clearance where they surged the ball forward which resulted in a boundary throw in.
From there it was Angus who did the rest, capping a memorable victory for the Cannons.
Allison said his team showed character in the win, particularly as they only had 19 fit men to play in the last half.
“I was really proud with how they fought it out, how they dug deep and found something for extra efforts.”
Loader said it was just one of those games.
“We were probably just unlucky in those last couple of minutes, it was a little disappointing,” he said.
“You’d like to think they would just let it go when we’re in a situation like that, but the umpire saw something and paid the free kick, but look that’s footy.”
This week Calder play Queensland in the sunshine state, while North Ballarat will take on the in form Eastern Ranges in Ballarat.
Last Modified on 10/05/2011 15:17
