A RECENT study released in the Netherlands confirms what many other countries have already determined – a horse without peers is unhappy and experiences a lot of stress.

Yet thousands of horses are alone in paddocks. This has long been banned in other countries.

However, well-known King Island horsewoman Kelly Lancaster says in her experience her horses never showed stress when alone.

“They have buddied up quite well with the bulls when sharing a paddock with them,” she said.

“Some people can’t afford more than one horse.”

The study notes that a horse alone in a paddock will immediately go to a fence or gate when a passer-by stops. Horses are social animals and live naturally in herds. In fact, horses that are not surrounded by other horses often feel unhappy and suffer from severe stress according to various studies.
“Lonely horses often show deviant, ‘disturbed’ behaviour such as aggression or compulsions such as head wagging, constant pacing along the fence or frequent neighing. A horse that stands alone suffers.a serious harm to welfare,” says Dutch animal scientist Sarah Pesie from Dier & Recht, an independent foundation consisting of lawyers, veterinarians and policy officers.

Horse behavioural expert Margriet Markerink observed stabled and lone horses and those within a herd or within sniffing distance of other horses and found that with the latter, the horses had a completely different appearance, were in a resting position and were completely relaxed.

“Horses in herds allocate tasks such as one keeping guard while others sleep and social behaviours, loafing (mutual grooming) playing and bonding.
A lone horse needs to do all the ‘living’ tasks by themselves.”

The Netherlands Animal Protection and Dier & Recht following this recent and other research is taking a tougher stance and urging that putting a horse alone in a pasture, without any possibility of ‘sniffing contact, should be prohibited.’

This is already common practice in other countries.

It is part of animal welfare legislation in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland where horses must be able to have contact with peers.
Australia does not have a hardline or legislation regarding lone horses.
The RSPCA Australia has guidelines and good practice and education awareness regarding horse management and herd behaviour-needs.
However lone horses being kept in a paddock is not specifically defined in legislation as animal cruelty or abuse.

The RSPCA guidelines can be found at.rspca.org.au.

THERE was only a smattering of clouds in an otherwise soft pastel sky, a gentle westerly breeze that would not provide much favour at last Saturdays footy.

Rainbow, Ellis and Fanning topped up Currie and no Noseda for Grassy.
Graham and Wardlaw encountered the first contested ball just outside the centre with no clear winner. Dylan Keeley laid a nice tackle on statuesque Worrall for the free and got another possession shortly after and made his mark on the game early. Grassy is the first to score. Blomfield soccered the ball off the ground and won a foot race to send it down Grassy way. Currie’s defence looked steady and organised early but came under plenty of pressure and Grassy got another goal from their fourth forward entry.

Doherty to Laskey and Currie almost went forward before they found Wardlaw waiting underneath a high ball who took it cleanly and sent it back forward for Grassy into Tyler Rhodes, who lined up for a big set shot he has been tasked with this year but came out with a minor score. Currie’s forward looked far less organised than their back and after several opportunities were left wanting.

North stand in, Bailey Rainbow, is the first to find a goal for Currie from a nice mark. It was a good hard contest for the first quarter, Grassy was able to capitalise where it mattered and went into the quarter time break with an 11-point lead.

Forrest announced himself at the start of the second quarter winning the contest on the wing to centre it in the goal square where Tyler Rhodes couldn’t take the mark cleanly and it dropped into contest. It was a Tyler duo in Hudson and Rhodes in the Grassy forward, but they struggled to convert into anything meaningful early on. Reeves took a sweeping intercept mark in front of Graham. The sun ducked behind a cloud so it cooled, but still no threat of rain. Hudson received from a throw-in and kicked it, check side which sailed through the centre, Grassy threatened to make a field day out of this. Tristan Forrest was held by Tyler Smith and received a free on the wing which he tried to centre to J Taylor but was inaccurate, contest ensued, and there was a ferocity in that contest which hinted to the simmering tension of finals not too far away.

Peter Cole took the ball from a canteen wing contest and ran towards goal and under the encouragement of Hudson continued for the running shot and executed with accuracy. Currie have so far had only been able to find a lone goal and so far in this quarter had not looked like threatening the other.

Forrest took a quick shot at goal but found the post. The ball found its way into the Currie forward and out of a scrappy contest they located their second goal of the match. On their second attempt forward in as many minutes, Constable was waiting at full back, took the mark and sent it out for Grassy.

But Currie looked more threatening in the second half of this quarter, tidied up some play at the expense of their backline though who were caught out of position, when Dylan Keeley intercepted a kick-in and got an easy one into Tyler Rhodes for a walk-up goal. Dylan Keeley fancied himself down the wing, ran to centre and kicked a behind.

Brady Rhodes, in his 100th game took a nice mark with the sun in his eyes right before half-time siren sounded.

The second half started under a grey cloud but stayed dry. Grassy opened with a long shot and was off target for a behind. Rainbow took a kick in for Currie, played on with a long centring kick to Tyler Smith, who collided with Brady Rhodes, the ball popped over to Bellchambers forward. Laskey went into Ellis, over his head and Reeves for Grassy mopped up but straight back into Laskey who had a shot for goal. The kick was short to a waiting Tom Graham in the goal square who kicked on a sharp angle, straight through goal for Currie to open the second half.

Laskey and Blomfield went up in the ruck, Jackson Taylor took it off the centre with Doug Cox hanging on. Tyler Smith played an electric game for Currie, full of spirit. He got it out of the Grassy backline to Laskey forward where it was marked and goal to Bellchambers. Currie’s defence rallied in the second half and looked slick. Currie went forward and scored another on the run. Currie went forward again and Wardlaw rushed through a behind for Currie. Wardlaw and Graham had an intense physical battle and Graham got the better of this one but converted to a behind. Currie locked it in their forward this quarter.

The pressure around Grassy kick in’s lifted but they continued to get point after point. I wonder what was in Mole’s Motivational words at half time because they must have struck a chord, Currie came out at the long break a new side. Jackawenko had a shot for another behind. Grassy took it forward and goaled with little fuss. Bellchambers took a quick kick from the hand off from Ellis, banged at through for a goal The score line narrowed to just 10 points. It was back in Currie’s forward and Mole ran into an open goal, he didn’t muck around, had a fresh haircut and it said I mean business. Brad Mead marked into Tyler Hudson, but it came back out of Grassy’s forward, Graham into Jakowenko’s mark and Bellchambers ran in the forward but Wardlaw steadied and marked in the back.

Contest contest contest. Jakowenko, alone on the wing, put it forward to a Wardlaw versus Bellchambers contest until it dribbled over the boundary throw in, Freshly tanned Doug sprints from a pack for a goal all the sudden, after a flurry of Currie goals in the third , Currie found themselves in front, and they went forward again. Rainbow leap frogged over Frosi to take possession, Williams versus Reeves in a spicy contest. Currie had a fresh sense of urgency. Mole centred to Graham who used his physicality to fend off Wardlaw and took the mark and played on for the sure goal.

At the last break Currie went in 8 points up. The term started with a fierce contest in the middle, Bellchambers and Brady Rhodes looked like they might make out for a moment but they don’t, it was simply heated. Several players are immediately in the Currie forward. J Taylor and Wardlaw linked up for a nice piece of play which didn’t get far, as the ball remained in Currie’s forward. When Grassy went forward, Dylan Keeley marked, popped it over the top to Sam Reeves who finished the job, a goal for Grassy. Currie felt feisty and lost discipline for it. A free went to Tyler Hudson who popped it across to Peter Cole. He got it forward, Smith versus Rhodes. Smith had a lovely smother of the Rhodes kick, and he was fired up. Tyler Rhodes made the most of his chances and kicked a goal, to even the score. Tyler Hudson then received a free, kicked it into the post. The pressure was fierce in this last quarter, both teams hungry for a win. A menacing dark cloud formed over the oval. Currie tried to take it out of Grassy’s forward, Forrest wasn’t having it though and spoiled with a fist and it goes over the boundary. Jackson Taylor ran up the pocket, got a kick off, seconds before he was mauled by Youd, but was rewarded with the goal.

The crowd was involved. The pressure was high. The shadowy cloud continued in what was easily one of the best finishes we’ve seen this year. The last quarter is a blur of bodies, contests, ball ups, pressure, second efforts. And Jackson Taylor gets his second goal in as many minutes which you think will seal the win for Grassy The first few specks of rain fell as Jakawenko kicked from the pocket and clipped the post for a behind. Rhodes also pressure tested the point post moments later at the other end, in the dying moments of the game.

Grassy got away with this one with a 13-point win. The contest between all three teams coming into the business end of the season is fierce, in tight, convincing an onlooker it could be any team that stands up in August to take the 2023 flag and it will be an exciting run into the final this year.

WAR HEROES REMEMBERED THE wind dropped and the rain held off on Tuesday morning at the King Island Cemetery.
The Australian, King Island Council, RAAF and RSL flags were at half-mast and signaled respect at the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the crash of Beaufort Bomber A9-352 on 11 July 1943 that claimed the lives of the four crew members.

The ceremony also remembered three Islanders who died while serving in the RAAF during World War Two. The RAAF did a fly pass over the cemetery and as a mark of respect over the crash site.

King Island RSL subbranch president Tom Shaw welcomed the descendants of the four Pilot Officers – Leigh Edwards, Jeff Kildea, Michael Snell, Harold Jones and Bronwyn Anderson and family members and from King Island, the Lancaster family.

Acting Mayor Vernon Philbey represented the King Island Council and the Chief Executive Officer, RSL Tasmania, John Hardy and staff members and RSL Director North West Tasmania, John Findlater attended.

Wing Commander Andrew Johnson, Commanding Officer 29 (City of Hobart Squadron) Tasmania, and Warrant Officer Stephen Zantuck, Squadron Leader Robert Hayman – Chaplain, 30 Squadron RAAF Base East Sale, Squadron Leader Scott Tavasci, 32 Squadron RAAF Base East Sale and flight crews represented the Royal Australian Airforce.

Leigh Edwards, Jeff Kildea, and Michael Snell spoke about their relatives who died on 11 July 1943.The Leesue family from South Australia were unable to attend, and their tribute to Pilot Officer Leesue was delivered by subbranch Vice President Gary Barker.

In his address Mr Barker said: “We are gathered at the graves of four airmen who perished when their Beaufort Bomber A9 – 352 crashed approximately three kilometres, east north east of the King Island Aerodrome. The date was Sunday 11 July 1943 and the time around 2am.

“The plane was taking part in a formation training exercise from East Sale in Victoria with two other Beauforts over Bass Strait and then to King Island. Why or how the crash occurred is unknown, and the RAAF classified the reason as 100% obscure.

“East Sale responded rapidly and on Monday 12 July 1943 a contingent arrived, including Chaplain Victor Deakin and officers who became the pall bearers … it is remarkable that the father of Pilot Officer Kildea was able to attend the funeral on Tuesday 13 July.

“The iland lost 17 people during World War Two and today we also remember three who died while serving in the RAAF.

“They were Sergeant William Desmond Cheese better known as ‘Buff’ who died on the 20th of July 1942, while a Prisoner of War in the Netherlands after his plane from 460 Squadron was shot down; Flying Officer John Goulburn Lancaster, known as Jack, who died on the 8th of April 1943 when his plane crashed in the Gulf of Carpentaria; Aircraftwoman Nancy Jean Morrison, died on the 21st of November 1945 on the mainland as the result of an illness following her care of returned service personnel.

Sarah Lancaster, whose family has been on the island for over 100 years, honoured Buff Cheese, her grandfather Colin’s cousin and Jack, his eldest brother, by reading Colin’s words, taken from an interview conducted by Gary Barker prior to her grandfather’s passing.

Mr Shaw spoke about Nancy Jean Morrison at the family’s request. Barbara Morrison is Tom’s stepmother. Nancy was born in Currie, daughter of Ernest and Margaret Morrison and served in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force at Number 3 RAAF Hospital in NSW.

Kelly and Sarah Lancaster sang Abide with Me and this was followed by wreath laying on the graves by the families, organisations and the RAAF.
From 1943 until the late 1990s King Island District High School students placed a posy of flowers on each grave, every 11 July. KIDHS students Roger and Zac Clemons and Madge and Logan Shaw laid flowers, accompanied by Sarah Lancaster and Chase Osbourne.

King Island TV live streamed the event. To view go to the King Island TV Facebook page and click the link or go to YouTube and in search box King Island TV.

Time to foster northern friends MAYOR Marcus Blackie is on leave in Queensland. However, he was able to make time for one official visit while enjoying his break and the northern climate.

Mayor Blackie writes:
“It is in King Island’s best interests to forge working relationships with some big best-practice councils around Australia.

“While in Queensland I was graciously hosted by the Sunshine Coast Council, namely by my old friend Cr Ted Hungerford.

“As Mayor of King Island there are a couple of best-practice councils that I want to forge personal and working relationships with to benefit our small country council and the Sunshine Coast Council is top of my list.

“In particular, and if opportunity permits, I would like some of our staff to benefit from professional development with them during my term.

“The Sunshine Coast Council is enormous, the third largest in Queensland, they just passed their first billion-dollar council budget for FY23-24 and recently opened their impressive new bespoke designed state-of-the-art $100m City Hall in the newly reclaimed Maroochydore CBD.

“Although externally looking like something out of Gotham City, it is when you tour the inside of the building you quickly understand the futuristic touches that make it totally unique, a place where staff want to work and the public are drawn to visit.

“SCC City Hall and the new CBD also boast an underground waste disposal system, the first of its kind in Australia. Over the past 50 years so many brilliant pioneering development ideas were thought of and done first on the Sunshine Coast, then widely copied all across Australia, imitation being the sincerest form of flattery.

“There is much we can learn from them and even a few things they can learn from us, so I am hopeful we will work more together in the future. Nicest of all was the genuine interest and enthusiasm they reciprocated about King Island; our reputation is certainly riding high in Queensland.”

CONOCOPHILLIPS Australia is on the island today and is conducting further engagement sessions and community consultation for the ConocoPhillips Australia Otway Exploration Drilling Program.

The purpose of the meetings is to provide an update, inform and address previous concerns and answer questions about their proposed drilling program and the proposed drilling activity.

Today’s sessions will be held at the King Island Town Hall 11-1pm and tonight 6-8pm.

ConocoPhillips have been working just offshore from King Island for a number of years. In 2021 the company acquired the Sequoia Seismic survey. After processing that data, they propose to undertake exploration drilling for gas to the west and north of King Island.

This is the company’s fourth consultation visit to the island and today’s meetings offer both one-on-one meetings and Town Hall group forum.
The company has an obligation to drill at least one exploration well in the permit off the west coast and in the permit to the north of the island, off the Victorian coast.

The company is required to submit an Environmental Plan to the regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).

Senior Drilling Engineer ConocoPhillips Matt Smith who is part of the team visiting the island told King Island Radio: “We’re currently asking for five years’ worth of [drilling program] permission.

“That doesn’t mean five years’ worth of activity. It just means that we have a window of five years to complete the minimum works that we need to complete.

“We’re still a long way away from getting our environmental approvals. Probably another six, maybe even 12 months away. Underpinning [NOPSEMA] approval has to be responsible environmental management.

“The whole purpose, of our previous trip for the drilling activity was to come and hear people’s concerns directly from the community … we heard loud and clear, the commercial fishing implications, particularly for rock lobster fishers, and that extended to kelp farmers as well.”

Mr Smith said the company has been assessing the information heard so far and have had ongoing discussions with locals to work out ways to work together.

Mr Smith said that another concern raised was associated with unexploded ordinance and management of any risks from possible discoveries of munitions dumps and the company is working with the Department of Defence and islanders to address any risks.

Additional planning and management measures are around interactions with marine fauna and with sensitive whale species such as the Southern Right and Blue Whales.

“One overriding matter raised across all the previous consultations was people questioning the benefit to King Island and what could they be opening themselves up for with these drilling activities.

“We had some robust discussions. We have taken these questions away and assessed, and we will communicate a bit more about these in the next [today’s] sessions.

“… respect is central to what we’re trying to achieve here, which includes coming out and giving people the opportunity to have their say and make sure their voice is heard.

“I’ve been working on this environment plan for probably a year or more, and we’ve done trips to King Island. We’ve done trips across the Victorian coastline.

“I’m just so impressed by the amount of knowledge, the time people have given us and the information about environmental sensitivities, that really allow me as an environmental practitioner to go away and do a much better job in my impact assessment because I’m learning things from people in the community that I just can’t learn from a textbook or sitting on Google for hours or whatever it is.

“Listening to the community improves the predictive accuracy of our impact assessments and really gives understanding how the community is affected.
“The purpose of this visit is to come back and show the community that we’ve listened. We need to present our view on the various issues that we’ve heard and in particular share what we’re doing to manage those things,” Mr Smith said.

ConocoPhillips is seeking to identify and consult with relevant persons whose functions, interests or activities may be affected by the proposed Otway Exploration Drilling Program.

Consultation will continue after the EP submission has been made to NOPSEMA.

To find out more, stop by one of the King Island information sessions on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
For more details: https://bit.ly/3MK5PAP

ARGUMENTS continue over whether Grassy Port is an all-weather safe harbour.
TasPorts and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson claim that it is, while independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest maintains that the Grassy Port is not an all-weather safe harbour.

Ms Forrest’s opinion is supported and evidenced by King Island shippers, ship owners, shipping group members, and the wider community.

Ms Forrest was also chair of the King Island Shipping Inquiry held in 2017.

In March Ms Forrest asked the Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, if the Government would construct or develop an all-weather safe harbour at Grassy, and to consider using the overburden from the Group 6 Metals mine when it becomes available as it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Mr Ferguson said that neither was there a demonstrated need to develop a master plan for Grassy Harbour; that Grassy already has additional capacity beyond its current freight task and that TasPorts would only review its position on the need for an additional safe harbour if demand were to significantly increase.

Ms Forrest asked Mr Ferguson at the end of June if he stood by his March comments.

“There has been documented evidence of both the Bass Island Line vessel, the John Duigan, and vessels owned by Eastern Shipping Lines, being denied access to the Grassy Port or they have had to inform their customers on King Island who had stock awaiting transport at the port that had to be returned to farms to ‘try again tomorrow’ on account of weather conditions,” she said.
“On what basis does TasPorts make the claim that the current Grassy Harbour is an all-weather safe harbour?”

Mr Ferguson said that TasPorts advises that vessels have not been denied access to the Port of Grassy, that there have been delays due to “…environment and weather-related safe port parameters… which can restrict the times at which a vessel can berth and safely stay alongside- these include daylight hours of operation, tide, wind, and surge…”

“TasPorts advises that the Port is fit for purpose, there is no demonstratable need for either a new berth or harbour and there is no indication that other or larger shipping lines have a desire to call into the Port of Grassy,” Mr Ferguson said.

Cruise ships do include King Island in their itineraries.

The passengers from ships which have visited King Island cannot berth and are currently transferred by zodiac.

Mr Ferguson cautioned in his response and said that any investment in infrastructure would need to be supported by port charges as TasPorts is required to operate as a commercial business.

“Port charges would be levied on shipping companies and passed on to users of these services, including livestock producers, so care is clearly required.”

The Tasmanian Economic Regulator is currently conducting an Inquiry into TasPorts/Bass Island Line King Island customer costing and pricing structures with the report due in August.

Mr Ferguson recognised that G6M will have overburden but did not indicate that TasPorts would capitalise on the opportunity to utilise the overburden to develop the Grassy Port into a safe all-weather harbour.

“I found this response just as disappointing as the previous responses related to the need to work together with a future focussed approach to ensuring King Island has an all-weather port that also can provide a safe harbour in all conditions,” Ms Forrest said.

“I have seen written evidence that this is not the case with ships being denied access or having to anchor offshore for hours or longer to access the port due to weather (including the swell) conditions that may delay ships entering or leaving the port.

“I do actually wonder who prepares these responses and whether they even communicate with the local people, and shipping companies who service King Island,” she said.

“The most disappointing aspect is the refusal to accept the reality that King Islanders experience delays in getting important supplies, having to transport the same cattle to and then back from the port when the owners expect them to be shipped.

“This creates significant cost and has a negative impact on the stock wellbeing and condition.

“If TasPorts and the Government were willing to be future focussed, look at opportunities to create an all-weather safe harbour and use the overburden from G6M mine in Grassy this would not only future proof the island’s shipping needs but also open up a range of other options for King Island,” Ms Forrest said.

ONLY so many ways you can say that it’s some standard King Island Winter weather, but the strong winds may have given the Netherby Road end some favour, albeit in unpredictable gusts.

North welcomed Andy Summers, to enjoy the electrifying standards and pristine turf of KIFA I assume … and the chance to play with his nephews Dale Ellis, Justin and Jye Summers. Grassy was with an almost full squad and minus their primary coach, who is overseas on an Italian jaunt during the treacherous depth of the King Island season.

Andy Summer’s first kick got a body shot on Peter Cole, but he retrieved his own ball and ran into goal for the first score of the match.

The Grassy backline in Aaron Wardlaw, Peter Cole, Jack Noseda and Sam Reeve were under pressure early with the breeze heavily favouring North.

Justin Summers had a couple of shots on from long way out on the wing for a couple of behinds. Vellekoop scored another behind for North, while the wind which had been maybe in their favour did not help accuracy with the washing machine winds.

Keenan Fanning got a pointerino. Jackson Taylor smoothered the ball from Hamish Johnson before he and brother Rory combined for Grassy to go forward for the first time, to Tyler Hudson and into a waiting North defender.

Reeves and Wardlaw both went up in a contest and both ended up on the ground leaving Andy Summers who ran into an open goal.

The atrocious weather induced some sloppy play, accuracy all but impossible, slippery ball and swaying goal posts, a slog of a game, but you wouldn’t guess it seeing the intent and effort from both sides.

Keenan intercepted a Wardlaw kick in and handed it off to Vellekoop who kicked another for North, moments before the first break. A start, as strong as the breeze for North holding Grassy to a scoreless quarter for the first time this season.

Tristan Forrest did plenty of rovering work in the centre, but was only rewarded with a minor score.

Forrest got a free, into Tyler Rhodes who took a punt on Grassy’s first goal, while Jye Summers on the mark wore double jumpers for extra warmth.

Rhodes capitalised on the breeze and got the goal and was rewarded with a rest on the bench. Wardlaw sprinted out of defence, up the canteen-side wing and pummelled it forward to be met by Bailey Rainbow, before the ball bounced out for a throw-in.

Sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the ground, blessing us with a break in the rain, and a couple of forward opportunities for Grassy now kicking with the breeze but still struggled to alchemies it on to the score board.

Riley Badenoch did some tidy sweeping work across the line of defence for North, while the contests were all in the Grassy forward line towards the second half of this quarter, all low to the ground, fumbling, skidding, time in contention.

Dale Ellis to Taylor Cook who took a nice wet weather mark with the flight of the ball, alas, he utilised it by kicking it out on the full – I’m sure the wind caught it.

The sky darkened quickly at 3.11pm, suddenly it’s a twilight game and the skies were about to open. As the wind and rain began to pound down, Grassy located a goal and mercifully the siren for half time sounded to see North up by seven points.

The rain completely stopped during the half-time break, but moments before the first bounce of the second quarter it returned with a vengeance, and even indulged us with a small sprinkle of hail.

Grassy went forward first, of course I can’t tell you who or what happened because the torrent of precipitation made it impossible to identify anyone. But I can tell you David Vellekoop then got a goal for North and then Andy Summers a behind – kicking in the direction of the squall.

Play continued and just as the rain took a break, Justin Summers booted a goal for North. Vellekoop goaled for North, a slippery ball, plenty of fresh air kicks, Wardlaw was good under pressure but was under relentless attack.
Grassy’s Junior contingent had a smart game, a helmet in most contests, going hard in and under at the ball and their own veteran Arnold Stellmaker played his part too.

Grassy did not play anywhere near their form guide suggested they should, and perhaps the weather did not agree with their usual clean, quick playing style, however, they have weathered the storm before, but were looking at a 37-point deficit at three quarter time.

Final Quarter rain momentarily eased again but a hodge podge of cold, wind and rain summarised the day.

Cook took a clean mark in defence, handed off to Andy. Grassy with the wind in the final quarter kept the ball fairly consistently close to goal without capitalising until Tristan Forrest found one from the far wing.

The ball was immediately taken forward again for Grassy. Rhodes got a shot from almost the same spot Tristan had, a slightly sharper angle and it gets punched on the behind line, another point followed soon after.

The sun, now barely obstructed, casts a bright yellow haze over the field, and caused players to shield their eyes. This was only fleeting as it is backdropped by a threatening thick gray sky.

Rhodes received a 50m penalty and slotted a sure thing. A little bit of argy bargy in the final kept things a little fiesty. Jackson Taylor was on the receiving end of a 50m penalty and sprayed it for another behind.

Grassy threatened in the last quarter and quickly narrowed the gap. Wardlaw wandered forward, kicked a goal on the run. North got it down to their end against the weather with only a minor growing Grassy’s hope.

Intensity increased around the ball, with little happening elsewhere on the ground. Cook again took a clean unmanned defensive mark and kicked to Ellis who couldn’t keep his feet. The ball was contested again and the umpire balled it up.

The canteen wing saw plenty of the play during the last quarter and it was in slip-and-slide condition, a muddle of fresh air kicks, sliding, piles of bodies, and kicks the players couldn’t control.

Wardlaw kicked off the ground, but Summers chased and saw it over for a behind. Noseda shortly after found the goal. As the ball was being run back to centre there was some brouhaha between the boundary and centre umpires … the storm caused a power outage in town which silenced the siren and the end came silently with flailing arms signaling.