IN THE junior game on Saturday the two junior coaches got together and had a go at picking two even sides. They did a reasonable job with the juniors playing a relaxed game as a warm up to the grand final next week. Its finally finals season, the Semi-Final is here, and it’s complemented by some pretty finals-like weather, a damp morning followed by a sunny day and a gentle breeze.
A rematch of last weekend’s game see’s Currie versus North again to determine who will face Grassy next weekend and these two have been competitive all year and this match does not disappoint. North through a returning Justin Summers after a week off, and Hunter pushes forward first but is intercepted by Mole (Joel Williams), Currie goes forward but no one gets it close to the goals. Bailey Rainbow for North takes the first shot from well out in the flank but can’t convert. Doug Cox with a fend off in the centre, finds Tom Graham.
A couple of behinds open the game, its hungry, contested, finals play with both teams refusing to give an inch. Taylor Cook tackles Jack Worral and is rewarded with a free, while Currie and Worral pays a significant price as he is forced from the ground with a broken ankle. Taylor Cook sends it forward for North and Kodi Cook gets the opening goal. Shortly after Johnny Cross finds one for Currie from a free and 50. Graham gives away 50 and North gets a goal. Ned Hunter and Dillon Beecroft, both fleet of foot, have an agility off and its special to watch. Bailey strips Cox of the ball in the centre, while Luke Day and Mathew Laskey are having a good dual in the forward area. Currie receive another setback when they also lose Duncan Clemons to a knee injury. Currie quickly gets a shot on moments into the second quarter but cannot capitalise. Dale Ellis gets a free and a 50 and gets one for North. Mole sprints through the centre and bangs it forward which sees it bounce through for a goal.
Jye Summers kicks it up the front of Cross who turns it over for and passes to Stretton who doesn’t miss this time. Rainbow takes an intercept mark and its back Norths Way, Mole and Ellis – in a contested dual in the North forward aria is an even match up. Stretton goals for Currie and there is just seven points in it. Justin Summers snaps around the body at the Netherby end from 50 out for a goal. There’s a couple of goals in it right through, but goal for goal most of the quarter, but at the half time break the teams head into the sheds even on the score board with 47 points each. North come out firing in the third quarter with three quick goals. Jye Summers is hot out of the centre, and North lock it in their forward line.
Currie’s defence are caught out of position but North are inaccurate and only advance their quick lead by a point. Rainbow has the quarter of his life that starts with a contested mark in the North forward area and goals, before chasing down Beecroft for a free and projects it forward and finds another goal. Currie goes forward through Jarred Ludbey, to Graham, to a Laskey v Bo Reed contest, and its Reed who comes away with the ball. Justin Summers to Jeremy Summers who marks moments before the third quarter siren, he converts after the siren to solidify North’s lead by 47 points.
The fourth quarter starts, and Currie have their work cut out for them if they are going to keep their season alive, but they open promisingly with a goal. From a contested pack in the North goal square, the ball spills out the back and Baldy soccer’s it off the ground for a goal. North have no problem getting shots on in the last but they seem to have an accuracy problem, something they’ll need to look at this week if they want to complete with Grassy in the big dance. Justin Summers is back from suspension with a vengeance, it might still be winter out here but its a Summers day on field through Jeremy, Justin and Jye. Graham gets a behind, but Currie lock it forward area and get a goal. Baldy responds with a goal from a free, and then Cross gets one for Currie. It’s quiet, there’s a decent crowd here for finals footy but you could hear a pin drop – not the final half that half time promised.
Currie although look like the walking wounded, losing their bench in the first quarter, Ludbey with limp, and Mole with an injured calf passes off his free for a Currie goal and get a nice little late run, but the burst is too little too late though with North romping into the Grand Final 46 points ahead. Grand Final next week will see Grassy and North do battle again. Grassy have only lost one game this season while North’s first win for the season was this semi.
But that’s the magic of King Island Football you can win two games for the whole year and be crowned Premiers – or will the cohesion and depth of this Grassy outfit complete a stella season with a premiership cup.