Yeronga South Brisbane struggle against a full-strength Caloundra
The Devils headed up to Caloundra needing a win to strengthen their case for a finals berth. It was a beautiful winters day and the ground had been softened with the rains on Friday. We welcomed back Sully Hall, Dougal Middleton and Rowan Johnson after extended absences. Caloundra were at full strength including the former Lion, Daniel Merritt at full forward.
The first quarter began with both teams playing good running football, not giving a quarter. Both teams had a couple of goals early and the game looked like it would be a tough one. From this point though, the Caloundra players started to dominate in their attack on the ball and their teamwork and execution of skills. The Devils on the other hand started to show the early signs of pressure. Our foot and hand skills fell away quickly and the intimidating run of Caloundra was behind their 8 goal first quarter.
The Devils have come back from deficits like this in the recent past, but it has always been off the back of strong tackling and reversing the pressure. Whilst our game did lift, it was not enough to win the quarter. At the half, we went to the sheds with an 8-goal deficit. What made it difficult to turn the game was the fact that Caloundra had so many players in top form and their goals were coming from an even spread of players.
The third quarter was like the second before it and was highlighted by an attempted spoil by Merritt on our full back, Ben Cody. He was crushed under the weight of the rampaging Merritt who had to leave the ground under the blood rule. Cody got up and continued the game and can hold his head high by limiting Merritt to 4 goals, in a game where there were many forward opportunities.
The final quarter was a battle for the Devils as many players were struggling with illness and injury and Caloundra took control from the start. To the Devils credit, they fought back through the middle and later stages of the quarter to bring some respectability to the score, but the result was comprehensive to Caloundra. It highlighted the difficulty that most teams are finding when they travel in Division 1.
Yeronga South Brisbane: 2.3, 3.6, 5.9, 8.10 (58) Caloundra: 8.2, 11.6, 15.12, 22.17 (149)
Goal Kickers: G. Boyd 4, R. Yorston 2, C. Lyon, K. Juracic Best Players: R. Yorston, C. Lyon, M. Johnson, M. Fels, B. Cody, K. Juracic, D. Shewell
Next week Yeronga South Brisbane play Coorparoo on Friday night at Giffin Park, Coorparoo at 7.30pm. This game promises to be a ripper as 5th takes on 6th, maybe for that last finals position.
In other results
QFA Division 1 Reserves Yeronga South Brisbane 4.7-31 Caloundra AFC 8.14-62 Ben Freke played his 100th game for Yeronga South Brisbane.
QAFA Division 5 Yeronga South Brisbane 5.9-39 Ferny Grove 5.3-33
Bond University QWAFL Yeronga South Brisbane 14.13-97 Maroochydore 1.1-7
QWFA Division 1 Yeronga South Brisbane 10.11-71 Jindalee 1.1-7
QWFA Division 2
Yeronga/Coorparoo 2.1-13
Broadbeach 4.7-31