Dogs dogged down as I-K swoop in for the points - Seniors

Arriving at the ground it was mentioned – “Perfect conditions – no excuses today”.

Old sayings hold up.

After a solemn and moving Anzac Day service it was soon evident that of the two evenly matched teams jostling for position in the top half of the ladder, one came to battle way better prepared.

For simplicity let’s call the teams PI & I-K.

The opening quarter saw I-K out of the gate early with a quick goal.

After that came nearly 10 minutes of arm wrestle between the respective half forward lines with plenty of arm wrestling and stare downs but no scoring.

The trend was broken by a nice fast break by I-K which gave them their second major, followed by another fast break for their third, 15 minutes in.

At 17 minutes I-K’s Mahoney was on the end of another good passage and goaled to give the visitors their fourth for a 21-point advantage.

Kai McKenzie was finding it and had a chance to goal late, but missed and the Island went to the first break in arrears 26-1.

I-K continued where they left off and, in the second quarter commenced with a couple of opportunities but thankfully for the Dogs were off target.

PI lifted the work rate and applied plenty of pressure and effort but just could not score.

Bill Taylor missed a set shot and immediately marked strongly for another shot but again, a minor.

Captain Jack then sent a sizzler to Cam Pedersen who converted for PI’s first goal, 10 minutes into the second term.

Unfortunately, a costly turnover undid the effort and resulted in an I-K immediate reply.

Our opponents maintained the pressure while our boys coughed up the plum too often.

Half time and I-K convincing leaders 8.5 to 1.5.

Second half starts promisingly as Pedersen finds Pappas who converts from a sharp angle.

8.5 – 2.5 but while the Island were upping their work rate, I-K withstood the challenge and were able to match the scoring.

Max Blake and Coby Olarenshaw were lifting up forward, and Kimber to the midfield added a bit of punch but I-K’s commitment was making scoring difficult.

Two goals each saw I-K head for the last change 39 points ahead.

It was going to take an effort.

A Cam Brown goal at the five-minute mark of the last gave a glimmer of hope.

A mid-term surge with goals late showed endeavour without ever really challenging but I-K struck back late in the final term to run out convincing and deserving 36-point winners, 13.10.88 to 7.10. 52.

With a side that wins a lot, it’s easy to throw a bucket of talcum powder in the air and let a little land on everyone.

Losses are more difficult than that but let’s not shirk it and here goes.

It’s early in the season and lessons are learned.

These two teams are very evenly matched, but one came better prepared.

A birdie tells me our opponents trained for this match with specific intent, to share the ball around, far and wide to whoever was free rather than kick it to contests whenever possible.

The birdie even reveals this may have involved a white jacket to simulate Island player’s they wanted to steer clear of but still not disrupt the system.

Results suggest their pre-planning worked and while I-K shared the ball around to anyone in a better position, we bombed it long and performed countless ‘U’ turns into trouble rather than share the ball.

You’ll get away with this against some lower teams but not a side as good as our Saturday opponents.

Luckily finals and flags are not won in Round two, but warning signs are worth noting.

Scores:
Phillip Island: -1, 1.5.11, 3.9.27, 7.10.52
Inverloch-Kongwak: 4.2.26, 8.5.53, 10.6.66, 13.10.88

Goals:
Phillip Island: Cameron Brown 3, Max Blake, Cam Perdersen, Max Walton, Travis Woodfield, 1.
Inverloch-Kongwak: Toby Mahoney 5, William Turner 3, Tate Short 2.

Best Players:
Phillip Island: Mark Griffin, Jack Taylor, Bryce Hindhaugh, Daniel Bourke, Cam Pedersen, Brendan Kimber.
Inverloch-Kongwak: Tom Hams, Toby Mahoney, Tate Short, Andrew Soumilas, Taite Cumming, Nicholas Baltas.