by cd » Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:03 am
from club website
2006 SANFL PREMIERS
By Peter Argent
An emphatic victory ended the 2006 SANFL season in champagne style for the tough, resilient and ultimately successful Woodville West Torrens Football Club. Against their nemesis Central District, the aggressive, controlled and purposeful Eagles - with Acting Captain Justin Cicolella leading the way - dominated the entire match to win this year’s title handsomely.
As expected the game opened with the intensity and ferociousness not seen before this season. Kicking with the aid of a significant breeze, the Eagles peppered the goals early, but only behinds were registered. Then Leigh Treeby cleverly intercepted a Central District defender’s handball and ran into an open goal to secure the Eagles first major. At the 22 minute mark of the term, after an imposing first quarter personally, Justin Cicolella kicked the sides second major from the 50 metre arc. To finish off a great first term Cicolella, after a courageous mark and a helpful 25-metre penalty converted from 25 metres. Disappointingly, despite 11 shots to three, the Eagles only had a 13-point lead at the opening break.
The second term started with a goal to Cooper at the four-minute mark after a superb tackle. Then after a free kick, Mark Passador converted from a 45-degree angle to give the side their fifth goal for the match. For the remainder of the second quarter the Eagles defence stood firm, counter attacking all of the Bulldogs’ forays forward and showing a resistance and determination which suggested they had really come to play.
At the three-minute mark of the third term, after a strong pass, Mark Passador kicked truly to extend the lead beyond four goals. After a series of mistakes, including a reversal of a free kick, Hayden Skipworth found an unmarked Mark Passador. The Ken Farmer medallist kicked the ball high into the stands, giving the Eagles a 34-point advantage five and half minutes in. From a free kick in a marking contest, Dale Symmons kicked truly from the 45-metre mark, straight in front. The lead was now 41-points at the nine minute mark of the third term.
An eight-goal lead was created with a goal from Luke Powell at the 16-minute mark, after a strong snap. Adam Grocke then slotted through his first after an uncontested mark, from 45 metres out on a 45-degree angle, kicking a great goal. At the 22-minute mark, Matt Cooper increased the lead to over 10 goals after a well earned free kick followed by a 25 metre penalty. At the 27-minute mark of the term, David Westbrook took the mark of the day – climbing high over the pack 20 metres out straight in front of goal. Importantly he converted this opportunity to extend the Eagles lead to more than 11 goals. Except for a late goal to Centrals the premiership quarter was all the Eagles - where they kicked 7.5 to one solidary major by their opponents.
The Eagles had played well and were only one quarter away from the ultimate prize – the 2006 Premiership cup. At the four-minute mark of the final term Adam Grocke intercepted a handball and snapped over his shoulder from 15 metres out to give the side a 70-point lead. After three unsuccessful attempts earlier in the game, Tim Inkster finally kicked his first goal from 25 metres out on a 45-degree angle. Cicolella then kicked his third and the teams’ 15 from point plank range, after a 25-metre penalty to take the Eagles lead past 80 points. Two finishing goals to Grocke and a first for Luke Jarrad finished off a one-sided contest; the Eagles triumphant by a significant 76-points margin in the end.
Strong performances were plentiful. Justin Cicolella was fantastic, especially in the first half, Hayden Skipworth had a 32-possession game and the defensive general Mark McKenzie control the football across half back. Paul Lindsay dominated the ruck contests all game and Matthew Cooper was a superb contributor at ground level and around goal.
Zack Hier in just his fifth game of SANFL League football was tough and uncompromising in the last line of defence, while Tim Inkster (besides his kicking for goal) was a live-wire in attack. Luke Powell, Leigh Treeby and Peter Fiacchi also were important for the cause. Adam Grocke was a good target up forward in the second half and Mark Passador’s three first half goal set the trend.
Hayden Skipworth was rewarded with the 2006 Jack Oatey medal for best on ground in this premiership success.
Let the celebrations begin!
SCOREBOARD
Seniors
Eagles 3.8 5.10 12.15 17.19 (121) defeated Central District 2.1 3.1 4.1 7.3 (45)
Goal Kickers – Passador, Cicolella, Grocke 3, Cooper 2, Treeby, Symmons, Powell, Inkster, Westbrook, Jarrad 1
Best Players – Cicolella, McKenzie, Skipworth, Lindsay, Treeby, Cooper, Hier
Col D
High Flying Eagles
Premiers 1993, 2006 & 2011
(Personal Post Only)