By DAVID NAGEL
Broken hearted Redbacks dead and buried
SOMETIMES footy can just break your bloody heart can’t it… which was the case with Hampton Park which conceded 12 last-quarter goals to go down to Beaconsfield by 77 points on Saturday.
This David versus Goliath clash between Beaconsfield – last year’s premiers – and Hampton Park – wooden spooners of the last three years – was expected to be an absolute whitewash at Holm Park Reserve.
But a brave second quarter, where the Redbacks conceded just two goals into the breeze, was followed by a 6.0 to 2.2 third term that locked away the scores at 68 each at the final exchange.
Could the Redbacks pull off an upset?
Look, hope was there but the reality is the Redbacks had given it their best shot and the more mature bodies of the Eagles were about to settle and run riot in the last quarter.
And run riot they did!
The Eagles first took the game away from the Redbacks before driving nail after nail into the coffin… rendering the first three quarters to nothing but a distant memory.
The wind was out, the spinnaker was set .. and the Eagles sailed to victory.
The highlight for Beaconsfield was unquestionably the form of its star-recruit Beau Dowler, who slammed home seven of the best to remind all and sundry of the danger he will present come finals time.
Dowler has sort of slipped under the radar since his debut for the club in round four, but his combination with Taylor Joyce is growing… and look out, folks… there’s more to come.
Joyce kicked four on the weekend while the talented Chris Worner kicked five in his return from injury in the reserves.
It’s hard to believe that the biggest deficiency in this side over the last few years has been the lack of a key forward.
The Eagles have them falling out of cracks in the walls at the minute, not that there are any cracks at their new facility at Holm Park Reserve just yet!
The wash-up is that the Eagles bank a crucial four points, Daniel Mislicki and the Johnston boys, Damien and Daniel, take some confidence into this week’s clash against Doveton after outstanding performances, while debutant Cooper Sheppard will be pleased to come away with a win his first game of senior footy.
And what about the Redbacks!
For three quarters they were magnificent, with the inclusion of some quality players making a world of difference.
Jack Jones, Glenn Rees, Josh Craig and Rod Blackbourn added some depth, while the debut of Declan Keilty, from the Casey Scorpions, gave the visitors a touch of class.
Keilty kicked four and was a clear best for the Redbacks, while Jackson Philpin and the Allens, Nathan and Ash, all played impressively.
The Redbacks’ first three quarters were superb, considering Luke Nunan, Kane White and Nathan Carver were all sitting on the sidelines.
The Redbacks will be keen to take it to ladder-leaders Berwick this week, while Beacy faces a tough trip to Doveton.
