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Working for our community.Sports Coverage
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OD
Get Up In
A Thriller
17.5.07
The two top teams from the first couple of rounds matched up to fight for bragging rights as the best team in the competition. Olympic Dam had been super impressive, giving last yearís grand finalist Roxby Districts a football lesson two weeks ago, while Andamooka had been just as good putting in a great team display to knock off Hornridge and Coober Pedy.
The scene was set for a great game and it did not disappoint.
Bodies flew in the first five minutes with Andamooka more than matching their rivals in the strength and skills stakes. Cheyne Johnston, Michael Uhlik and Luke Sanders were getting their hands on the ball early pumping the ball into the forward line to the dangerous Williams.
Despite this, Chapman, Saraceno and Green started to work together with Lalham up forward giving OD some drive.
Johnston and Uhlik continued to work hard in the second quarter but were matched by their midfield opponents, Chapman and Saraceno.
Kenny for Olympic Dam started to get his hands on the ball and Burton was looking dangerous in the forward line, it seemed OD were getting the upper hand only for Williams to slot through a couple late and even the match up again.
Od went into the long break just one point clear in a low scoring match.
Finally a team who could match up against a very strong Olympic Dam outfit had been found and the second half would prove who would head away with the points.
Andamooka, now without midfielder Sanders with an injury, continued to impress, Uhlik and Johnston stepped up in his absence and Fracas started to present causing headaches for the OD coaching staff.
Although the scoreboard didnít show it Andamooka were all over their opponents, continually pumping the ball into their forward line without getting any great result.
Typical of the contest though, Olympic Dam went forward late to steal a couple and even the game up again.
Both coaches urged their players on for one final effort, pleading for their players to push hard for the points. They didnít disappoint with both teams throwing everything at their opponents, Andamooka seemed to have the legs pushing to contests and again putting the OD players under pressure with numerous forays into the forward line.
Williams, a handful for OD all game, seemed to be destined to be the game breaker. Johnston, best on ground in my book, continued to work hard punishing Olympic Dam with his precision skills.
But the last quarter went the same as the third, although Andamooka dominated general field play they werenít able to put it on the scoreboard.
Whenever OD went forward they were able to goal, Lalham was marking everything that came toward him and Chapman was providing the ëgo throughí option in the midfield. With minutes left Williams had a chance to put the Roosí in front but hit the post.
Unfortunately that was the state of their game, missed opportunities in their forward line cost them dearly but they can be more than happy with their performance controlling the game for two and a half quarters.
Turner and the OD coaching staff have a lot to worry about, Andamooka pushed them hard and they were lucky to steal a victory in the end, with a trip up to Coober Pedy next week they could very well be pushed to the limit again. Andamooka take on Roxby next week to sort out who really is the team most likely to challenge Olympic Dam come September.
In the second game, it was another whitewash for Hornridge who are destined for a rather long and frustrating season, after getting thumped by and aggressive Coober Pedy.
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