SMART WORK BY BAYS
Greatly improved side downs Port
By HAYDN BUNTON
Glenelg showed they are a vastly improved team on last season by the tradesman like way they disposed of Port at Alberton today.
The Bays were in command from the start, and had the game won half way through the third quarter, and then bolted home.
|
|
|
| 1st
| 2nd
| 3rd
| Final
| Pts
|
| Port Adelaide
| 2.1
| 4.4
| 5.5
| 6.8
| 44
|
| Glenelg
| 5.2
| 7.6
| 13.13
| 17.16
| 118
|
|
|
On their form today, the Bays have the most even side I've seen them with for many years. If they've got weak links, it's on the centre wings.
With a strong down the middle line, they will probably try to avoid wing play, however, as they were particularly instructed to do today by their coach, Johnny Taylor.
It wasn't so much the margin the Bays won by, but the way they did their work with purpose and determination which impressed.
Forward link
It was evident early the Bays were banking their hopes to a large extent on the combination of Laurie Taylor at centre half-forward, and Churchett as goalsneak. Churchett made fast leads right out from the goals, and Taylor often looked long and searchingly for Churchett.
Churchett was a different player from the somewhat lackadaisical type he seemed in many matches last year. He plunged into the game with a fire and energy which brought him and the Bays good reward.
It was a treat to watch Whitaker in the early stages. The young Port rover kicked beautifully, and moved with the coolness of a veteran.
By the way he talked to his ruck at the throw-ins and bounces and let them know where he was, it was quite evident he profited from his spell of training with Richmond (Vic).
The second quarter was very much a repetition of the first, although Port did begin to show glimmerings of combined play.
Calculated play
Up to nearly half-way through the second term, most of Port's scoring shots came either from frees or errors by Glenelg.
On the other hand, the Bay score had been consistently attained through calculated team play, and Brooker, roving, had played a big part in carrying on the system from the centre through to the forwards.
Growden seemed quite at ease at centre half-forward for Port, although Port probably would have appreciated him in his usual place in the ruck,
where they were beaten badly.
The Bays showed a tendency to overdo the 'looking for Churchett' policy toward the end of the quarter. They led wide into forward pockets, asking Churchett to make some almost impossible leads.
For the first time in the match there were really some fiery exchanges when the third term began. Port seemed to want to make the game hard,
but the harder it became the better Glenelg went.
It wasn't very long after the quarter started that the Bays took complete command. Boyd had gone out from centre to half-forward right for Port,
with Mills at centre, and this gave Trenorden the chance to become a dominating influence.
It was apparent half-way through the third quarter that Glenelg had the game won.
Brooker fine
Brooker, the Bays' first rover, played all day with courage and brains.
He showed good sense many times, and the way he helped Glenelg attacks to be pressed right home by keeping the play going while Port were off-balance showed Glenelg may not be so badly off for roving strength by the time the season is well under way as has been thought.
Colin Churchett played like a man with renewed youth compared with some of his games last season. When he got the ball, he put it to good use.
Haussen, the other rover, also went well and was a good second roving string but did not quite get the results his colleague did. Laffln rucked well, too.
Robjent went solidly through out. All the Taylor brothers — Jack, Don, and Laurie — proved valuable. Jack was in the picture most consistently, but Laurie and Don often pulled off many cool, smart moves.
Alan Greer, on the backline for Port, played practically a lone hand in defence all day. He dod not give his opponent much say in the game.
Best Players—
Glenelg: Brooker, Churchett. Hauesen, L. Taylor, Robjent, Laffin, Crabb.
Port: Greer, Willlams, Whitaker, Growden, Clift, Whelan, Boyd.
Scorers.—
Glenelg: Churchett 6.4; Haussen 3.2; Robjent 2.1; Brooker 2.2; L. Taylor 1.1;. Boehm 1.1; Laffin 0.2; Crabb 0 1; rushed 0.2
Port: Zucker 3.1; Growden 1.1; Whitaker 11; Williams 1.1; Boyd 0.3; Parham 0.1.
