In reach … Albion’s Josh Barker stretches to take the mark. 66474
By Michael Esposito
A SPECTACULAR 10-goal first quarter set up Albion’s triumph over the previously unbeaten Spotswood on Saturday.
The Cats stunned the shell-shocked Woodsmen to be 43 points up at quarter time.
The result seemed beyond doubt when Albion held a 10-goal lead mid-way through the third quarter, but Spotswood refused to give in and came within 13 points of Albion at the final siren.
The result did little to give either team a significant psychological edge in the likely event the league’s two best teams meet again in the finals.
Shaydon Bloomfield, Romain Grenville, James Stephens and Jason Butina, kicked 13 goals between them, in a game that showcased Albion’s multi-dimensional and lethal forward line.
“With Jase Butina back, it’s almost given Romain and Donny (Bloomfield) a little bit of room. And they are such good ground players as well as the air,” Albion coach Marcus Barclay said.
At the other end, Jason Cloke appeared the only dangerous target up forward for Spotswood. He kicked two quick goals early, but Albion blasted the next seven.
Even when James Stephens was sent of half way through the first quarter, the Cats still looked like they had more players on the park, due to their intense pressure – particularly up forward – and their dominance at the stoppages.
“That (first quarter) was our best quarter of footy by a mile. We were really focused on our forward pressure,” Barclay said.
“It’s probably the reason why Bloomfield, Grenville and that ran out of puff in the end, because they worked so hard early.”
Glenn Manton started in the centre to add grunt to Albion’s midfield. He later played the loose man in defence when Spotswood made its charge in the last quarter.
Spotswood showed much more resistance in the second term, but still struggled to penetrate up forward with Albion’s zone functioning beautifully to secure a 37-point lead at half time.
When Bloomfield, Todd Finco and Butina kicked Albion to a 58-point lead in the third quarter, the contest seemed all but over.
Bloomfield converted his second 50m penalty of the quarter thanks to an indiscretion by acting Spotswood captain Dylan Ayton, who was the most visible face of Spotswood’s frustrations. But the Woodsmen kicked five of the last seven goals to cut the final margin to 13 points.
