In what was a hugely important game for the league side, TAs have come away with a dominant 72 win over Wembley. Heading into the game desperately needing a win to get their season back on track, the TAs boys dominated from start to finish, with only some inaccurate kicking in front of goal stopping the margin from blowing out even further.
TAs midfield set the tone from the opening bounce, with skipper Tom Valentine leading from the front with good support from fellow inside mids Jeremy Power, Stephen Pover & Josh Roupahel. With Trent Hackett & Preston O’Keefe providing plenty of run on the outside, the side was able to generate 14 inside 50s in the first quarter alone, however the return of 4.6 to quarter time left the door ajar for Wembley. At the other end of the ground, the back 6 led by key pivots Nick Rodan & Jake Howes was able to repel Wembley’s few forward thrusts, holding the opposition goalless for the term.
The second quarter saw Wembley start to provide some link up run, allowing some clean entries inside 50 where their dangerous goal kickers were able to capitalise on the opportunities. TAs had lost some of their overlap run through the middle of the ground, meaning all entries were shallow, making scoring more difficult. 3 goals apiece for the quarter saw the side take a 29 point lead into the half time break.
With the focus narrowed down to a couple of key points, the side was able to get its running game going again in the third quarter, with the midfield group starting to spread the ground as they did in the first quarter, resulting in some clean entries inside F50 where key targets Ben McAullay, Damon Guinness & Tim Watkins were able to provide a strong contest. At ground level Cal Walley, Tim Bruce & Scott Moore were able to mop up, resulting in the side putting on 5 goals for the quarter. As with the first quarter however, the side battled with the blustery conditions, kicking 7 behinds. Meanwhile at the other end, Wembley continued to capitalise on their forward 50 entries, and their 3 goals for the quarter saw TAs go in with a 48 point lead at the last break.
With the opposition clearly tiring in the last quarter, TAs was able to run over the top, with a 5 goal to 1 final term bringing up the sides largest score for the year, although at 17.18 there was likely a missed opportunity for an even bigger result.
TAs had winners all over the round, with captain Tom Valentine continuing his good run of form, whilst up forward Cal Walley (5 goals) and Ben McAullay (3.5) were able to get some good looks at goal. Down back, the ever reliable Ben Pearse had his hands full matched up against arguably the competitions best forward, however battled hard all day with good support from youngster Hayden Fancote.
Overall, a pleasing victory for the side, and with some senior players starting to return and some much need continuity amongst the group, the focus now shifts to Round 13 and a must win game up at Kingsway Reserve. The Roos came away with a 2 goal win in Round 5 in a match played in unusual circumstances, with TAs now looking to put together consecutive wins for the first time since Round 4.
T.A.A.F.C 17.18 120
Wembley 7.6 48
5: Walley
3: McAullay
1: Moore, Watkins, Rodan M, Pover, Hackett, Foley, Rouphael, Birrell, Bruce
