Saturday 7 August 2010
Aspley continued their strong finish to the 2010 QAFL season with a stunning 69-point win over the NT Thunder at Graham Road today.
The Hornets’ 22.11 (143) was their highest score since joining the State League and their winning margin was the second biggest in their 34 games in the QAFL.
Their inspired victory ended the Thunder’s faint hopes of earning a home final in Darwin and left the NT locked in a fierce battle with Redland for fifth spot.
The Thunder lost the game in the first quarter when they sprayed 2.7 to 2.2 kicking with the aid of the breeze.
They slaughtered a number of simple chances, failing to capitalize on a dominant start by Brett Goodes.
Aspley won the clearances in the first quarter but took complete control in the second.
Matt Shir was again dynamite, while Sam Carpenter and Reece Toye were good early and outstanding over the final three quarters, and Nikos Keim booted two early goals to keep his side in touch.
The Hornets kicked 7.4 to 4.4 in the second term and the Thunder’s poor body language as they trudged off a halftime was a pointer to the third quarter.
Aspley rammed on 8.2 to 2.2 to break the game wide open, with nimble half-forward Matt Nickerson having a field day with three goals for the term.
They won the last quarter as well to post the most comprehensive win in the team’s short history other than a 77-point victory of the lowly Western Magpies at the same venue last season.
The 22.11 (143) to 10.15 (75) was a huge setback to the Thunder, who were a devastated team in the rooms afterwards.
Aspley’s defence was again resolute, with Tyson Hartwig doing a superb job in restricting Thunder ace Darren Ewing to one.
Dan Roy was superb out of a back pocket and Robert Copeland was his usual solid self across half-back.
Toye, Carpenter and Shir provided the midfield drive, while Scott Waters did an excellent tagging job on matchwinner Cameron Ilett.
While Ilett tried hard, every one of his possessions was under pressure and Waters allowed him just the one shot at goal.
The Hornets forward line functioned smoothly, with Sunshine Coast youngster Mitch Scholard enjoying a day out with five goals.
Tall forward Steve Brittain, in his first senior game for the club after transferring from Southport and then battling injury problems, was also prominent.
Brittain had a hand in at least six goals and booted two himself in yet another promising sign for Aspley’s future.
The only downside for the Hornets was what appeared to be a seriously knee injury to the super consistent Brent Evans.
Evans was on crutches after the game with fears he had ruptured an ACL in the knee.
The Thunder disappointed with their lack of intensity, especially in the second half.
Ruckman Kenrick Tyrrell tried hard in a willing battle with Dylan Reid, who was also very good for his side.
Matt Rosier did a solid stopping job on Jamie Sheahan, and Goodes was high on the best player standings despite a quieter second half.
