<!-- .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } -->The Pirates faced NOBS in a crucial game for both teams. The Game was played at VAFA headquarters as the Pirates home ground was unavailable. A win for the Pirates would have cemented their position in the top 4 a loss would jeopardise it. Coach Mark Glenn stressed the importance of a good effort in such a crucial round.
The Pirates won the toss and kicked to what appeared the scoring end. They domoinated posession all over the ground with Rob Stainforth Will Coghlan & Stef Barbour giving the forwards led by Shaun Payze first use of the ball. Carl Ashdown played well down back and Cade Bannister played an unfamiliar forward role but excelled with 3 shots for goal. Despite the dominance around the ground the Pirates were unable to translate that to the scoreboard leading 2.5.17 to 1.4.10
The 2nd quarter saw NOBS dominate early around the ground. It was difficult to believe it was the same 2 teams that lined up for the 2nd quarter. Whereas the Pirates domintaed the 1st NOBS ran harder and played with much more purpose than the Pirates, who although having many entries into forward 50 they were under pressure, where as the NOBS entries into their forward half were fluent allowing the forwards ample opportunity to kick goals and they did. NOBS led 5.6 to 3.9 at half time
The Pirates were still confident they could overrun NOBS but the 3rd quarter was an extension of the 2nd with NOBS dominating, especially across half back. The ball was moving into their forward line very quickly and had it not been for the efforts of full back Jarrod Smith and half back Carl Ashdown, the game would have been a blow out. NOBS once again translated around the ground dominance to the scoreboard leading 12.8 to 5.12
The last quarter saw NOBS continue to dominate kicking 3 of the 1st 4 goals and leading by 9 goals but to the Pirates credit they fought back with Shaun Payze Stef Barbour and Vaughan Clarke lifting allowing them to kick the last 3 goals. The final margin flattered the Pirates but coach Mark Glenn saw some positive signs late in the game that should allow the players to perform at their best next week against Old Mentone
1st 2.5.17 1.4.10
2nd 3.9.27 6.6.42
3rd 5.12.42 12.8.80
4th 9.15.69 15.15.105
Best S Payze J Smith S Barbour W Coghlan C Ashdown V Clarke
Goals S Payze 4 C bannister 2 T Coghlan 1 A Wood 1 S Barbour 1