The wait was worth it! Round 2 of the SAFL was a ripper leaving the season on a knife’s edge. The Tigers and Bears ran out winners but it was an arm wrestle for the full 4 quarters as the Vipers and Crocs showed plenty.
The game was scrappy early as the heat of play and of the day took a hold. Both teams had plenty of chances but eventually it fell to the new GAA/Brisbane Lions recruit Aaron to kick the quarters only major. His first in his first quarter was a definite sign of things to come for the Bears as he stepped out of traffic at centre half forward, exploded into space and nailed the shot on the run.
Andy G had another 25th birthday during the week but was still in the thick of things laying this tackle on Gaels recruit Pablo under the watchful gaze of Uncle Ho!
It was the Second quarter that decided the game and fittingly it was a Vietnamese stalwart who we haven’t seen too much of in 2021 that got the game moving. Several centre bounce clearance bursts from Dinh Anh Nguyen got the ball going his team’s way and his poise to convert established the margin that would be maintained to the final siren. 3 goals was his final tally showing that his lack of training time hasn’t blunted the skills.
Another returning Vietnamese stalwart Lucy Nguyen played a great game, getting her hands on it throughout and using the footy with notable effectiveness. Lisa Bowring, the Tigers female skipper lead from the front all game. Providing a great link up option and notching up plenty of score involvements. Chia as always found plenty of it and used it well chiming in with 2 goals in the Vipers losing cause and has put herself firmly in contention for the Women’s MVP and Goalkicking award for the 2021 season.
Bench numbers were needed to keep up the pace in the 4 quarter slog.
The big men also had 4 quarter impacts with Jono Mackay getting the umpires best on ground votes in a 3 goal 4 quarter effort. Not to be outdone young ruck buck Cooper Rowe was everywhere, working super hard defensively but still providing and also featured in the votes. Great to see the big boys thriving around the ground. Speaking of big bodies the Crocs No.1 Mid Season draft pick Rusty was everything the Crocs could have hoped providing heated contest in the packs all game and working to the outside and scoring 2 goals when chances presented. His opposing bull Ryan Tishler also slotted 2, these 2 will be team mates in round 3… Will they be too much for the Vipers and Tigers to handle or will the 2 bulls struggle in the same paddock?
Jono Mackay was challenged in the ruck but turned in a BOG performance headlined by 3 majors.
There were some very promising debuts and improvements on show also, Aaron Clerkin went hard all day. Pablo got off to a great start before running into Aaron’s shoulder. Pete Mac snagged 2 goals in his first game showing a unique skill to be in the right place at the right time. Not a debutant by any stretch but FM Josh Pike pulled down a massive pack mark in the goal square and converted in a highlight play that the Crocs will be hoping he can reproduce in Round 3 and through the 2022 season.
What does that mean you may ask? Well it means plenty:
– It means the 3rd and final round in the race for the Saigon Cup is has been flipped on its head. The previously untouchable Vipers have now been proven beatable and the Bears and Tigers have leap frogged them on the tight ladder.
– The goal kicking leaderboard is hotting up – Tigers Skipper Wayne McMahon has had a plethora of forward half ball and should be favorite to take out the award from here.
– MVP Voting will also be tight and it’ll take some big efforts in the 3rd round to secure the Men’s and Women’s awards for 2021!
6 – Jono Mackay
5 – Rusty
4 – Aaron Clerkin
3 – Chia
2 – Lisa Bowring
1 – Cooper Rowe
– Round 3 on the 27th is going to be a cracker seeing the Vipers and Tigers combine against the Bears and Crocs. Training this Saturday in preparation so make sure to be at Hoa Lu by 10:15am.
not to be outdone the next generation were preparing for future SAFL seasons at Hoa Lu
