A very low scoring match saw Tumby Bay Blues take the honours by the minute margin of one point over the Lock Roos.
In an entertaining game, there was plenty of play and a real commitment of players to their team and a will to win - traits that have been sadly lacking from the Roos over in the past few rounds. Lock was pleased to have Clint Beard back to take over rucking duties from the injured A Pearce and the Tiller duo in defence and mid field.The game was fast and the ball moved the length of the big Lock oval numerous times as both defence lines stood up to challenges. Agars at half forward for Lock was being tested by I Lebrun with Clarke and Milton his chief lieutenants. Arbon was giving Prime a bath across the half back line continually repelling attacks and running the ball into the centre.
Morton and K Tiller ably backed him with Z Tiller and Britza carrying the ball to the forward line. First blood came to Lock through Agars and Morton bundling the ball to A Hetzel, a feat he was able to repeat a few minutes later due to the desperation of C Beard, Northcott and Britza.
The ball continued to see saw with Chard and Southern leading the midfield for the Blues, Curtis, J and I Lebrun continually under pressure and R Clarke giving his all. Lock's third goal was posted through Longmire with the Blues finally making a mark at the 22 minute mark through scrambly play finally giving Butler the chance to find the big sticks.
At 3-1 to 1-1 Lock should have been further ahead at quarter time, they had more forward chances but could not capitalise with opposition midfield pressure playing its part on the less than accurate disposal towards the fifty metre arc.
The second quarter was a repeat of the first. Beard was valuable in the centre contests and his ability to use his body all over the ground gave the Roos added advantage one kick behind the play. K Tiller and Clarke were having a great tussle as were Hentschke and Kelly. Kelly was able to shake his opposition on the outer flank at the ten minute mark and bring up the Blues second goal. Not to be outdone, the racing Z Tiller placed a bullet speed pass onto Longmire's chest, to see him goal for Lock.
The ball continued to be hotly contested with numerous handpasses and short kicks in an attempt to gain some advantage until good work from Southern, Curtis and Chard found fourteen year old Partington who made no mistake in goaling for his first A Grade match.
With three scoring shots each, Lock went into the long break with a slender lead 4-3 to Tumby Bay 3-2. An injury to Morton on the siren saw him take no further part in the game.
In the highest scoring quarter, Agars stepped up another notch to brilliant as he snatched overhead marks and was the go-to forward for Lock. He majored very early and with Heath, Northcott, C Pearce and K Tiller defending stoutly supported by Z Tiller, Hetzel was able to add his third goal. Lock then eased the pressure and Tumby pounced.
Sharking the pack Southern made no mistake when given the chance. Cross, J LeBrun and Chard sped through the midfield and half way through the quarter finally found Prime who had been moved to full forward. From fifty metres on the outer flank he made no mistake with a repeat from the same position three minutes later.
A clever clearance from the centre through Butler found Southern on his own who made no mistake to put the Blues in front for the first time and lead at the final break 7-3 to 6-6.
Lock came out of the blocks early through Northcott, Z Tiller, Britza and Agars, culminating in a goal from Northcott's less favoured side to see the Roos back in front. Both teams rose above 'tractor legs' with running, ferocious tackling, shepherding and slogging yard by yard advances for their team.
A double one-two from Britza and Agars enabled Agars to post another major for Lock at the fifteen minute mark and one may have thought it was game over. Tumby Bay then locked the ball into their forward line through sheer perseverance with Chard, Southern, Curtis and Clark digging deep.
Chard was able to prevail at the nineteen minute mark with another attempt resulting in a minor and Lock hanging on by a whisker. Both sides continued to throw everything they had at the ball; Locks disposals letting them down once again until Primus was able to make one of his few getaways with only minutes remaining and nail it.
It was enough to get Tumby Bay over the line at 9-3 to Lock 8-8. Chard and Southern played exceptionally well on the run for the Blues, as did D Clark, I LeBrun and Butler, with Prime's 3 goals after half time a match winning contribution.
The strength and leadership from Agars and Arbon for the Roos was a treat, Z Tiller and Britza's speed and agility fantastic with K Tiller and Hetzel winners for Lock.
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