James Murphy
GLENCOE 13.8 (86) d HATHERLEIGH 10.19 (79)
Glencoe’s run of success continued in impressive fashion on Saturday when the Murphies claimed their fourth win on the trot against second-placed Hatherleigh.
The Eagles hosted the clash and were without the services of Mark Marriott on the day due to state commitments.
Inaccuracy cost the home team on the day with 19 behinds.
That started early in the piece and at the first change Glencoe held a three-point lead with two less scoring shots.
More of the same followed in the second quarter as Hatherleigh stacked on one goal and seven behinds, while the Murphies kicked surely to convert four majors and a behind.
At the main break the lead was 15 but the Eagles surged in the “premiership” quarter and tightened things back up heading into the final stanza.
They managed to straighten things up in front of the big sticks to reel the margin back in to two points and set up an exciting fourth term.
“We always knew they were going to come, they are a very good side,” Glencoe coach Tom Edwards said.
“We just had to weather the storm when they did come and then capitalise when we could go forward.
“I think the lead changed in the last quarter two or three times but we managed to be relentless and keep getting back on top.”
Glencoe held firm and claimed a big scalp for the season, much to Edwards’ delight.
“We certainly gave ourselves a chance with the form we have been in over the last month,” he said.
“We just had to go out and play our style of footy and that is what we did.
“We put a big emphasis on winning the ball first and once we did that we could move it forward and we did that all day.”
Alex Hentschke was a focal point in the Murphies’ attack and finished his day with a game-high five goals.
“He has been building over the last couple of weeks,” Edwards said.
“He has really been working on his craft and he had an awesome game, everything stuck for him on the weekend.
“He was also swapping into the ruck as well – we had our ruckman out with a broken finger.
“He had to help out a bit in the ruck duties as well, which he did really well at.”
Dylan Pfitzner and Jake Blackwell were also solid up front with three and two goals respectively.
However, it was the efforts from Patrick Mitchell which were recognised as the best for the game.
His work off half back and through the midfield was second to none, while Zacc Cocks was also impressive through there.
“They are both having really good years,” Edwards said.
“In particular on Saturday they both just won the contested ball.
“They were both really in and under and beat their opponents to the ball all day.”
Pfitzner and Alex and Ben Hentschke rounded out the best in yet another strong team effort.
For the home team it was Joe Rayson who impressed, while Jordan Galpin, Jett Faulkner and Darcy Bateman were solid also.
Bradley Mitchell was the main contributor in front of goals with three, while Patrick Chay and Sam Telfer bagged two each.
While it remains statistically possible for Glencoe to scrape into the top four, it would rely on Mount Burr not winning another game for the year.
The Mozzies face Nangwarry this round, which will quench that slim chance.
However, their current form does bode well for the Murphies moving forward if they can retain numbers and form over the off-season.
For the second-placed Eagles they will look to straighten things up in front of goal as they approach finals in a few week’s time.
