A FIVE-minute hiccup could not derail Spotswood from producing the brand of football that we have become accustomed to from the reigning premier when the Western Region Football League division 1 finals arrive.
The Woodsmen were taken aback by a sizzling three unanswered goals start from the Port Melbourne Colts, but they identified the problem areas, readjusted according to the situation and proceeded to pummel the underdogs for the remaining 115 minutes to record a comfortable 33-point win in the qualifying final at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
Woodsmen player-coach Chris O’Keefe identified the clearances and a lack of accountability as the main sources of concern in a jaw-dropping opening that had their fans asking ‘what is going on?’.
“They came out prepared to play and kicked three goals in about three minutes,” O’Keefe said.
“We just had to start to get our hands on the ball around the contest and make sure that we sticking our tackles and not letting them dictate play.
“Once we were able to do that, we were able to get a fair few balls inside 50 and get a few opportunities ourselves and make sure we got on the scoreboard and fought back.”
The Woodsmen recovered from their ghost-like start to boot 12 of the last 18 goals of the match. They were rarely tested after the initial shock.
Their own wayward kicking for goal – an abysmal 12.22 – kept the scores closer than it should have been.
“The first five minutes were a bit disappointing, but we bounced back well enough,” O’Keefe said.
“The downside for us today is we were very wasteful in front of goal.
“We missed a lot of easy shots that we should’ve knocked over and didn’t get that big enough break on the scoreboard.” It was a level team performance from the Woodsmen.
They were superbly led by home-grown captain Tom Langlands.
When the Woodsmen needed someone to dig in, get their hands dirty and turn the tide of the game, Langlands was the man on a mission and he never let up.
“He was just a workhorse all day,” O’Keefe said.
“He really loves the contested footy and I thought he led from the front.”
Ben Perry claimed the points over Colts’ renowned ruckman Brad Julier.
Perry has been a revelation since crossing from Ainslie and is tipped to take the rest of the finals by storm.
“His confidence is growing and growing,” O’Keefe said.
Jason Cloke would seem to have settled on a key forward post after four goals.
But, he will continue to be an ace up the sleeve, with O’Keefe not afraid to move the one-time AFL player in multiple positions depending on need.
“He really dominated in the forward half,” O’Keefe said.
“We stuffed around with the ball a bit at times and didn’t help him out.
“Once we addressed that we gave him opportunities and he was very effective.”
The Woodsmen were certainly not whooping it up post game.
They understand what it takes to win a finals campaign and the challenge of a mouth-watering second semi-final with minor premiers Altona which awaits on Sunday.
“We understand that we need to continually work hard,” O’Keefe said.
“We won’t be taking our foot off the pedal at all.
“The major prize is in three weeks time and if we’re able to do enough and win it, that’s when we’ll enjoy it.
“For now, it’s just another step along the road. We’ve won our first final and given ourselves a chance to make a grand final.”
The Colts will go on to face Hoppers Crossing in a cutthroat first semi-final.
