Temora wins back-to-back flags

Playing in front of a large and boisterous crowd, Temora wore down The Rock-Yerong Creek and took out the 2013 grand final 12.14 (86) to 11.4 (70).

Temora’s victory was a passionate and emotional one as it also ensured the club was able to send out star full-forward Scott Blackwell and defender Michael Oliver as winners.

Blackwell and Oliver have played together with Temora for the past 13 years and in the lead-up to today’s game both players announced they would retire after the grand final.

It was a fiery and tough affair all afternoon but in the end the run and fitness of Temora shone through and the Kangaroos successfully defended their crown.

Tough Temora utility Dan Reid was heavily involved in the win and he was later announced as the best player on the ground.

Temora had winners all over the ground and threatened to blow the game wide open in the early stages as the Kangaroos peppered the big sticks in the first quarter.

The Rock-Yerong Creek managed the opening goal of the game inside the first minute when Todd Hannam snapped truly to give the Magpies the perfect start.

However, Temora soon stepped up to the mark with veteran forward Blackwell marking strongly and kicking his first goal of the afternoon, which was soon followed by a crumbing goal to Kangaroos’ coach Mark Kruger.

Riding a wave of possession Temora locked the ball inside its forward 50m for the next 15 minutes of the game with TRYC defence, under immense pressure, unable to clear the ball past centre half-back.

While Temora was in control of the football it failed to capitalise on its opportunities and missed several shots in succession before TRYC took the ball down the other end and kicked a goal through classy midfielder David Pieper.

Adding to Temora’s woes in front of goal, Luke Gerhard was awarded a 50m penalty late in the last quarter but missed the ensuing shot on goal from the top of the square.

Despite its dominance with the ball, Temora only managed to go into the quarter-time break with a five-point lead after kicking a wasteful 2.7 to TRYC’s 2.2.

TRYC owned the start of the second term with Hannam kicking two goals and Luke Webb one major to push the Magpies out to 12-point lead by the 15-minute mark.

However, Temora rallied and goals to Fisher and Blackwell levelled the scores before Kangaroos veteran Damien Ponting snapped truly to give the Kangaroos a six-point lead at the half-time break.

Controversy raged on the half-time siren when an all-in brawl commenced between both teams with several players throwing punches and umpires trying to get control of the situation for three or four minutes.

Players for both teams were heavily involved in the melee and it resulted in two Temora players – Sam Fisher and Tim McAuley – and one TRYC player – Luke Webb – being given yellow cards.

Playing with one extra player on the field to start the third quarter, TRYC took advantage with two of the opening three goals of the term and scores were level when Fisher, McAuley and Webb were allowed to re-enter the contest at the 15-minute mark.

Back to 18 on 18, Temora lifted its work rate and Robert Grant and Kruger both kicked goals to push the Kangaroos to a 15-point lead at three-quarter time.

With the premiership up for grabs, both teams came out hard and it was a pulsating last quarter of football.

Adam Reid had the first big play of the last quarter when he kicked a goal to put Temora further ahead before Blackwell slotted his third major and the lead was out to 28 points.

However, TRYC fought back with a goal to key forward Mitch Ward followed by a booming 60m laser-like major from Pieper to get the Magpies back to within 16 points.

After taking a strong mark on a long lead, Ward then slotted another goal when he kicked truly from a tight angle on the boundary line and TRYC was just 10 points behind 15 minutes into the last term.

With the title well and truly on the line Blackwell stood tall and took a strong mark before handball over to young Temora star Jake Barrett who slotted a goal to make the margin 17 points.

Ward then beat two Temora defenders and snapped a great goal off his left foot to cut the margin to just 10 points again at the 22-minute mark.

However, just as TRYC was piling on the pressure, Temora steadied through another goal to Barrett, which sealed the win and the premiership.

Temora had stars all over the ground with Reid dominant in the win while Rob Grant was prolific on a wing and Adam Reid also stood tall throughout the game.

Blackwell also kicked four goals in a top final performance for Temora.

Pieper was a standout for TRYC and he won plenty of possessions, used the ball very well with his left-foot and he also kicked two goals while Aiden Ridley and Dale Hugo were also solid for the Magpies and Ward finished with four goals.