PALM Beach-Currumbin emerged victorious, but badly damaged, after beating Western Magpies in a torrid Pineapple Hotel Cup qualifying final at Chelmer Oval on Sunday.
By Terry Wilson
On the back of a big second quarter, the Lions eventually scored by 11.8 (74) to 9.12 (66), but paid a heavy price because they finished the match with no one on the bench and with their co-captain Matty Carroll in doubt to take any further part in the finals action because of a strained hamstring.
Trevor Cahir (shoulder), teenager Nick Burton (concussion) and Jack Munro (hamstring) also failed to see out the match.
The situation only added to the merit of the Lions’ success because they did it tough in a tough match.
A good opening term, when they kicked 2.2 to 2.3 against a strong breeze, set up what was to be the match-deciding second quarter.
According to Magpies coach Peter McClennan, his charges played the second stanza like they knew something was about to happen.
It did, but it ‘happened’ to Palm Beach instead, who rammed on 6.1 to 1.4 with the wind at their backs.
“They were dreadful,” said McClennan of his players in the second quarter, although they reacted to a half-time blast and were much more competitive after that.
Yet, even though the Lions could not rotate players off the bench in the fourth term, the visitors matched the Magpies with 2.4 apiece after three-quarter time.
PBC coach Craig O’Brien was rapt with his players, describing the result as a good, gutsy win, especially after a caning in the free-kick department, which favoured the Magpies 29-9.
“It was a good result under the circumstances, but not a good day after the injuries,” he said.
Good news for the Lions, though, is that James Drake, Chris Williams, Lee Clark and Brad Hewat are all due back next weekend when the Lions travel to Noosa for the second semi-final, a Saturday game.
Co-captain Angus Munro continued his stellar season to be best for the Lions, Ahead of Damian Lyon, Ry6an and Brad Hards and ruckman Michael I’Anson.
McClennan felt the Magpies lost the game rather than PBC winning it, although wayward kicking for goal – the Magpies missed two set shots from 35m out in the last quarter – hurt the team.
Best for the home side were Tim McEvoy and Blake McClennan in the middle, ruckman/defender Scott Clarke, back pocket Chris Mihalopoulos and on-baller/defender Lachlan Woods-Honour.
