Davide de Vellis in Actions for the Golden Gate Roos

Hornets Torpedo Pirates

August 2, 2010 By Davide de Vellis Scoresheet
Footy returned to Concord this week with the sun shining and the ground in impeccable condition. The top of the ladder Oakland Pirates took on the ever improving San Jose Hornets. The pirates were short a couple of their star players who were kitting up for the Revo's squad, along with coach Matt Bishop. The hornets had a near full squad so began the game very optimistic of an upset.

The first quarter was hard fought from the onset with Luke Hedge coming out full of beans for his last game of footy before returning to Australia. The teams were going goal for goal and from very early on it looked like we had a game on our hands. Luke Quirk dominated for the Pirates and an Injured Chris Johnson was proving to be a handful for Rod Bell. Jim Blocho was getting plenty of the footy for the hornets and Shane Powell was strong and accurate at full forward to keep the hornets in the game. The score at quarter time was Oakland 5.5 to San Jose 4.2.

The first 5 mins of the second quarter the hornets seemed to go to sleep and the Pirates looked strong with great run and great disposals and it looked like even with the absence of their 3 better players, there was plenty of depth in the team to pick up the loss. However, the Hornet's began to find their feet and fought hard to stop the onslaught of the pirates and keep them in the game. Chris O'Meara got plenty of the footy playing a kick behind play and seemed to set the stage for the remainder of the game and Davide De Vellis finding the goals, kicking 3 for the quarter. The Hornet's went in to half time leading the Pirates by a goal.

The Hornets back line came out switched on and ready to fight in the third quarter with Michael Stone standing up to shut down Luke Quirk, who wasn't seen for the rest of the match, and Rod Bell shutting down Chris Johnson. O'Meara again dominated across the half back line, connecting often with Davide De Vellis who swapped into the centre for a struggling Ian Gunn. It could have been even worse for the Pirates as the Hornets pummelled their forward line but missing a couple of absolute sitters and also struggling for distance against the wind. A move to full forward for veteran player Gordon Beith, who normally plays across the half backline, saw him kick 2 goals but the Pirates continued to find replies at the other end of the ground with the wind. In a bold but supportive move for the greater good of GGAFL footy, the Pirates swapped in a new American player into the ruck which allowed the hornets to take full control out of the centre and begin to control the game. A couple of dubious 50m penalties against new players for the Pirates also gave the hornets renewed energy and caused the pirates to focus more on the umpiring than the football.

The pirates began to run out of legs in the last quarter and even the couple of pickups from the first game couldn't help. The Hornets used their bench well and kept their running players fresh. A couple of quick early goals for the Pirates saw them come back into the game but the Hornets, with the wind, were able to find the goals also. Another Hornet last gamer, Lon Payne, kicked his first and questionably last of his career. A strong mark just before the final siren saw McLean line up about 20m right in front to seal the match for the Hornets who came away with the upset of the season, eventual winners by 14 points. It was a great team effort by the hornets to knock off the tip of the ladder Pirates, and if they can continue with the intensity, commitment and team effort they showed on Saturday, it's going to make for a ripper final series.


Hornets Best: Michael Stone, Chris O'Meara, Luke Hedge, the whole team.

Oakland Best: Chris Johnson, Travis Hemmen, Greg Blackman, Mark Beare