The Riverland Superdogs hosted the Phantoms at Lyrup Oval for Round 7 of AFL Masters SA. The day was also the Ladies and Sponsors Appreciation Day, and although it was cool it was partly cloudy with a slight breeze, making it perfect weather for both football and the spectators. The Phantoms presented a very mobile team of players who knew how to play the game and they scored a goal in less than a minute of the opening bounce. This set the scene for the Superdogs letting them know they had their paws full for the remainder of the game. Phantoms constantly won the centre clearances, kicking 7 goals to 2 to take a 31 point lead at quarter time.
In the second quarter the undermanned Superdogs played their hearts out and restricted the Phantoms to 4 goals. The Phantoms did well in defence and held the Superdogs to 1 goal. The centre clearances started to even up with Matt Recchia getting his fair share of the ball. The Superdogs started to work hard with Joe Butson, Blake Wierda and Dave Ireland working tirelessly to keep the Superdogs in the game. Shane Healy was dangerous at full forward and when he got the ball he finished well. Greg Schloithe had a tough job in the ruck being outsized by his opponent, but he fought on all day.
After the long break the Phantoms came out firing and scored 6 goals to 1 in the third quarter. They continued to be too big, too fast and too classy for the undermanned Superdogs. To their credit the Superdogs never stopped trying – Rob Romeo, Darren Tieste and Paul Glassey all providing stiff resistance in defence but the avalanche of Phantoms was too much to hold back.
The final quarter saw the Phantoms tire slightly on the well grassed surface, allowing the Superdogs some respite and a chance to score some late goals. The Phantoms kicked 5 goals and the Superdogs managed 4 of their own. In this quarter Dave Ireland, Rob Romeo, Blake Wierda, Matt Recchia and Jason King teamed up and drove the Dogs into attack repeatedly to add some respectability to the score. Robbie Johnstone lit up the goal square with 3 goals for the quarter. Despite the Phantoms superiority the game was a good spectacle and was played in true Masters spirit.
The Superdogs next game is against Woodville South at Lyrup Oval on Sunday 17th July at 1PM
Final score:
Phantoms 22.10.142
Riverland Superdogs 8.4.52
Goal scorers: S Healy, R Johnstone 3; D Ireland, J King
Best players: J Butson, D Ireland, M Recchia, J King, R Romeo
Location
Lyrup Oval
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