The message from Warde before the big one was the same as always, Powerhouse had to set the intensity levels and the vein was bulging at the thoughts of playing these guys and he had a few 'unpleasant' terms for them, reflecting on the round 18 clash. He emphasised the attacking side of the ground and that the wingers and half backs had to be defensive against the wind. To a man, everyone had to stand up and if 1 Powerhouse player was involved in anything, then the 21 others had to back them up. Jados won the toss and the 'House had the wind advantage and had to take advantage. However, Bentleigh got out of the blocks quickly and hit the big full forward Rodwell for the first of the afternoon. Powerhouse were quickly back in though, Macca took a good mark in the middle and hit Drewy at half forward and he in turn hit Marty on the 50 metre arc way out on the left. Marty kicked it true for a cracking goal. Benleigh though were showing plenty of composure on the ball and worked a good move down the right hand side before switching into the danger area with their winger marking in the goals for their 2nd of the day against the wind. These goals would prove significant. The tackling was ferocious at times and eventually Powerhouse began to get decent use, Russ getting into the game, Macca getting a few early touches and Chocko beginning to have his usual influence. The little fella had the umpire paying him 25 metres after a good contest on the 50 and some backchat from Bentleigh. Chocko made no mistake with the free kick. However, the Powerhouse boys were not as clean in the disposal and Bentleigh were able to hang onto the pill for periods, dropping some talls back to the half back line and claiming some good marks and see out the quarter with the wind picking up further. All square at the first break 2-2 each.

Powerhouse was going to have to lift the intensity levels to another level in the 2nd quarter against a quality opposition and a stiff wind. The hot conditions didn't help but it was the same for both sides. The boys were never going to win the game in the 2nd but it was possible to loose it and that's what probably panned out. The pill was simply coming in to often and too precise for the defence that has been outstanding all year and Rodwell was able to take some good marks. The run was not coming from the half backline and when the boys did get it clear, even handballs were going astray. Kyne was providing some run on the wing and getting hands on it and Johnny B came on for some pace in the forward line but it simply wasn't getting up there. A long bomb from Bentleigh that bounced through when looking like a point summed up the quarter for the 'house. Bentleigh had all the momentum and kicked 7 for the quarter to Powerhouse's single behind to do some serious damage on the scoreboard. The boys walked off with a 44-point deficit to face in the 2nd half.

It would have been easy for the heads to go down at half time and give up the ghost. That's not counting on Warde's belief in his team and the character of the playing group, having won 12 of the previous 13 matches. He drilled his belief into each and every one of the 22 that they could get mighty close in the 3rd and win it in the last quarter. Obviously Marshy had been singled out by the opposition and had been copping it all day from the Bentleigh backline. When he was bowled over while tying his lace before the 2nd half ball up, it fired up the boys even more. A great compliment to Marshy, obviously singled out after his performance in round 18. The superstar just smiled and let his footie do the talking. Big Dave Maloney was moved from full back to full forward to get that target up front and Plazzer and Macca came onto the ball early in the 3rd. Big Rhino stepped up in the 2nd half and was giving the onballers good use with the wind, Powerhouse started to dominate. Macca was winning a few frees and finding the footie as was Warde with his uncompromising style in the middle. Marshy kicked the 1st of a 6-goal quarter with some great roving from he back of the pack and a sweet right foot. Big Dave got in on the act with a good mark and goal and the boys’ tails were up. The backline were pushing up the ground with Barrett and Treeby prominent. Marty and Jimmy got in on the goal scoring act after some good work by Chocko and Marshy to force the ball forward. The only negative for the ‘House was the goal against the run of play, more clean football from Bentleigh. Marshall showed his talents at the end of the quarter with a goal of the year contender, over his shoulder from a pack to lift the boys as they headed into the ¾ time huddle, 13 points down.

The support had been fantastic throughout the finals and there was a huge crowd around the boys at the huddle. The players had done themselves and the club proud and had given themselves every chance of a come from behind win. Warde put Marshy and Russ as extra half backs in an attempt to stem the flow that would follow with the wind at Bentleigh’s backs. The final quarter was frantic as a desperate ‘House fought gallantly to get over the line. They had opportunities, Marty and Jimmy both took marks inside 50, but the wind was howling and the kicks were difficult and went through for minor scores. Once Bentleigh kicked their 1st of the final term, it was looking good for them. The boys never gave up, the backline winning plenty of ball and Jados getting the run going in the midfield and the onballers doing well in the many stoppages, led by the inspirational coach and big Dave Maloney also getting plenty of the pill. Alas it was not to be, the boys restricted Bentleigh to just 1 more major but couldn’t get the footie to the attacking pocket and their taller backmen did well when the ball was put inside 50.

The siron sounded to celebrating Bentleigh and shattered Powerhouse players. A huge effort but the 2nd quarter of footie was the difference and the lack of goals against the wind. Credit to Bentleigh who played the cleaner footie. But the boys can be proud of their effort, they never relented and every   player gave 110%. A shattered Warde said he was proud of his players and could look everyone in the eye and knew they’d given everything. A fantastic season for the Reserves, getting so close to the ultimate prize. A big thanks to everyone how helped out all year, the presentation night will address all the work done by too many people to mention here.  

Lets stick together boys, have a good summer and a good preseason and lets go 1 better in 2010. Go ‘House. 

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                        Q1   Q2    Q3   Q4

POWERHOUSE  2.2  2.3   8.5   8.7 - 55

BENTLEIGH       2.2  9.5  10.6  12.8 - 80 

POWER HOUSE

Goal Kickers: M. Bull 2, M. Leahy 2, M. Verberne, D. Maloney, J. Riley, M. Spiliotalopoulos 
Best Players: W. Elliott, D. Maloney, R. MacUmber, J. McCarthy, M. Treeby, M. Spiliotalopoulos