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Two outstanding offensive performances
by Rochedale Rovers on the road have secured last season’s premiers a third
consecutive Grand Final meeting with old foes Brisbane Wolves this Sunday.
SEMI-FINAL
Peninsula Power 2:3 Rochedale Rovers
What happened?
Power started the more livelier on the night and Xavier Lopez was
causing Rovers’ defence all sorts of trouble. But it was a wonder strike from
Greg Cheshire after a tussle in midfield that opened the scoring – nothing less
than an instinctive 25-metre drive into the bottom corner of Jake Reesby’s
goal. It was a shock to the system for Power and the whites were all over the
place for the next 40-odd minutes. Reuben Way found himself on the scoresheet
yet again shortly after Cheshire’s opener – his neat finish after nice lead-up
work from Cody Lovell doubled the visitors’ advantage. Any hint of a comeback
was killed off within ten minutes of the second period, as Way’s long-range
free kick took a hefty deflection and rolled passed an already committed Reesby.
But Power were not about to let their season slip away without a fight and
within minutes of going down 0-3, Todd Gava found space in the area to power
home Richard Hurlin’s cross at the back post. As much as the home side pushed
and committed bodies forward, Rochedale’s defence stood firm. A glimmer of hope
ran through the home crowd in the second minute of stoppage time, as Mott
Hornby picked up the scraps from a deflected shot and snuck in a second goal.
There was late drama as Power had one last chance from a corner, but Josh Ahern’s
near-post flick sailed over the bar with Power’s season following along.
The numbers:
Power – Gava ’57; Hornby ‘90+2
Rovers – Cheshire ’10; Way ’22, ‘53
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Redlands United 0:5 Rochedale Rovers
What happened?
A brilliant fast tempo exhibited by both sides entertained the
Cleveland Showgrounds crowd in the early stages of the game. It was nothing
less than what was expected from two of the most lethal offenses in the league,
but what was not expected from the home faithful was a Rochedale opener. Reuben
Way made sure that was just what happened, the in-form sharp-shooter stepping
and skipping past three Redlands defenders to power home from a tight angle.
Moments later it was two – Way this time playing provider in a vintage counter
attack brilliantly finished off by Cody Lovell. The Devils started the second
period in full force as Rochedale contained a string of attacks. But against
the run of play, Keenan Duimpies unleashed a remarkable 30 metre shot to all
but seal Rovers’ passage to the Grand Final. The Rover steam train didn’t stop there
however, with the best goal coming 20 minutes from time. Reuben Way broke clear
on the flank and sent in a delicious floating cross to the back post. Cheshire
took the ball down with his first touch, aimed for the top corner and executed
with precision. Further embarrassment was heaped on Redlands moments before
full-time, as Duimpies completed his brace with an audacious chip from outside the area.
Champagne football from Rochedale and clinical finishing against the league
champions.
The numbers:
Rovers – Way ’30; Lovell ’32; Duimpies ’61, ’89; Cheshire ‘72
GRAND FINAL
Wolves FC – Rochedale Rovers
Everyone will be talking about?
The recent rivalry the two clubs have forged in the finals.
Rochedale and Wolves have now met in four consecutive finals - with Rovers
managing only their first win in last year’s Grand Final. History is on Wolves’
side, but form seems to be on Rochedale’s. Three clinical attacking displays so
far in the finals have seen Tim Brown’s men bag ten goals for just two
conceded. Eight points separated both sides after the home and away season,
with Wolves finishing 2nd and Rovers 4th, but recent margins
between the two sides have never managed to escalate. A close game is in store
and the main talking point will be which forward line will shine brighter on the
day.
Recent Finals History:
2011 Grand Final – Wolves 1:3 Rochedale
2011 Qualifying Final – Wolves 2:1 Rochedale
2010 Grand Final –Wolves 1:0 Rochedale
2010 Qualifying Final – Rochedale 1:3 Wolves
2009 Semi Final – Rochedale 1:1 Wolves (*Wolves won on penalties)
Prediction:
By the time Sunday comes around, Wolves would have had 18 days
rest – compared to Rochedale’s eight. A question of match sharpness springs to
mind – raising the debate of whether a win in the first week of finals is in fact a
positive. Rochedale are in hot-form, but they won’t win this by more than a
goal.