By Tara Murray
The Calder Cannons’ premiership dreams were crushed by the Oakleigh Chargers at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
After a promising start, the Cannons were unable to match the Chargers’ run and carry after quarter-time and found themselves on the back foot.
The Chargers had one hand on the premiership cup by three-quarter-time and held off
a Calder comeback to win, 17.15 (117) to 11.4 (70).
The Cannons’ day got off to a bad start with potential top 20 AFL national draft picks Peter Wright and Damian Cavka late withdrawals.
Wright, who hurt his knee in Calder’s preliminary final win, was always in doubt.
Cannons coach Andrew Jago said despite indicating midweek that Wright would play, he was never going to take to the field.
“If it was next week, he would have played,” Jago said.
“Cavka did his groin on Tuesday night.
“To clock up the running kilometres that guy does, we had to change the way our forward line was structured.
‘‘That was always going to be a little
bit difficult.
“If you take three top 20 draft picks [Wright, Cavka and Jake Lever] out of
any TAC Cup side, it’s going to make
things hard.’’
The Cannons led by 17 points at quarter-time, but soon found themselves playing catch-up football.
“The second quarter, that was the big shift in momentum,” Jago said.
“[Oakleigh] got their outside run going and we couldn’t shut it down.
“We acknowledged all week that contested footy would be our strength.
“[The Chargers] have elite foot skills.
‘‘We didn’t use the ball well going into forward 50 in the second quarter and they were running in waves off half-back.
“That was the difference.”
The margin was out to six goals by three-quarter time and the Cannons decided to try something different.
“We had to throw [Reilly] O’Brien into the ruck to get some run and carry in the middle of the ground,’’ Jago said.
“He gave us a sniff in the last quarter.
“If we could have snuffed out their reply goals, then momentum is a great thing.’’
Jago said the absence of Cavka and Wright on the forward line hurt the Cannons, as did poor kicking into the 50.
“We don’t quite deliver the ball to advantage and we were a bit shallow
with entries.
‘‘We kicked to the contest instead of absolute marks.’’
Jago said Paul Ahern and O’Brien improved their draft prospects.
“Paul Ahern was good. I thought it was one of his best games for the Cannons.
‘‘He also played some really good football for Vic Metro.
“I have said all year I don’t think O’Brien has been beaten since our game in Gippsland in round six.
“It doesn’t matter what task we throw at him – centre-half-forward, centre-half-back, ruck.
“Don’t get me wrong, [Oakleigh centre-half-forward Darcy] Moore is a good footballer … [but O’Brien] broke even or won that contest.”
However, Jago said underrated defender James Latham was the clear standout for
the Cannons.
“I had him best on ground for us. He just wills himself to get to the contest.
‘‘The way he competes, he will not let his mates down.”
Jago, who hopes to coach again next season, said returning players would be back at training in six weeks.
Jago said the Cannons were hopeful that several top-age players would be drafted by AFL clubs. Lever, Wright, Cavka, O’Brien, Ahern, Touk Miller and Matthew Goodyear are among those whose names will be spoken about.
“We hope to have a pretty good draft and get six or seven drafted plus a couple of rookies.”
For more pictures of the weekend’s match, visit www.northern.starweekly.com.au.
