Match Reports by local journo Brendan Shakes.................

By Brendan Shakes - Updated 6.9.09

Imperials have pulled the rabbit out of the hat to proceed straight through to the Grand Final with an 11 point win over Mannum. Both teams were treated to perfected conditions at Jervois, with Imperials electing to kick towards the pine tree end. So many times this year Imperials have jumped out of the blocks and put the game out of reach at quarter time but this time, Mannum gave the Blues a taste of their own medicine.

From the opening minutes nothing could stop Mannum going all out on attack as Imperials were forced onto the back foot. The intensity from Mannum helped them kick the first seven goals of the game with Levi Krause and Danny Walker each booting two goals. It looked to be a long day for Imperials after Matthew Seyers missed a certain goal in the goalsquare but eventually got on the board with late goals to Henry Hodge and Chad Wingard. Imperials looked to have stopped the momentum of Mannum but a superb goal from Clive Waterhouse gave his side a six goal lead at quarter time.

Imperials had rarely been in this situation at all for the entire season and they struggled with the new challenge. Mannum were able to stem the impact of Imperials forwards with their defence standing up when it mattered. Imperials were able to get back to back goals through Wingard and Jamie Honnor but when Mannum’s Todd Boughen broke through a tackle to run into a goal, their hard work had been wasted. The Blues day seemed to hit its lowest point late in the second term when Luke Harrowfield was yellow carded and as the siren blew for half time, Mannum was leading by 29 points.

Mannum was desperately trying to maintain the dominance of their first quarter but could not contain the star studded midfield of Imperials. Three goals in three minutes saw Imperials immediately get themselves back into the game with the foundations set by Ash Temby, Daniel Girdham and Hodge. Again their hard work to get back in the game was overshadowed by three unanswered goals by Mannum, with two of these from Ben Quinn. Quinn had been influential all day his second goal, coming straight from the centre bounce, looked to put Imperials on the chopping block. The pressure was hitting both sides as Mannum struggled to find avenues to goal whilst Imperials failed to lower their eyes when entering the fifty, making it easy pickings for the Roos defence. Waterhouse’s third goal in time on of the third term gave his side a 28 point buffer and big chance of having the next week off.

With both teams desperate for the path straight through to the Grand Final, the intensity of the final term grew. Two goals early to Imperials gave them a sniff of an outside victory but when Zac Bullard booted his first and then Waterhouse adding another two, it looked to be out of reach, as the lead blew back out to five goals with only half a quarter remaining. Nevertheless Imperials kept on persisting with goals to Shaun O’Brien and Tom Hines reducing the margin. Two goals in succession from free kicks again closed the margin but with the game in time on, it seemed like it would too late for Imperials. Even so Imperials were inspired and when Girdham snapped for his first Imperials had captured the lead, the first time in the match and now the pressure was back on Mannum. The final quarter was not without controversy as play was allowed to go on whilst an Imperials player was being helped off the field with the blood rule. The resulting goal gave Imperials the handy lead they needed and shattered Mannum’s chance of coming back. As the siren blew, emotions were mixed as Mannum let a big chance slip whilst Imperials got away with daylight robbery.

Imperials will now wait for next week’s match between Mannum and Ramblers to see who they go up against in the Grand Final.

By Brendan Shakes Updated 9.8.09

Imperials have flogged cross-town rivals Ramblers by 190 points in what was one of the most embarrassing performances by a reigning premier in recent memory.

In 2001, Imperials defeated Redlegs by 204 points and seven years to the round, Imperials have repeated history, annihilating their Murray Bridge rivals.

Imperials simply did whatever they wanted as the game fast became a training drill as even without Clint Girardi and Daniel Zadow missing, Ramblers could not admit that both players were worth thirty goals. For Ramblers, one of their only victories for the day was the toss, with the visitors electing to kick with a slight breeze to the golf course end. 

The game began with a fast frenetic start with both rivals trying to sort each other out. A noticeable match up was Imperials Tyson Wait standing on Adam Jackson in defence and even with a height difference, Wait was able to prove his class and skill and shut down Jackson. Imperials Shaun O’Brien was proving a likely sort up forward as his forward pressure resulted in two early goals for himself. The Kenny brothers found plenty of the ball early on, assisting in each other gaining countless possessions. Centre clearances were going Imperials way as they piled on five goals in seven minutes to put an early stamp on the game. From defence, Imperials ran in waves, linking up in the midfield and then delivering to forwards such as O’Brien and Luke Harrowfield. Harrowfield was also playing well early and his third goal of the quarter gave his side a nine goal lead at the first break.

After being kept goalless for the opening term, it did not take long for Ramblers to finally register their first major through Jackson. From then on, Imperials went on to boot thirteen unanswered goals as the game immediately became a one-sided affair. Imperials midfielders continually found space as Ramblers failed to pick up their opponents and looked sluggish in their pressure and chase.

When Harrowfield had booted his fifth, the margin had already hit three figures and by half time, O’Brien had booted along with Josh Lewis-Burns and Ash Temby who each had three goals. With the margin out to twenty goals at half time, Ramblers would have looked to gain something out of the second half but signs did not look good with their warm up after half time looking lethargic.

The third term saw Imperials again dominate play and if not for their inaccuracy in front of goals, the margin could have been even more. Imperials started where they left off as Tom Hines snapped his first within 20 seconds of the centre bounce. All over the ground, Imperials had winners with Wait and Puckridge patrolling down back and Harrowfield and his sidekicks up forward. Harrowfield had seven up until three-quarter time and by then the margin had blown out to 154 points. Imperials made it a superb four quarter effort as they slammed on another seven goals to push the margin towards 200 points. Ramblers were able to prevent that with two goals of their own but this loss will hurt for weeks to come.

For Imperials, most of their players contributed to the slaughtering but their standouts were Luke Harrowfield, who finished with ten goals and Boyd and Zeb Kenny who racked up possession after possession throughout the match.

Imperials have continued their stellar form at home with a comfortable 74-point win over Tailem Bend. In what has been a continuing occurrence for the Blues was their fast start out of the blocks before sitting on that margin for the majority of the match.

After quarter time, Tailem were only outscored by five goals and still showed the competition front runners that they are not easy beats. Imperials began the game kicking to the cemetery end and sent Tailem to the graveyard with a nine goal opening quarter. In-form Tyson Wait kicked his team’s first in the first two minutes with the goal umpire not having to move. Imperials pressure at the ball carrier was impressive as their regular runners, Henry Hodge and Wait, were given every opportunity to send their side forward. Roger Puckridge and Ryan Eyre broke off their opponents regularly to be the spare player down back and this ploy worked for most of the game. Six goals in fifteen minutes from Imperials including two from Boyd Kenny gave their side a 47-point lead at quarter time.

When Tailem Bend began to trouble the scorers, the game became a shootout with both defences leaking like a sieve. Coming off nine goals last week against Mannum, Tailem’s Laurie Rankine found the task harder this week but was able to grab an early goal in the second term.

Imperials young forwards, Shaun O’Brien and Chad Wingard, were able to reward their teams efforts from further up the field with both booting majors. The Blues also welcomed back Matt Seyers and he came back without missing a beat, booting four goals to half time. Tailem had been chasing jumpers for most of the match but their persistence saw them respond with three late goals to reduce the margin to nine goals at the main break.

With the game at a reach for Tailem Bend, Imperials began to change up the match ups with their key midfielders getting extended breaks in the forward line.Tailem were able to again match Imperials on the scoreboard with both sides kicking four goals a piece for the quarter.

Even so, Imperials looked to be preparing for the final game in Mannum whilst Tailem were still trying to cement their spot in the five. Daniel Gregory’s late snap was able to cut the margin back to nine goals but all their hard work had accounted for nothing as their early start had cost them any chance of victory.

The final quarter saw Imperials rest players for next week’s big clash against Ramblers with Seyers spending most of the term on the bench. Jamie Honnor, who had been influential down back, was given a go up forward in what was another experiment that Imperials coach Tony Fielke had trialed earlier in the year. Imperial had a wide range of options in their forward line with Kenny slotting another two and Wingard bobbing up for his fourth for the game.

Everyone was getting in the action as by the final siren, Imperials had 12 goal kickers with half of them scoring multiples.

Best for Imperials was their switchman Honnor, who proved his worth both in defence and attack. Big men Ryan Edwards and Seyers also had influential games at both ends of the ground with Seyers booting five goals.

Tailem’s best were Damien Raidis and Daniel Gregory with Captain Brad Bell ending up with four goals.

For Tailem Bend, the heavy defeat will impact on their percentage and with Meningie getting up against Jervois, their spot in the top five is under serious threat.

By Brendan Shakes - Updated 19.7.09

With the return of five senior players, Imperials fast start proved to be the difference with a 47 point victory over Meningie. Imperials ran out to an early seven goal lead after the first term but from then on, Meningie were able to stick with the flag favourites. Meningie, who was riding on a two game winning streak including a big win over Mannum, began the game awfully and their slow start made their challenge even harder.

Before the match, Imperials lost Matthew Kowald to a finger injury but welcomed back Ryan Edwards, Ryan Eyre, Henry Hodge, Luke Harrowfield and Tyson Wait. Hodge began the game well early and hurt the Bears with a long range goal after being left alone in the corridor.

Imperials backline continued their good form with their rebound proving to play a big role in the game. The game was being played on Imperials terms and their star studded midfield continued to find plenty of the ball. Three late goals in the quarter to Luke Harrowfield, Zeb Kenny and Chad Wingard gave Imperials a commanding seven goal lead at quarter time.

Meningie began the second term well with Josh Robinson finally getting his team their first goal of the game. Wait has been a star all season and continued in his rich vein of form at both ends of the field. His strong, contested marks were a feature down in defence and up forward; he was able to show his class in kicking his first goal. Meningie were holding strong and making a contest of it and Chris Lawson was able to boot two goals in succession to give his side some hope. Both teams were wasteful in front of goal and Josh Robinson’s simple snap shot which sailed through for a point, summed up his teams first half efforts. Meningie were trailing by 36 points and never stop battling but their midfield depth was not as strong as Imperials and their skills with the football proved to be the difference.

Imperials began the third quarter in similar fashion to the first with back to back goals and when Shaun O’Brien snapped on his left for his second, Imperials looked to be running away with the game. Imperials had lifted their intensity after the main break as their pressure on their opponents had become fiercer. A long range effort from Jamie Honnor put the margin beyond ten goals and the game out of Meningie’s reach.

With the game over, Imperials took their foot off the pedal and Meningie were able to add some respectability to the scoreboard, outscoring Imperials five goals to two. Imperials booted two goals in two minutes but from then on, Meningie showed that they are a team on the rise and could cause headaches leading up to the finals. Meningie were able to string together all five of their final term goals and will head back down the Coorong knowing, they were not completely outclassed.

Best for Imperials was Wait, Jason Puatti, Hodge and Eyre down back whilst best for Meningie was Rodney Cunneen, Dean Rossi, Chris O’Hara and Chad Thorpe.

The next month will decide Meningie’s fate with games against Tailem Bend and Jervois going to decide who will be playing finals football.

For Imperials, the victory was another convincing display as Johnstone Park is beginning to become a fortress for the Blues, with their average winning margin more than 64 points.

By Brendan Shakes - Updated 5.7.09

Imperials depth was tested once again and even with a mounting injury list, still came out on top with a 71 point victory over Tailem Bend. Coming off back to back losses, a win was crucial for Imperials with Ramblers and Mannum breathing down their neck at the top of the ladder. With Ryan Eyre and Tyson Wait playing representative football, Imperials were primed for the picking but Tailem missed their opportunity from the opening bounce.

A seven goal to two opening term put the game on ice early as Imperials kept up their regular ‘fast starts’. Luke Harrowfield did what he liked as he roamed around the midfield and up forward and was the catalyst to a couple of Imperials early goals. Imperials have unearthed some young talent this year with Shaun O’Brien, Matthew Kowald, Sam Mobbs and Jordan Hollitt and with Ryan Edwards, Ryan Eyre and Ben Quast cementing their spots in the side; Imperials have created a successful pathway of developing their juniors. O’Brien had a fantastic opening term and his strong leading and hunger for the ball rewarded him with three first quarter goals. The skills of Imperials were far superior to Tailem Bend as the Eagles could not utilize the dominance of ruckman Patrick Gabb. After five unanswered goals to Imperials, Tailem’s Darren Buckingham was able to stop the rot momentarily but a late response by Matthew Gogel gave his side a 33 point lead at quarter time.

With the small breeze at their back, Tailem Bend’s Dylan Hogarth tried to fire up his team and it seemed to work as his side won the quarter on the scoreboard. The Eagles could have put more pressure on Imperials if it were not for the inaccurate goal kicking. A mistake in defence from Imperials gave former blue Michael Sumner his first for the match. The margin should have been less than the 23 points it was at half time but Imperials held strong with Jamie Honnor holding down the fort.

After half time, Tailem simply did not leave the change rooms as they failed to score a goal and effectively kill of the match. O’Brien again was in the action bobbing up for an early goal and Kowald, who had two goals at the main break, broke away from his opponent bringing his tally up to five by the end of the term. Imperials Ben Quast, who had struggled in the first half was sent back to his customary position in defence and immediately made an impact with his rebound. With the deficit beyond ten goals, the final quarter saw Tailem put up a resistance and make sure the margin did not blow out.

Dylan Hogarth who had run all day was able to creep forward to put through his third goal fro the match but his efforts were matched Daniel Girdham. Girdham who had been a standout for the whole match fed off his teammates to run from the wing to within 30 metres to kick through his second. Ash Temby was able to drift forward as well and two goals into time on brought his tally to three for the match.

Imperials midfield ran over the top of Tailem as Girdham and the Kenny brothers found plenty of the ball and were named in the best players.

For Tailem Bend, they were able to match it with Imperials for two quarters but simply did not have enough contributors on the park. Brad Bell, Damien Raidis and Christian Aspel were all named in the best with Dylan Hogarth and Patrick Gabb teaming up well on countless occasions to also be named in the better players.

By Brendan Shakes - Updated 3.5.09

Not even former AFL player Clive Waterhouse could save Mannum from a miserable 71 point defeat at the hands of Imperials.

A superb ten goals in the second quarter proved to kill off Mannum and the win keeps Imperials on top of the ladder.
With perfect conditions at Johnstone Park, the visitors got off to a steady start with Jarrod Woodward snapping the first goal of the match.

Mannum’s skills were up early as their counterparts were wasteful in front of goal, missing numerous chances to build a margin.

Imperials red-hot midfielders kept up their form as Tyson Wait and Daniel Girdham racked up plenty of early touches.

Two late goals, including one on the siren by Jamie Honnor, gave Imperials a four point lead at the first change.

The second term saw a three pronged attack of Matthew Seyers, Luke Harrowfield and Honnor rip the game out of Mannum’s hands.

All three booted three goals for the quarter as Mannum had no answers to Imperials attacking power.

At the other end, Waterhouse was having a day he would rather forget as Imperials Ryan Eyre made the former Fremantle Docker look ordinary on a number of occasions.

Eyre had many helpers down back with Waterhouse but as soon as the ball hit the ground, Eyre’s showed his form from last year with his pace and rebound out of defence.

Mannum continually left the corridor open as Imperials Henry Hodge and Girdham took full advantage of the lapse, frequently being fed the ball when coming out of defence and having the time and space to find their best option up front.

The second quarter proved to be the difference as Imperials could only extend their lead by 11 points for the rest of the game.

Waterhouse kicked his first and only goal of the game midway through the third term but Zac Bullard was proving more of a handful than Waterhouse as he chimed in with two brilliant goals.

The only highlight in the final term was a superb goal from Wait who dodged two players before capping off a good game for his side.

Imperials had winners all over the park with their blue-collar midfielders of Girdham, Hodge and Wait all playing well with the only downside being an injury to Roger Puckridge.

Their forwards all stood up with Harrowfield ending up with eight goals, Honner with six and Seyers with five.

Mannum did have an upside with youngster Bullard as well as  Brad Wakefield and Andrew Smithson contributing well.

By Brendan Shakes ~ Updated 26.4.09'

Imperials have now won three out of three after demolishing reigning premiers Ramblers by 70 points. Celebrating former captain Dion Newell’s 150^th game, Imperials twelve-goal second half saw off Ramblers and hand over the Cawte/Norrish Cup.  Kicking with a strong wind towards the cemetery end, Imperials began the game well as forward Matthew Seyers booted all three goals for the term. Ramblers simply had no drive from the middle and when opportunities arose, their finishing let them down. Roger Puckridge was the spare man down back for Imperials and for the first half, continually used his class and polish to rebound the football out of the back line.

After being held goalless after quarter time, Ramblers Clint Girardi went about cutting the margin with two important goals but the smooth moving Imperials were treating the game as if it was a dry day. With blustery conditions and rain patches throughout the match, Imperials ball skills, especially their marking, proved to be one of the many differences between the sides.

At half time, Imperials lead has increased slightly to 20 points but a six-goal third term put Ramblers on the chopping block. The Blues pressure was immense as Ramblers struggled to clear the ball out of their defensive area. Sam Redden was a livewire out of the goal square with two early goals in the term and the Harrowfield brothers, Blake and Luke, contributed with late goals to give the home side a 37 point lead with a quarter remaining. Any chance of a Ramblers revival were quickly snuffed out as the Harrowfield brothers again chipped in with a goal a piece as Imperials booted another six goals into the breeze.

The final quarter skills from Ramblers were disappointing as they again failed to register a goal, the second time in the game. Imperials defence was fantastic as Ben Quast continued his rich vein of form and Jason Puatti’s found some form on the half back line. The way Imperials ran over Ramblers in the second half would leave them feeling confident heading into next weeks blockbuster against Mannum.

By Brendan Shakes - Updated 6.4.2009

With new recruits, new expectations and new guernsey’s, Imperials kicked off the season with a 80 point win over Jervois at Johnstone Park. After quarter time, Jervois were comprehensively beaten around the ground as the Imperials midfielders ran amok, giving their forwards plenty of opportunities. With the return of Matthew Seyers to line up along side newly appointed captain Luke Harrowfield and their latest recruit Jamie Honner, Jervois were going to be stretched down back. The three prong attack ended up with 13 of their sides’ goals with Honner booting eight in his first competitive match with Imperials.

Jervois began the game with the breeze at their back but were on the back foot early on as Seyers and Honner opened up a two goal lead before responding with two of their own from youngster Matt Cheso and Sam Braidwood. The difference between both side’s engine room proved to be the main difference as Imperials Daniel Girdham, Henry Hodge and Tyson Wait did as they pleased, continually finding space and time. As Imperials began to increase their margin, undisciplined actions crept in Jervois’ game with Cheso and Brad Schmidt receiving yellow cards before half time.

After half time, Imperials came out with a seven-goal third term with Braidwood providing any resistance with three goals of his own. Honner’s showed good signs for the home crowd with his commitment and toughness towards the ball as well as his work around goal. A third yellow card Jervois player-coach Sam Mahony compounded the misery for the visitors and Puatti’s resulting goal gave Imperials an insurmountable lead heading into the final quarter.

The final term saw another Imperial seven goal quarter which included a blitz of five goals in ten minutes with the second half of the term turning into junk time.

Best for Imperials was Girdham, Hodge and Honner whilst Jervois’ Braidwood ended up with five goals and youngster Trent Gazzola and Wade Hutchinson providing good contributions.