When Goulburn Valley Suns midfielder Jake Brocklebank launched into a scything, akimbo-legged tackle during the first half against Caroline Springs George Cross on Saturday, a number of notable outcomes occurred.
First, a skirmish ensued despite a clean ball connection.
Second, he was awarded a yellow card.
But thirdly, and most importantly, Brocklebank’s act awoke his teammates from a slumber and reminded them there was a game to be won – and it worked.
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Getting underway: Suns’ Russell Currie. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 8
Going direct: Suns’ Tutu Taya. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 8
The general: Suns’ Matthew Lelliott. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 8
Stepping in: Suns’ Joe Adoo-Peters. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 8
Twisting away: Suns’ Darcy Pawlik. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 8
Spin cycle: Suns’ Brandon Giaccherini. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 8
Heads up: Suns’ Greg Nash. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 8
On the case: Suns’ Darcy Pawlik gives chase. Photo by Megan FisherA goal from Brandon Giaccherini 20 minutes later proved a decisive one, the Suns exhibiting defensive resolve in the second half to come away with a 1-0 win.
“I thought it was a very resilient performance, the boys really dug in,” Suns coach Craig Carley.
“It was a very cagey first 20 minutes and for me the change in the game was when Jakey (Brocklebank) put in that big tackle.
“I think that it spurred the boys on – that application and effort was absolutely spot on from the very beginning.”
You couldn’t fault the effort from either side early on, but the game ticked along at a ho-hum pace until Brocklebank’s daring effort.
After a brief pause following the sliding challenge, the Suns grew into the game and applied waves of pressure which the Georgies began buckling under and, minutes before the break, something gave.
The Suns broke from an opposition corner with new goalkeeper Jake Angelovski pumping it high and long, the ball ping-ponging around the centre circle until Harun Aktas’ aerial pass was met by Giaccherini, who lifted it over the Georgies’ custodian and in.
Carley was radiant when speaking of the goal scorer, saying the one string missing from the youngster’s bow has now been braced.
“Brandon epitomises everything about this football club, he’s such a talent, he’s so direct and all he really needed to improve on from the last couple of seasons was goals into his game,” Carley said.
“He’s starting to deliver that now and I truly believe he’s starting to mature as a player and has the whole package to be a very successful footballer in years to come.
“He was the club player of the season last year as well, and he’s developing into a really key player for us in the way we like to play this season going forward.”
The second half took spoonfuls of grit from the Suns’ backline to withhold the Georgies.
Angelovski grew into the game with some important saves, but the men in front of him were especially important in helping the home side secure its second clean sheet of the season.
“Joe (Adoo-Peters) has been absolutely excellent from the first game … Tutu Taya has come into that starting team as well now and has put in some exceptional performances – again, another young talent from the region,” Carley said.
“Then you have a bit of experience which brings the combined age to about 100 with ‘Kiwi’ (Greg Nash) and ‘Ads’ (Adam Gatcum) on the other side.
“There’s a real good balance there at the moment.”
A busy week of football continues on Tuesday night, when the Suns head to BT Connor Reserve to take on State League Two outfit Lalor United Senior in the Australia Cup.