The Canberra Demons remain in contention for a maiden NEAFL finals berth this season with an important 11-point victory against Redland Bombers at Tidbold Park on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a late fightback from the Bombers – who recorded the last six scoring attempts of the match – a dominant 20 minutes either side of three-quarter time by the Demons was enough to secure the 10.13 (73) to 8.14 (62) win.
Canberra playing-coach Kade Klemke – a late withdrawal from the match with a wrist injury – praised his side’s efforts in the win, but implored his side to find the consistency to challenge as a genuine finals contender.
“It’s been an ongoing trend for us. We have one bad week and then one good week,” he said.
“I’d like it to change. We knew it was a big match, and this win now puts us on the front foot for finals.”
As showers threatened, rain withheld throughout the game, yet the track remained heavy under foot. Effective disposals came at a premium throughout the first term as both sides struggled to clear from the endless stoppages.
Redland drew first blood through Jackson Paine before Andrew Swan squared the ledger right before half-time.
Play became a less contested affair after the break, despite wayward kicking still being the dominant fixture. Five unanswered goals to the home side saw the Bombers kick away to 12-point lead at the 21-minute mark of the second, but just like the previous 30 minutes, Canberra pegged back the lead in the dying stages.
The slog meant fatigue was soon a factor. As Redland appeared to be out on their feet, the Demons kicked 2.3 in quick succession to regain full momentum of the game.
Jack Rolls produced another well-rounded performance which will undoubtedly hold him in good consideration for a NEAFL Rising Star nomination. The hard-nosed midfielder was among the home side’s best, finishing with 30 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances and eight inside 50s.
Bombers’ ruckman Craig Malone once again showed how he can flourish in the grind of wet weather football with 54 hit-outs. However, despite his dominance, the Bombers couldn’t win the midfield battle, losing the clearances 35-46.
For the Demons, Jordan Harper was again their prime mover in the midfield and benefited most from the dreary conditions. Laying a game high 14 tackles, Harper also posted 28 disposals and six inside 50s of his own.
Klemke remained quiet on a potential finals debut after the game, but conceded that consistency may be his side’s biggest downfall.
“Our side’s quiet not there to match the top sides yet. It’s a maturity thing, but something we need to get better at,” he said.
“We need to get better at stopping momentum. But I think we did do that well today.”
Next week, Canberra – sitting in equal fourth – will again test their finals pedigree as they face Sydney University, while Redland head to Fankhauser Reserve to tackle Southport in a bottom-of-the-table clash.
Redland Bombers v Canberra Demons at Tidbold Park
CANBERRA 1.4 4.5 7.9 10.13 (73)
REDLAND 1.3 5.5 6.9 8.14 (62)
GOALS – Canberra: R Stevens 3, A Swan 2, T Faul, J Turner, M Hardie, M Maguire, J Bennett. Redland: J Rayner 2, J Paine, K Walsh, S Cormick, A Christensen, S Miller, C Cameron.
BEST – Canberra: B Halse, B Fulford, R Stevens, L Meline, M Maguire, J Harper. Redland: J Rolls, B Howard, A Williams, S Mills, J Rayner.
