CRIB POINT FC – By Jared Newton
CRIB Point slipped to its fourth loss in five matches after going down by 51 points to a slick Rye outfit.
Despite being in touch for much of the afternoon, Crib were unable to get ahead and after getting within 15 points midway through the 3rd quarter, Rye pulled away for a comfortable win.
The Magpies are really underdone at the moment and Saturday’s side missed eight players that were not in their grand final side who are either injured or suspended.
Despite this is was a few familiar faces leading the charge for the Magpies with Waide Symes, Dean Kairies and Dean Warry among the best for the Pies. There were only three multiple goal kickers for the Pies with Davidson, Warry, and Herrington with two apiece.
There’s no doubt the Pies are still competitive in an even competition despite being underdone, however their season is at serious risk of slipping away if they do not address some of the sloppy habits that have plagued their football in 2015.
Crib simply cannot wait for injuries to heal and suspensions to expire. The onus is on the current group to find it from within to turn it around themselves and what better way to do that with a weeks break and return game against the side that rolled the Pies in the decider in 2014 – Sorrento.
Sadly, when the seniors are underdone and a few reserves stalwarts are sitting out with injuries, the depth for the club takes a serious hit.
The reserves were highly competitive early and even took a quarter time lead over Rye with a determined start but avenues to goal were hard to find, as they could only manage two goals versus 12 after quarter time to go down by 46 points.
The ageless Glenn Barclay was a rock in defence. Neil Clark is getting better each week and if he can ignite his passion for the game could solve the seniors big man woes with his marking and back up ruck work. Cal Campbell hasn’t been beaten by an opponent this season to date either.
The reserves are in the same boat as the seniors and cannot wait for injured blokes to return and make them better. There’s a group of fringe players that have been begging for games of football and now they have their chance at an unhindered run at it. Players need to show the hunger for the contest so coach Thompson looks elsewhere to tap blokes on the shoulder.
While the senior teams have had a rough start to 2015, the under 19s have shown no such issues dispatching Rye in dominant fashion with a 137 point demolition.
Kyle Espenschied continued his purple patch of form with another great game in the middle, and Tyler Wilton lead the way up forward with five goals.
The under 19s put the game away early with a six goal to nil opening quarter and a 16 goal second half onslaught.
The scene is set for the under 19s; a huge clash with second on the table Sorrento after the bye. Should the Crib boys get up for that one, they can legitimately be labelled finals contenders for 2015.
Editors note: Playing in his 200th game for Crib Point, Jared Newton was dominant in the ruck all day in a best on ground performance, that was arguably the finest of his career.
First published in the Western Port News – 19 May 2015
