Roy Law
Well-Known Member
Duke takes the Glory
I enjoyed this; from Phil Moss’s surprise inclusion of Brent Griffiths to Mitchell Duke’s last gasp winner this match was a roller coaster of entertainment. It wasn’t pretty, the Mariners in Perth never are, but it was three precious points.Storm Roux and Michael McGlinchey were back but it was the inclusion of Griffiths that raised the eyebrows, Marcel Seip was on the bench and Zac Anderson not included at all. Mat Simon started with Daniel McBreen on the bench. Roux was given a torrid afternoon by Perth’s lively Sidnei but the relaxed confident Griffiths took the opportunity with both hands and stood up well.
The pace of the game varied from sheer speed, mainly Perth, to sleepwalking, often the Mariners. It was end to end stuff. Like having sex on a water bed it went back and forth; each team having times when they were on top. We had sublime skills, outright thuggery, and thrilling saves and classy goals. As if the disruptions of the previous week hadn’t been enough we saw the sight of Montgomery hobbling off, it looked like a corked thigh, to be replaced by young Anthony Caceres, after just seven minutes.
Perth’s low life thug, Jacob Burns, the sweet family man celebrating his 100th game for the Glory, took exception to a strong challenge by Simon and went in boots flying, studs thigh high but to his credit Mat Simon took it all in his stride. There was no writhing on the ground, no holding of the head when kicked on the leg, no paramedics were required. The two players grinned, and got on with it. It was a refreshing return to the old days when all was good in the world of football; when defenders ‘introduced’ themselves to attackers, when footballers were real men, and ballerinas and circus tumblers hadn’t got the bottle to play. The referee saw it that way too because in today’s football Burns’ should have received a straight red.
Burns could well be in more trouble when he deliberately stood on Hutchinson’s leg; Hutch lashed out and got booked for his troubles but FFA may want to have a look at Burns’ involvement.
The Perth marquee, the Frenchman William Gallas, was the first to light it up with a superb leaping over- the-shoulder volley which fortunately went over the bar. Perth at that time were getting on top, they were much quicker than the deliberate Mariners but Gallas only lasted just over the half hour limping off with a calf injury – the soft tissue injury that so many veteran are prone to.
The Mariners were working their way into the game, playing calm football with Flores at the heart of it. They almost seized the lead but a heavily built moustachioed figure, looking very like Danny Vukovic, produced a double save to deny first McGlinchey and then the onrushing Simon. It was a trademark Vukovic moment. But it was Perth who took the lead.
The ball over the top of a square back four remains one of the game’s potent weapons and Sainsbury was left flat footed and flailing as Jameson’s ball found McLaren who calmly knocked the ball over the exposed Reddy. It was so annoying; you expect more of Sainsbury than to be beaten by a sucker punch.
Ten minutes later though the Mariners were level and Flores was the inspiration. Under heavy pressure he somehow held on to the ball and it was worked to Simon who laid it off for Duke; it didn’t quite make it but fell invitingly to McGlinchey who made no mistake.
McGlinchey was almost in again moments later but his chip over Vukovic was deflected wide by a defender. McGlinchey was now dominating the game, showing us, at last, what we can expect this season. He and Flores were a level above anything Perth had to offer in technique. Although Hutchinson had been booked in the altercation with Burns it was a foul to the Mariners and McGlinchey’s free kick had Vukovic beaten all ends up but came back off the post. Lucky Perth!
Reddy was next to step up with an amazing flying save, seeming to hang in the air, from a wicked shot from one of the Edwards brothers (which one I can’t remember). Rose then cleared at the far post from Jameson’s cross and then Duke skipped away down the right and hit a superb volley just over. He was just warming up.
Both teams had chances to score, both chased the winner, and I would have settled for a draw. Duke though, in time added on, sublimely hit home the winner and has had me smiling all weekend!
Moss made his mark as the new coach, he made the brave change of bringing in Griffiths and it worked. Griffiths did really well; for some time now he has been the forgotten defender, only making occasional appearances, brief cameos but always seemed cheerful and upbeat. He took the chance; he was good on the ball, strong in the challenge and twice got Reddy out of trouble in goal mouth scrambles. Caceres grew into the responsibility of replacing Monty, constantly encouraged by Flores he began to show his own silky skills in midfield. Duke ran all day and was always trying something different, with imaginative skills complementing his physical effort.
But when it comes to physical effort no one can quite match Mat Simon. He was everywhere: he chased and tackled; he took the knocks and gave them back; he held the ball up and brought others into the play. He clearly enjoyed the opportunity to start and he is my MoM.
