Crowd: 3,892 Referee: Greg Leverton 7/10* Game: 5/10 Players: NTB: Baker, Sprod (West), Austin, Pryce c., McManus, Wilson, Ironside, Lowe, Zane, Bennett (McGuire), Halpin (Lane) MF: Covic, M Babic, Longo, Casserly, Maloney c., Z Babic (Care) , Awaritefe, Renaud, Kim, Mendez, Zoric.
It seems strange that despite the drought and bushfires it was for the first time in three games a fine hot night welcomed the Marconi-Fairfield Stallions fresh from their win in the first round's closing game against us at Bossley Park last week. Perhaps it was also the lure of the last game of Troy Halpin for the Breakers before his long expected but nevertheless shattering move to Perth Glory that brought a decent crowd approaching 4,000. The seasons avg. is down badly to 3,707 after last years good increase. The coffers are pretty bare I believe for any new staff and we are down to 14 fit field players.
The previous week's encounter had been fairly ordinary fayre only enlivened by Clayton Zane's fine display so it was not surprising to see 2-3 Stallions players shadowing Clacka every time he got the ball. This theoretically made room for others to shine but that wasn't the case. It was a continuation of the last game with a tentative start, Marconi showing some heart during the mid first half until Sean Babic was brought down in the box and had to stretchered off *. Christian Care came on for Babic but couldn't seem to 'jell' with Francis Awaritefe who was better held this week by McManus and often had to retreat to midfield. The Breakers had a fine chance through Halpin which just bent away from the upright. The midfield battle between Halpin and Wilson with "Chi Chi" Mendez and Maloney came out pretty even, Babic did a good job shackling Zane as I said with some help, and Bennett was mostly forced wide and covered. Marconi hardly threatened and when they did Liam Baker looked much more confident except when Awaitefe got through and Ironside was on the spot to clear.
It the second half Halpo and Zane tried very hard to create something and probably The Breakers were on top on points for a long spell, despite Mendez coming more into the game and Kim doing a fine job sweeping. Covic however never had to make a real save and was very safe looking handling crosses and through balls. Despite excellent defence in depth by Marconi the Breakers had several chances when Zane, McGuire, Lane. Lowe and Pryce hurried shots which were sent harmlessly into the Rowdies. The best chance fell to McGuire who was clear on the right and received a ball from Zane who had done all the hard work of shaking his shadows, but 'Brick' shot wide.
In the end a draw was a fair result but it does nothing for the Breakers' desperate need to avoid the wooden spoon approaching the rumoured year of the fully franchised "Super League". Where do we go from here? We haven't played totally crap except against Brisbane but somehow we must win something like half the matches to get up about 10th, without Halpin. A capital injection is definitely needed.
Best for NTB: Zane, Wilson, Halpin. MF-S: M. Babic, Mendez, Renaud.
* The incident with McManus tackling Sean Babic in the box was not awarded a penalty by the otherwise good Leverton. Although he let a number of midfield fouls go to our displeasure the Rowdies always 'bag' the Ref. and this time we were fortunate as the Optus TV view showed McManus to take out Babic's ankle not the ball. The serious injury was mainly due to the way his foot twisted when he fell but it was definitely a penalty.
Good to have some Stallions fans up and the atmosphere was thus enhanced (although I believe some animosity still existed with one individual and about sign banging which is the norm at Bossley park but not Topper.)