Geelong Rangers 2013 Champions

By Mark Humphrey

 Geelong Rangers celebrate in the sunshine.

The Geelong Rangers Sporting Complex was once again the scene of the FFV Geelong Region Division 1 Men’s Final between top team the Geelong Rangers and young hopefuls the Deakin Ducks.

The Geelong Rangers were the more fancied team to win the final having many of their players previously compete at a higher level. For the Ducks the tactic was simple, run, run, run and even run some more.

In perfect Spring weather the game kicked off in typical fashion with both teams attacking aggressively. The Rangers drew 1^st blood with a free kick taken by Troy Hardy which went high and wide.

The contest quickly turned into a game of defence with both teams holding firm in the back half. The Rangers were able to open up the Ducks defence with a well-executed cross by striker Andy Husband to Hardy. Hardy just couldn’t get a handle on the pass and the 1^st real scoring opportunity for the Rangers went begging.

Minutes later the Rangers cleared the ball from their defensive area down the centre of the ground. A bouncing ball was controlled by Rangers striker Husband who had the Ducks keeper Shaun Moloney bearing down on him. A deft little diversion on the ball by Husband had him running into an open goal where he simply tapped the ball into the back of the net to open up the Ranger’s account. With 25 gone in the 1^st half the Rangers led 1-0.

​Striker Andy Husband starts the celebration ritual after scoring the game's only goal.

Deakin bounced straight into attack on the resumption of play and were awarded a free. A quick pass to forward Colby Hart had him clear with a shot on goal that soared over the top of the net. A follow up long attempt by Jim Koldas went wide of the mark. Although both attempts missed the mark it was encouraging for the Ducks and with a bit more precision the game could quite easily have been tied up.

Meanwhile up the other end of the pitch Ranger’s striker Andy Husband was causing all sorts of headaches for the Deakin defence with his elusive footwork and ball control. It just looked like a matter of time before the Rangers would strike again. With a corner to the Rangers at the 32 minute mark Deakin looked vulnerable. Deakin were able to clear the corner kick but found themselves under pressure again with another Rangers attack. In what was a great attacking sequence by the Rangers the Ducks were up to it and able to defend every attacking move by Geelong.

Ranger’s striker Husband received a yellow although from the sidelines he looked to be fouled while attacking the ball. Deakin quickly moved the ball on and set up substitute Tom Denton with a golden opportunity to score. Denton struck the ball well and it was only an outstretched Bonifacio that deflected what looked to be Deakin’s first goal. Deakin followed up the attempt with some aggressive attacking only to see the Rangers clear the ball from the danger zone.

Deakin’s Noah Trickett was given a yellow for his tackle on Rod Vanderclays. The resultant free kick is knocked out by the Ducks for a Rangers corner. The kick in goes wide of the goal allowing Deakin to clear the area.

Half time whistle blows with the Geelong Rangers leading the Deakin Ducks 1-0.

On the resumption of play the Ducks Troy Harrison is very active in the forward half and providing plenty of run for the Ducks. A long shot by the Ducks Colby Hart is barely deflected over the top by Bonifacio. Clearly the best opportunity for the Ducks so far in the match is once again kept out by some brilliant goal keeping from Bonifacio.

Shortly after the Rangers through a perfectly placed cross by Hardy come close to scoring again with a header from striker Husband that drifts wide of the post. Husband had Ducks goalie Shaun Moloney out of position and could have quite easily had his second goal of the day. The Rangers followed up with a couple more attacking moves and goal attempts which were easily kept out by Moloney. Deakin starting to look hurried were shooting from long range on occasion with no affect. A Deakin corner is headed just wide of the post demonstrating to all spectators that the game was still very much alive. A handball by the Rangers gave the Ducks a penalty kick. The penalty kick was perfect and beat the outstretched arms of Bonifacio only to be the barest of margins wide. The attempt demonstrated that with just a touch of luck the Ducks could be right back into the match.

Rangers back on the attack see Hardy with the ball just outside the goal territory. A flick pass to Husband is just a touch strong and is easily cleaned up by Moloney. Rangers keep hustling in their forward territory and good work by Darren McCallum sets up Dale Harris in front of goal barely a metre out. His flick goes wide of the post but demonstrated that the Rangers were hungry for another goal.

With time ticking away both teams lifted their work rates with Deakin running their more experienced opponents ragged with hard running. An attempted tackle on Bonifacio held up play for a period while Bonifacio gathered himself.

With 20 minutes left in the game the Rangers once again had created scoring opportunities. First Harris had an open shot on goal that went wide followed by 2 more genuine attempts by the Rangers to score all within minutes of each other.

Some fancy ball work by the Ducks Chris De Hoog  sees him with a strong shot on goal that is deflected away by the Ranger’s defence. The resultant Ducks corner is nearly put in the net for an own goal by the Rangers defender Dave Ellis. A simple clearing pass by Ellis goes backwards and just sails over the top of the Deakin goal. Deakin follow up with several forward attacking plays by Harrison, Priest and Koldas.

Rangers counter attack and forward Troy Hardy has the Deakin defence scrambling to keep him out. A hard look away strike lands directly into the mid-section of the Ducks stationary goalie Shaun Moloney. Golden opportunity goes begging but Hardy wasn’t done with yet. A pass to Robinson from Hardy has him shooting on goal. A good save once again by Moloney demonstrates how important both goal keepers have been in the match.

Deakin has 1 last real chance with a penalty for a Rangers handball. The strike goes high over the bar and gives the Rangers control of the ball.

Ref Mal Bosnjak blows full time to signal the end of the game. The win for the Geelong Rangers caps off a good year where they finished the regular season on top and deservedly were the best team all year. For the Ducks it was a year that promised so much and delivered everything for the young chargers.

Deakin manager Colin Raj in his acceptance speech as runner up commented on how the Rangers had their measure in all 3 encounters this year. He congratulated the Rangers and thanked his young team for the never say die attitude.

Ducks coach Colin Raj

The Rangers coach and player Brian Conn praised the Ducks for their effort and the fact that they run the Rangers off their legs. Jokingly he went on to thank his committee for their youth policy saying that their youngest player was about 36. He praised his players and the club for the commitment they showed all season.

Rangers coach Brian Conn accepts the spoils.

With the conclusion of speeches the curtain came down on the FFV Geelong Winter season. For Deakin a runners-up pennant goes with the champions pennant the div 1 girls won yesterday.

No doubt the celebrations will kick on late into the evening at both venues.

Images of the days action.