Sport
4 September, 2023
Natte Bealiba defeats Navarre in feisty finals atmosphere
NATTE BEALIBA 10.10 (70) def NAVARRE 6.10 (46) Natte Bealiba took their first victory in five attempts against Navarre in Saturday’s semi-final in a game which had a penchant for the dramatic. It was a game of momentum throughout, with both teams...
NATTE BEALIBA 10.10 (70) def NAVARRE 6.10 (46)
Natte Bealiba took their first victory in five attempts against Navarre in Saturday’s semi-final in a game which had a penchant for the dramatic.
It was a game of momentum throughout, with both teams enjoying solid patches of football, but in the end, the Swans proved to be a little bit cleaner when they had the run of play, and consigned the Hoppers to a second-consecutive semi final loss by 24 points.
The Hoppers had the better start to the game, but were only able to convert one of their first five opportunities at goal.
The Swans, on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities when it was afforded to them, kicking three goals straight in the first term, to take a narrow lead into the first break.
The second quarter saw the game start to open up, and there was a bit of a reversal in roles.
After the Swans’ accurate start to the game, they were unable to make their chances count in the second term, scoring just one goal from seven shots.
Meantime, the Hoppers didn’t have as much play in the front half of the ground, converting just one goal from three shots.
The game, however, took a twist just on half time, when a heavy collision left Thomas Watts motionless on the turf, with tempers flaring between both teams.
Billy Driscoll kicked the resultant goal from point blank range to level the scores at half time, but the feel of the game shifted almost immediately.
The third quarter was a tough one for the umpires to contain, with spotfires breaking out as both teams stepped it up a notch in their quest to keep the season alive.
However, it was Natte who proved to be a little better when the ball was in their hands, repelling all of Navarre’s advances inside 50 to start the term, and finished with three consecutive goals to take a game-high 17 point cushion going into the final change.
The last quarter was effectively goal-for-goal, despite Navarre’s best attempts to keep their season alive. But Natte just had too much firepower up forward for the Hoppers defenders to contain, and a clash with Carisbrook is the reward for the Swans.
Zac Mortlock put in a commanding performance, as did brother Jye, while Austin McKenzie was another good performer. Aaron Hayes, Callum Harte and Jayden Templeton were also named in the best, with playing-coach Trent Mortlock leading the way with three goals.
For Navarre, Louis Hannett was best, while Daniel Reading, Shannon Treloar, Josh Fowkes, Wil Clough and Tom Hannett were also named in the best as they did everything they could to keep their season alive.
Trent said it was brilliant to get a win over their long-time rivals, given how much was at stake.
“It’s a great win. It summed up a clash between Natte and Navarre, plenty of hard work, and they were always going to come at us while we were in front. We were resilient, and I was proud of that,” he said.
“We love taking it all in our stride — that’s Natte as a club. Having a first finals win as a coach was great. I was a bit nervous before the game, I don’t normally get nervous, but sometimes that’s the result of playing Navarre in a final given our rivalry.
“Navarre are a class side and I look up to them, especially considering what they have done for a long time, and they still have the top-end talent. We know when we play them, we have to stop them. They won’t roll over.”
Trent noted how important it was to stop Navarre’s waves of momentum, and having done so in the opening stages of both the first and third quarter was crucial to their win.
“They started the game really well, but we were able to hold up defensively. It was important not to waste our opportunities,” he said.
“Navarre came out and had us to start the third quarter, but we held it up and slowed the footy down and got the momentum back.
“When we got it inside 50, we were able to convert, and it hurt them given they attacked so much. It was a big momentum builder for us.”
Natte’s forward line was at its most potent for weeks given the inclusion of Will Holt after injury, and Trent says he was able to give the Swans forwards some more leeway.
“We were able to stretch them up forward with Holt’s inclusion, and he straightens us up a lot, given he takes one of the better defenders. He played deep and even if he didn’t hit the scoreboard as he would have liked, it was a flow-on effect for the rest of the forward line,” he said.
Trent was complimentary of brother Jye’s performances throughout the season, stating his worth as a key cog for the Swans.
“Jye has been fantastic this year. He’s hard to stop and he creates so much through half-forward and through the midfield,” he said.
The Swans will now take on Carisbrook in the preliminary final, with the club determined to turn around their 15-point loss to the Redbacks in round eight.
Trent says the Swans will be keen to implement some changes between that game and Sunday’s clash.
“Carisbrook and Navarre are in the same category, they’re fantastic clubs. The Redbacks have picked up a few in the back end of the year, as have we,” he said.
“Those guys, and Harcourt, are probably the two teams to beat. We would love to improve and tweak a few things. We did play some good footy against them earlier in the year.
“Luke Treacy and Dean Chester lead them well, and they have good players at all ends. It will be a tough ask. These are games we live for, and we will leave it all on the line.”
