Sport
6 May, 2025
Talbot topple Carisbrook in nail-biting clash
The game of the round between Carisbrook and Talbot turned out to be a thriller, with the Talbot Hawks defeating the Redbacks by seven points.
The Hawks got off to a flying start in the opening term, kicking five goals to one.
Jarrod Stephens was in inspiring form for the Hawks and slotted the first goal of the game just two minutes into the opening term.
Talbot livewire Zac Ciccini slotted two goals as well and finished the game with four majors. But the Hawks led at quarter time by 26 points and appeared to have the game in their early keeping.
The second term was goal for goal but the Hawks slotted three goals to the Redbacks’ two and the lead slipped out to 31 points at half time. Inaccuracy was very costly for the Redbacks with a number of easy opportunities in front of goal going begging.
The third term saw both teams playing the ball very hard, and as a result, it took 10 minutes into the quarter before the first major was scored, which came from Trent Barras with a great snap shot to give Talbot a 37 point lead.
Carisbrook’s Liam Cunningham and Tim Rinaldi answered late in the quarter to reduce the margin to 23 points at the final change.
After a brief skirmish in the time on period, it seemed an unusual decision from one of the umpires to send two Carisbrook players from the field with yellow cards, and one was changed to a red card.
This put Carisbrook at a disadvantage in a very exciting final quarter, being a man down, but it didn’t seem to affect them as they mounted a comeback to get within one point at the 21 minute mark.
They had opportunities, but numerous shots on goal were wide of the mark. At the 26 minute mark, Talbot went forward and Jude McGuire kicked long to the goal square where Stephens outpointed his opponent to mark and goal for the Hawks to win by seven points at the final siren in front of an electric home crowd.
Aaron Collicoat had a sterling battle with Jackson Bowen in the ruck, and the Hawks named him as their best player.
Others named were Stephens, Jayson Atkins, Charles Aitken, Barras and Ciccini, who, along with Stephens, slotted four goals apiece.
Carisbrook named Todd Bryant as their best player, along with Jackson Bowen, Mitch McClure, Nick Wright, Blake Matthews and Bray Bartlett. Tom Gardam was the only multiple-goal scorer with three goals.
