I generally watch TW play when I am in Welly (mostly) or, when I am working from Auckland (as I was this week, either City or Waitak - so it was with some fascination I went in the wet to Kiwitea St to watch these young Otago boys my Dunedin mates had told me about. And what a nice side they are. Granted City looked tired from their World Club Championship endeavours and so many of their good players struggled a bit today � but it was due in large part to the intensity, skill and will of the Southern men in my humble opinion. Otago could have won, should have drawn, and might have lost 3-2 if the Football Gods had smiled their way � they did not. So it was 3-0 to their bad with two late goals (after 90 minutes) for City. I have say Evans is a very good keeper, Connor (particularly) and Ferguson are good full backs � Connor kept Hogg quiet and even made a monkey of him a few times. Prattley and the young centre back Lockhart were organised at the back and only stressed as they tired very late. If (from what I read on this forum) the missing Matt Joy is the heart of the Otago defence then Prattley is the brains, Connor is the balls and Ferguson is the guts. Young Lockart is one to watch (as is Stevens who came on late as a sub). In midfield Day has some engine, Cunningham is�well very cunning and has great vision � as good as anything City have. Rodeka was also clever � so many times the Otago midfield made a mockery of City with their intuition and movement. Out wide Coldicott looked like a brooding beast; when he got the ball he was pacey and direct � it�s a pity he wasn�t more involved. Up front Overton was dynamic and skilful � I read here he is leaving and he will be a big loss . But my favourite was Hancock. He is a midget, but somehow he made a mess of Vicelich in the air; his tricks and flicks were sublime and he laid on several chances that should have been converted. Coach Murray should be congratulated. The skill and style of play of the Otago players was heart-warming. It was an open and entertaining game with little malice. I enjoyed myself greatly even in the Auckland summer drizzle. At the end the City supporters sang, �Can we play you every week?� What nobs, I thought - crass idiots and so insulting to their brilliant visitors. But on reflection, perhaps it was a compliment. They wish they had a side with the skill and guts and guile of Otago to play against each week � to better themselves. Otago made the World Club Championship team look mortal, nay even (at times) feeble and limp.Toffeeman662011-12-18 21:00:38
Current version
Posted December 18, 2011 07:52 · last edited March 18, 2021 07:42
I generally watch TW play when I am in Welly (mostly) or, when I am working from Auckland (as I was this week, either City or Waitak - so it was with some fascination I went in the wet to Kiwitea St to watch these young Otago boys my Dunedin mates had told me about. And what a nice side they are. Granted City looked tired from their World Club Championship endeavours and so many of their good players struggled a bit today � but it was due in large part to the intensity, skill and will of the Southern men in my humble opinion. Otago could have won, should have drawn, and might have lost 3-2 if the Football Gods had smiled their way � they did not. So it was 3-0 to their bad with two late goals (after 90 minutes) for City. I have say Evans is a very good keeper, Connor (particularly) and Ferguson are good full backs � Connor kept Hogg quiet and even made a monkey of him a few times. Prattley and the young centre back Lockhart were organised at the back and only stressed as they tired very late. If (from what I read on this forum) the missing Matt Joy is the heart of the Otago defence then Prattley is the brains, Connor is the balls and Ferguson is the guts. Young Lockart is one to watch (as is Stevens who came on late as a sub). In midfield Day has some engine, Cunningham is�well very cunning and has great vision � as good as anything City have. Rodeka was also clever � so many times the Otago midfield made a mockery of City with their intuition and movement. Out wide Coldicott looked like a brooding beast; when he got the ball he was pacey and direct � it�s a pity he wasn�t more involved. Up front Overton was dynamic and skilful � I read here he is leaving and he will be a big loss . But my favourite was Hancock. He is a midget, but somehow he made a mess of Vicelich in the air; his tricks and flicks were sublime and he laid on several chances that should have been converted. Coach Murray should be congratulated. The skill and style of play of the Otago players was heart-warming. It was an open and entertaining game with little malice. I enjoyed myself greatly even in the Auckland summer drizzle. At the end the City supporters sang, �Can we play you every week?� What nobs, I thought - crass idiots and so insulting to their brilliant visitors. But on reflection, perhaps it was a compliment. They wish they had a side with the skill and guts and guile of Otago to play against each week � to better themselves. Otago made the World Club Championship team look mortal, nay even (at times) feeble and limp.Toffeeman662011-12-18 21:00:38