I thought I might sing the praises of CAS 2 players who have not had to much said about them after yesterdays game. Waverly's capt courageous Conor Molloy and Barkers fearless prop Angus Collison. These two lads epitomise how CAS players view this annual clash against the best of the GPS schools. It was their grandfinal and they left everything on the field.
Both of these lads would have been the smallest forwards out there by some margin. Molloy would be 5'11 and maybe weigh in at 85kg, and was up against Scots Robson who had at least 15kg and a significant height advantage over Malloy. But that did not deter this lad. He was everywhere, combining brilliantly with Moretti, Pollard and Reimer who stopped the GPS lads at the tackle, Molloy was on his feet and over the ball, ensuring the GPS lads at best got slow ball which enabled the CAS defensive line to regroup.
This happened all day long. Malloy never ran out of gas and and his tenacity and commitment at the breakdown was a key reason why the CAS backs could strut their stuff. Well done Conor.
To Angus Collison who is 5'10 and maybe 88kg (90 max), he was up against last years Aust schoolboy prop in Angus Bell. Bell is huge, at 6'3 and at least 110kg this matchup at the set piece could have been ugly for CAS. But it wasnt.
CAS won their ball cleanly at the set piece, and this was due to Angus stepping up and doing his job at prop against the best in the business. He was on Bell all day, man on man defence and not once did he miss tackling his opposite number. In the lineouts, well his combination in lifting either Dring or Flaherty to accept the throw from Pollard showed why school combinations do count, and when they are mixed with courage and a fierce determination to not let his team mates down, is the real reason why CAS won this game.
GPS have 9 schools to select their 4 teams from while CAS have 6. Depth is always going to be an advantage the GPS sides have over CAS, and their ability to sub 6 quality players in the 2nd half was nearly enough to win them this game.
From CAS perspective, the lads on the field were the best of the CAS and they had to see the game out. There was no way Conor or Angus were coming off. These two lads are fit and have a big motor. But more importantly they have pride in their schools and a respect for their opponent.
It showed out clearly yesterday.
Well done guys.