Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT FINAL Maroons 7 7 6 8 0 28 Falcons 7 7 0 14 3 31
Game Statistics: Maroons Falcons First Downs 16 18 Third Down Conversions 6 9 Third Downs 17 17 Third Down Percentage 35.3% 52.9% Fourth Down Conversions 0 0 Fourth Downs 0 0 Fourth Down Percentage 0.0% 0.0% Two Pt Conversions Made 1 0 Two Pt Conversions Attempted 1 0 Two Pt Conversion Percentage 100.0% 0.0% Offense Redzone Num 3 3 Offense Redzone TDs 2 3 Offense Redzone FGs 1 0 Offense Redzone Percentage 100.0% 100.0% Rushing Attempts 38 34 Rushing Yards 195 176 Rushing Average 5.1 5.2 Rushing TDs 0 1 Passing Yards 127 171 Passing Completions 12 22 Passing Attempts 27 35 Completion Percentage 44.4% 62.9% Passing Average 4.7 4.9 Passing TDs 3 3 Offensive Pass Interceptions 1 0 TOTAL OFFENSE 322 347 Defensive Pass Interceptions 0 1 Punt Return Yards 34 29 Kick Return Yards 166 127 Punts 7 7 Punt Avg 50.3 51.0 Fumbles 0 1 Fumbles Lost 0 1 Penalties 1 3 Penalty Yds 5 15 Turnovers 1 1 TIME OF POSSESSION 32:03 33:20
Match Report;
Adelaide's overtime win overshadowed by Brisbane's bigger loss ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adelaide,SA- The Adelaide Falcons have now recorded overtime wins against both competition leaders the Townsville Marlins and Brisbane Maroons. Yet there was no celebration post game as everyone was in sympathy with the Maroons who Offensive Coordinator Ross Gigg passed away the night before the game.
Gigg suffered a heart attack in his sleep and when room mate and fellow Coach John MacArthur could not wake him it was obvious that he had died. The news was quickly given to the team in a meeting hastily called at 7.30am. Head Coach Craig Barry gave any player the option of pulling out of the game but none did. The National Super League was informed and initial thoughts were to postpone the game but it was generally agreed by Brisbane that they would rather the game go ahead.
The maroons again showed how tough they were. For most of the match they were not just the equal of the Falcons but were the better team. Adelaide scored first with Mike Azar taking a toss to the right to end a 14 play opening drive. Brisbane bounced back at the end of the first when Riley Cooper turned Leigh Bodden around and broke open for Robbie Vaivai to connect with him for the score. Ben Donnolley was next on the score sheets when he caught a swing pass out of the back field but again Brisbane answered with Moses Chan-Ting scoring right before the halftime break.
Brisbane then edged ahead with two field goals in the third but Andrew Mano broke the shackles in the 4th. A 52 yard bomb hit Jamie Jenkinson down the right and he then backed that up on the next play with a 26 yard pass to Ruvell Martin for the go ahead score.
Vaivai was all class when he swung the ball out to Buddy Goodwin on a jet screen and Goodwin found enough space and speed to race away 53 yards for the score to out Brisbane back in front. Vaivai added the two point conversion but scrambling in and with just 4m37 seconds on the clock it seemed Brisbane had done enough. Especially so when the won back the ball through sturdy defence but Vaivai who had been flawless gave up an interception with just a minute and a half to go. He looked to convert a third down that would have sewn up the match by getting the ball to Tight End Mike Eisenhuth but Luke Wara out smarted him and drove back onto the ball for the pick. Mano quickly moved the ball down the field and found Zac Mauro crossing over the middle for the tying score.
In overtime Brisbane had the ball first but a big sack by Ryan Brown ended their drive. Mano again found space for his receivers and brought the team down toi the Brisbane 30 yard line. Brodie Sullivan was asked to kick a 47 yarder to win it and he answered the bell with a great kick to seal the victory.
After the game Coach Wayne Sing said his team just had thoughts for Brisbane "There are bigger things at play here than football. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brisbane boys. We also want to mention we are thinking of the Gigg family and friends. He was a wonderful man".
Injury Report; n/a
Individual Stats: Falcons PASSING CMP ATT YDS PCT YPA SACK TD INT LONG RATING Andrew Mano 22 35 193 62 5.5 3 3 0 52 106.0
RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LONG TD FUM Brynjar Dodds 18 92 5.1 25 0 0 Michael Azar 8 43 5.3 8 1 0 Ben Donnolley 3 21 7.0 21 0 1 Andrew Mano 5 20 4.0 9 0 0