Goals galore in Grand Final rematch

Nine goals in one game. 

A spectator's dream in the opening match of the 2022 Premier League season. 

It is also what is to be expected in one of the world’s best domestic competitions.

Especially when it’s a fiery grand-final rematch.

Melville’s Frank Reynolds says it sets the tone for the season ahead, the side ready to go back-to back.

“It was very satisfying getting the win against the Reds boys in round one,” he says.

“They are arguably the toughest team in the comp year in and out, so we’ve set up our season really well with this narrow win.”

Excitement, goals and a tight competition are what makes the WA Premier League such an easy watch.

But players from Saturday’s game between Melville and Reds probably wouldn’t say the same.

5-4 was the score at the final buzzer.

Reynolds says it’s how the side’s planning to play this season, after all it was what won them so many matches in last year’s season.

“[We scored] plenty of goals… unlike the grand-final - but we are still playing a similar game style which involves relentless forward pressure,” he says.

“We are hoping to continue our aggressive attacking mindset throughout the season.”

It was a closely-fought match from the first minute until the last, Reds’ stalwart and 300-plus gamer Adrian Lockley scoring after just five minutes.

Looking promising early, Reds’ combination of youth and experience put the side in good stead heading toward a win.

Reynolds described moving the ball around the Reds boys as the most tricky part for the team.

“The most challenging part of [the game] was chasing around their skillful forwards,” he says.

“You have to be sharp in defence because those blokes will and can pull the trigger from anywhere.”

But Melville showed character and weren’t giving up that easily.

The 2021 Premiers then scored in the 17th, 18th and 27th minutes… two of which through Justin McDougall.

A 3-1 lead at half-time was a great confidence booster for the in-form looking side.

Then, Reds fought back.

Seven minutes after the main break, Kookaburras Blake Govers was able to find the net through a field goal…

Which was rebutted shortly after by last year’s top goal scorer James Day – twice.

Day scored in the 51st and 53rd minutes, both from penalty corners.

At this point Melville had a fairly convincing 5-2 lead.

Govers was able to then net two PC goals quickly… bringing Reds back into contention.

It was one final goal to equalise that Reds were seeking, however were too late and fell short in the match’s dying minutes.

What’s more impressive about the win is that Melville did it without the leadership and skill of Olympians Medallist Tim Geers, the star currently away coaching the WA under-18s side.

It’s good practice for the side, the spearhead also scheduled to miss round two due to the same commitments.

While one player is out, there’s a new cohort coming through as well, including the brother of current star Ben Staines.

“The big new addition this year is Jake Staines - the better-looking twin,” Reynolds says.

“He has already showed us how silky and hardworking he is up front.

“Now Benny just passes the ball to him and they do all the work for us!”

Also amongst the Staines boys and a number of other experienced players comes youth, and developing future leaders.

“We also have some young guns filtering through the mix with Dan Moulin and Tommy Williamson who I would expect to be playing some 1s this year,” Reynolds says.

Regardless, it’s a great effort for Melville, and an expected start to the season.

Reynolds says the side is happy with the result and it puts them in the box seat to perform well throughout the rest of the year, or at least the opening matches.

“A win [in] round 1 always sets up the season nicely - especially against Reds who will be extremely hard to beat this year,” he says.

“Both teams were a little scrappy last night due to personnel changes and coming off the offseason so it was good to brush off the cobwebs and come away with a win at the same time.”

See Melville next in Premier League action on Tuesday night, for the full season fixtures, click here.