On The Brink Of Glory
Added 20 August 2007
Saturday night's game was arguably the biggest in the Hawthorn Magic club's history. For the third consecutive season, the Magic had made it all the way to the grand final but in previous seasons had fallen short at the last hurdle. Many would argue that this season's opposition in the grand final series, the Mildura Heat would be the toughest of the previous challengers, the Southern Peninsula Sharks and the Sherbrooke Suns. The former SEABL side have been runaway winners of the minor premiership in Division One mens for season 2007. However, the Magic were well and truly up for the challenge.
A raucous crowd had packed into the Boroondara Sports Complex for what was expected to be a grand battle for the upper hand in the grand final series. The early exchanges didn't see either team take the advantage as both teams stuttered early on in offence, a clear sign of nerves in such a big game. The Magic took a 25-19 lead into the first change. It was the instant offence of an unlikely source off the bench in Peter Jordan that helped the Magic settle with 7 points. The second quarter saw the Magic start to take control of the match on the back of captain Jay Allen who poured in 15 first halfpoints. Mildura were hampered by turnovers with Glenn Watts tearing away for a couple of fast break buckets. By half time, the Magic were in control with a 48-33 scoreline.
Following the half time entertainment of the Nandos Chicken "Fingas" and the Magic Junior Development Squad, the Heat came out firing led by their stars Glen Barlow and Matt Gange. Barlow was dominant inside as Magic centre's Steve Carter and Seb Belfrage struggled to contain him on the glass and on the putbacks. Mildura had brought the margin back by 1 on the half time scoreline, but many suspected this would not be enough with the Magic crowd behind the home team.
Mildura started the final quarter with a show of intent as they piled on the points early on. At one stage during the final quarter, the Heat closed within 9 points of the Magic. Mildura's Jason Spratt was the key in this run as he made a couple big baskets. However, Barlow was unable to reproduce the offence he showed in the third quarter being stifled by Carter as the Magic weathered the storm. Also of note was the defence of Glenn Watts on Mildura playmaker Matt Gange. Watts finishing the game with 4 steals. A knockout blow by Allen late in the fourth quarter from downtown finished off the Heat in game one. The battle finishing with the Magic on top 84-70. The rocking BSC crowd joining in the chorus in a Magic victory.
For the Magic, Jay Allen lead all scorers with 25 points and was well supported by Boyd Smart with 13, Steve Carter and Matt Slaven with 10 apiece and Seb Belfrage with 9 points. Smart and Belfrage combined for 17 rebounds for the Magic. For the Heat, Glen Barlow led with 21 and a dominating 22 rebounds, Jake Zoch, Matt Gange and Jason Spratt also in double figures in the points department.
The Magic are now one win away from the much coverted title. However, they will have to take one of the potential two games in Mildura where the Heat failed to lose a game during the regular season. Game two of the series will be in Mildura this Saturday night at 7pm and if necessary, game three will be on Sunday at 2pm.
