The Dolphins defeated the Monarchs 24-19 in a gritty Anzac Day match. Key moments were the Dolphins scoring 10 quick points to start the game on a long drive and recovered onside kick. The Monarchs battled back to take the lead in the 2nd quarter before Robert Alford returned the kickoff for a touchdown. Ed Brent sealed the win with a late interception return for a touchdown. The Dolphins overcame injuries to quarterback Nathan Geia and offensive lineman Rusty Purcell to earn the character-building win.
The Dolphins defeated the Monarchs 24-19 in a gritty Anzac Day match. Key moments were the Dolphins scoring 10 quick points to start the game on a long drive and recovered onside kick. The Monarchs battled back to take the lead in the 2nd quarter before Robert Alford returned the kickoff for a touchdown. Ed Brent sealed the win with a late interception return for a touchdown. The Dolphins overcame injuries to quarterback Nathan Geia and offensive lineman Rusty Purcell to earn the character-building win.
The Dolphins defeated the Monarchs 24-19 in a gritty Anzac Day match. Key moments were the Dolphins scoring 10 quick points to start the game on a long drive and recovered onside kick. The Monarchs battled back to take the lead in the 2nd quarter before Robert Alford returned the kickoff for a touchdown. Ed Brent sealed the win with a late interception return for a touchdown. The Dolphins overcame injuries to quarterback Nathan Geia and offensive lineman Rusty Purcell to earn the character-building win.
Game Time: Thu May 08 18:01:34 2014 Skill Level: All Madden Quarter Length: 15 minute(s)
Slider Human CPU QB Accuracy 50 50 Pass Blocking 60 60 Receiver Catching 50 50 Running Ability 50 50 Offensive line Run Blocking 25 25 Defensive Awareness 50 60 Defensive line Knockdowns 65 60 Interceptions 20 25 Defensive Break Blocks 50 50 Tackling 35 35 Fieldgoal Length 25 25 Fieldgoal Accuracy 1 1 Punt Length 50 50 Punt Accuracy 92 92 Kickoff Length 64 64
Weather Forecast: Fair Wind: 10 mph Temp: 44 degrees Attendance: 15,871 at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT FINAL Monarchs 0 10 0 9 0 19 Dolphins 10 7 0 7 0 24
Game Statistics: Monarchs Dolphins First Downs 17 14 Third Down Conversions 7 6 Third Downs 16 15 Third Down Percentage 43.8% 40.0% Fourth Down Conversions 0 0 Fourth Downs 0 0 Fourth Down Percentage 0.0% 0.0% Two Pt Conversions Made 0 0 Two Pt Conversions Attempted 1 0 Two Pt Conversion Percentage 0.0% 0.0% Offense Redzone Num 4 1 Offense Redzone TDs 2 1 Offense Redzone FGs 2 0 Offense Redzone Percentage 100.0% 100.0% Rushing Attempts 20 25 Rushing Yards 80 48 Rushing Average 4.0 1.9 Rushing TDs 0 0 Passing Yards 233 177 Passing Completions 26 21 Passing Attempts 46 36 Completion Percentage 56.5% 58.3% Passing Average 5.1 4.9 Passing TDs 2 1 Offensive Pass Interceptions 2 1 TOTAL OFFENSE 313 225 Defensive Pass Interceptions 1 2 Punt Return Yards 17 20 Kick Return Yards 53 159 Punts 6 8 Punt Avg 46.8 43.4 Fumbles 0 0 Fumbles Lost 0 0 Penalties 10 5 Penalty Yds 55 35 Turnovers 2 1 TIME OF POSSESSION 30:23 29:37
Match Report;
Central Coast bounce back with character building win over Melbourne --------------------------------------------------------------------- Gosford,NSW- Gritty, determined and a win against all odds. That was the best way to describe the Central Coast Dolphins 24-19 win over the Melbourne Monarchs on a special Anzac Day addition of Friday Night Football. The win was gritty because the home side had to overcome the loss of Quarterback Nathan Geia and their best Offensive Linemen Rusty Purcell to first half injuries. "They showed plenty of character definitely" said Coach Tim Sheens. "It told you a lot about this team".
The Dolphins can look back to two points of the game that decided its fate. The opened up the match with a stunning 10 play drive that went for 71 yards and finished with Fullback Neenan Peates on the end of a lobbed touch pass from Geia for the score. Backing this up in typical Sheen's aggressive fashion, the Dolphins regained a shock onside kick. Luck definitely playing a big part as a poor kick from Beau Backo was fumbled by Melbourne straight back to Backo for the recovery. The Dolphins added a field goal and without even touching the ball Melbourne were down 10-0. "It is what they do. Sometimes it works for them, sometimes not. We were on the end of it tonight" said Coach Steve Ella.
Once things settled down Melbourne always looked like they would come back and get the Dolphins. Especially when Geia suffered a game ending Hip Pointer injury on the Dolphins next possession. Melbourne scored twice to even the scores up just before halftime with Quarterback Matt Ryan leading the charge and hitting comeback player Trent Rea for the 13 yard score.
But to take the wind out of their sails Robert Alford then went to work on the kick off. With not much on he cautiously brought the ball forward before a scrum formed just in front of him. Bouncing to the outside he found plenty of free room and just the kicker in front of him. He was gone and the Dolphins again stunned a lazy Monarchs team to lead 17-10 at the break.
There was no score in the third quarter as the Dolphins strong defence kept them in the game. Brent Radan recorded three sacks on Ryan as they kept up the pressure on the Quarterback and never allowed him to get comfortable. Eventually the Monarchs kicked a field goal after a long drive to get back to within 4 points but when the game seemingly was turning their way, up stepped the hard working Ed Brent who made the biggest play of all. Racing back to cover Peates he was able to do just enough to make a play on the ball and he stole the interception and then turned up field to take it back all the way for the game winner.
Melbourne did add a late consolation but the Central Coast again showed they can beat you more than one way. For Melbourne another tough loss and now the pressure is on as the season is starting to slip away.