Masters AFL was back in Dunsborough last Friday night and it was a festival of flying feathers as the Dunsborough Ducks hosted the Margaret River Hawks at the Dunsborough Playing fields.
Storm clouds gathered above as the sunlight faded and the floodlights took control exposing two teams ready to put on an exhibition of what can be achieved as the male physique heads into decline.
The ducks had gathered pre-game in huge numbers for the clash and the quality left on the bench as the siren sounded would have sent most teams into full retreat but the hawks were ready to flap their wings and give it their best shot.
A quick goal by the visitors was a shock to all and the duck pond army which was quickly filling the boundary gasped as the ducks fell behind on the scorecards.
This goal however was just the tonic required for the ducks to engage with coach Magoo’s pre-game speech of playing with confidence started to go to work.
Exquisite tap work from Flynny and Bundy started to feed a hungry midfield of Browny, Bazza and Goose whilst Bintang and Junkyard displayed their usual dominance on the wings pumping the ball into a forward line that only rarely gets the pleasure of having the domineering figures of Moose and Rooney working in tandem.
The marks were only overshadowed by the accuracy of the goal kicking as the ducks took a commendable lead into half time.
The third quarter signalled a slight change in memento as coach Magoo found the overwhelming bench size all too much and finally lost control and a headcount was ordered.
Wilma was ordered off the field but nut not without spelling it out to coach Magoo who would be responsible for post game refreshments.
The hawks seized the chance to wrestle the game their way and for a brief moment the ducks backline led by Bubbles, Bam Bam and President Poh had to get to work.
No sooner had the ball entered the back half though it came out with ferocity.
Body armour wouldn’t have gone astray as Rosco, Poodle, Wally, Moot and Brumby delivered passes out of the backline that would have shattered lesser men’s ribcages.
Normal order was quickly restored and with the game well and truly under control Two Dogs and Rusty took it upon themselves to sacrifice their own skeletal systems to ensure that post game tucker and festivities were under control back at the clubhouse.
The final quarter saw the likes of Anyhow, Tank and Novak put the final icing on the footy cake with more displays of clanger less football and it was only Pirate and Copes kicking for goal in the dying moments that showed the gathered crowd that the ducks are mortal (and also confirm that Pirate should never leave defence).