Ghosts lose focus close to finals

Khan Williams and Daniel Lollback lead the way for the Ghosts against Marist Brothers.

Deborah Novak

THE Grafton Ghosts put the cleaners through Marist Brothers yesterday at Frank McGuren Field, all but ending the Brethren’s finals campaign.

A healthy crowd was on hand to witness the home side dismantle Marist 36-16 in blustery conditions and keep their unbeaten record in- tact.

However, the win was far from pretty with the Ghosts turning in arguably their worst performance of the season.

The home side were guilty of pushing passes when under pressure which resulted in far too many turnovers. And the visitors were not much better with unforced errors harming any chance of an unlikely victory.

It was an uncharacteristic performance from the competition leaders who lost their composure in the second half and continually questioned the referee’s decisions.

Ghosts coach Col Speed put the poor performance down to a couple of things including Anthony Don’s attempt at breaking the NRRRL try-scoring record.

“We learnt a couple things today,” Speed said.

“I think we focused too much on the big picture today and not on the game at hand. We also focused on the try-scoring feats of Anthony Don,” Speed said.

“Players were trying hard to get the ball into his hands far too often. The guys are a bit dirty on themselves after the game.

“We need to take small steps to get there. We’ve achieved a lot this season and done very well but there is still a long way to go.

“It would have been a rude shock if we came up against Northern (United) and played like that.”

Marist started the game in a positive fashion with some well executed second-phase play but it was the Ghosts who drew first blood with centre Ben McLennan barging over in the corner.

Marist’s tactics of slowing down the play the ball did little to stop the flow of points from the Ghosts in the first half with further tries to Liam Bland (two), Don and Mitchell Wicks giving the Ghosts a comfortable 26-6 lead at the break.

The second half deteriorated into a drop-a-thon with both sides showing little respect for the ball.

Marist continued to apply the blow torch to the Ghosts right-side defence and came up with a couple of consolation tries but when Don exploded onto a pass out wide it was game over.

One highlight for the visitors was a superb individual try to second-rower Leon King who beat five defenders before placing the ball next to the uprights.

Marist Brothers coach David Krause will be hoping his side can get back to the winners’ circle next week against Casino to give his side a slim chance of sneaking into the five.

“We should beat Casino next week and you would think the Ghosts will beat the Rhinos,” he said.

“It could come down to for and against so it will be interesting.”

Krause put the loss against the Ghosts down to a 15-minute period either side of the break.

“The Ghosts scored three tries in a period just before and after half time which proved the difference,” he said. “The Ghosts are a quality side but I thought we were on the wrong end of a couple of decisions.”

There were more worrying signs for the Ghosts with Centre Ben McLennan carried off the field with an ankle injury half-way through the second half.

“Ben has some bruising to his shin so we’ll assess it after he ices it,” Speed said.

“But I’m pretty sure Aaron Hartmann will be back along with Grant Stevens to play the Rhinos next week.”