Nathan Morris almost gave the Bears a dream start after only 8 minutes when he shoved Robbie Turnbull out of the way to smash his volley toward the Phoenix goal but the shot never dipped in time and it narrowly flew over the bar.
Mick Ryan 4 mins later made a great run before playing an even better ball to the feet of Jamie Subat for a 1 on 1 with the Phoenix keeper. The Keeper spread himself well and caught Subat's attempt between his legs while diving to pull off the save.
The Phoenix keeper has in past games been a thorn in the side of the Bears and this game looked to be no different when he again made a fantastic reflex save to deny Bears Captain Chris Cousins. Cousins rose above the defence and got his head to a Nathan Morris free kick only to see the keeper somehow get a touch in the 13th minute.
Nathan Morris was again the provider when he picked out Jamie Subat after 31 mins. Subat shrugged off his defender well but lacked the control in his header and it looped just over the bar.
Phoenix had to wait till the 33rd min to have a shot at Bears keeper Tim Pratt and even then they failed to test Pratt as the shot was wide of the target.
Mick Ryan was again playing provider instead of poacher only a minute later when he made a great defence drawing run before playing a Mick Holt on for a 1 on 1 with the Phoenix keeper, but once again the keeper was up to the challenge as Holt's shot was well saved and another chance went begging.
Phoenix certainly got their money out of their keeper in this game as he once again denied the Bears a fantastic chance before the sides went to the break at 0-0.
It was hoped by the many Bears supporters that the first half dominance would lead to 2nd half goals but they started to get the feeling that it wasn't to be when a great chance was missed in the 57th minute. The chance came from some great vision from Mick Ryan who took a quick shy and threw the ball to Robbie Turnbull. Turnbull took the ball to the line and picked out Jamie Subat. Subat, with an open goal to shoot at hit his shot straight at the keeper who was stranded in no mans land on the post.
Jamie Subat 3 mins later almost made amends for his earlier misses when he created a chance out of nothing and smacked a rocket of a snap volley that flew out over the bar.
The Bears were dominating the game and Phoenix's desperation was on show and they were lucky to keep 11 on the park when Phoenix defender Keegan Wolfenden only received a yellow card after he took Mick Ryan out from behind with a studs up tackle. Ryan attempted to continue but the injury he sustained from the early Wolfenden challenge got the better of him and Coach Boogaard was forced to replace him with the Bears super sub Rhys Tippett.
Defender Tyson Fletcher attempted to do what the strikers couldn't and find the net in the 73rd min but his well hit shot was again saved by the Phoenix keepers legs.
Jamie Subat has been fantastic since returning to the Bears but today wasn't his day and he again had another 1 on 1 opportunity missed in the 76th min.
Chris Cousins was again showing his attacking ability when he did extremely well to beat his defender to the ball but like almost every other the chance the Bears had in the game, the Phoenix keeper was in the right spot to save the Cousins header in the 80th min.
Jamie Subat was doing everything right and getting into some great positions but on this day he just wasn't meant to find the net and he once again got himself into a great position with another 1 on 1 after 82 minutes. The difference this time was the keeper didn't make the save as the ball flew across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick.
Subat's shot was the last chance of the game and the referee called an end to play with the score at 0-0. The match was one that the Bears dominated with many chances. The defence of Tyson Fletcher, Carl Thornton, Chris Cousins and Corey Fletcher also had a great game snuffing out many attack from the Phoenix and as a result they ensured Bears keeper Tim Pratt had one of his easiest games of the season with very little to do.
Next week the Bears are back on their own turf at Thomas and Coffey Park for the 2nd leg of the Semi Final series against Phoenix. A win will see the Bears through to their 21st Grand Final appearance and the hopefully a 13th Grand Final victory. Gates open at 9:45am with the Bears game kicking off at 2:30pm.
C'MON YOU BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
