Effort. That’s all we as coaches ask for.
Last week when we had no excuses (no school footy the day before, 20 players, 3 of our best players in, playing to cement 4th spot against a team below us) we were terrible and our effort was poor.
This week we many excuses: the bare 18 players (thanks Spaz otherwise we would have had 17), school footy the day before for more than 10 players, several players very sore before the game even started, playing against the top team (with 21 and none who had played the day before).
However, the effort was magnificent.
There are some 70 point losses that are demoralizing, but this one was inspiring.
Undermanned & outclassed, but when the opposition start to whinge and whine and argue and bump and push and throw the ball back at us, you know you’ve got to them. We got to them today and they didn’t like it…but I loved it!
Effort…if you give your best, no matter how difficult the circumstances and regardless of result, you can walk off the field with your head high and be proud of yourself. I am so proud of your efforts today.
Awards:
Campbell Tweedie – explosive out of full-back with 14 possessions and 3 marks and followed the game plan
Per Bellarts – his best game for the year…attacked the footy and took 4 marks along the way
Tom Maginness – rucked tirelessly all day against a giant and started to outmuscle him and upset him
Nick Van der Linden – worked hard all day with 6 tackles and kicked 2 classy goals in the last quarter
Matt Spaziani – an absolute terrier with a game-high 7 tackles
Other special mentions: Hardy – worked hard all day for 17 disposals and 4 tackles; Jacko – couldn’t even lift his arm up above his shoulder before the game and yet played one of his best games for the year; Franky Morris – lightning quick…nearly chased down one of the fastest players in the comp.
It was tough out there today but your effort was fantastic…and that is all we ask for.
Well done boys…you had me excited today!
