A nice weekend for under 16 footy this week where both sides reversed the trend and toppled higher ranked opponents whilst at the same time keeping finals footy a reality.
Between Div 1 and Div 2 we had just 33 available – which doesn’t work for two teams. Unless of course you are a “One squad and two team set up” where we all train together, laugh together and today – WIN together.
Sincere thanks to our seven (7) dual match winners; Liam O’Driscoll, Jack Bell, Per Bellarts, Matt Spaziani, Marcus White, Josh Le Grice and new recruit Joe Lynch, who all doubled up and played two full games today. They played significant roles, and eight (8) committed quarters each, which enabled both teams to maintain an eye on finals early in July! I watched both games and walked away seriously proud of all 33 East Sandy Rovers men that ran out today.
Gav will wrap up Div 2’s crunching stance today at the “Boss” and this is how Div 1 opened up Northvale at the remote expanse of Wellington Reserve in Mulgrave after a belting from them earlier this year.
With a depleted squad, and five Div 2 regulars stepping up to give us 19, we changed the game plan to suit the conditions and focused on closing down the game. In short, the plan was to be Nil-Nil at three quarter time, stick to the plan of playing one side of the ground, and secure the footy with two hands whenever the ball was in dispute.
Happy to report that the boys were undisciplined today. They forgot that the plan specified before the game for a Nil-Nil score at three quarter time. 11-6-72 to 0-4-4 saw us comfortably ahead! An understandably weary troop maintained the lead in the last quarter to finish winners at 14-6-90 to 2-7-19. Simply brilliant effort from an undermanned but committed group of young men who got mauled on and off the ball from the first bounce.
10 goal kickers was a welcome change, with Cam Morris relishing his 15 minutes up front that delivered the killer blow of 3 goals in the third quarter. Harry Neave rotated forward for the first time, and slotted his first two goals for the year, whilst Lorenzo just bamboozled everyone finishing with a brace also.
The back six enjoyed the help from the mid field brigade in closing down the space and keeping constant pressure on the Vales forwards. Marcus “Nice Sheppard” White tucked in nicely around Tweeds, Joe and Garbo whilst Zac and Cam provided the dash on the way out. 70+ tackles was the difference today.
Frase was superb in playing out 4 midfield quarters after a long break with injury, and with Belly and Tom McG giving us first use of the footy in the ruck, it enabled the mids to pump in repeat entries inside 50 every quarter.
Overall, two fitting results and a satisfying day for both teams.
Enjoy the week off and thanks for the memories!
Stu Murray
