What a glorious day for footy it was last Sunday for our final game of the season.
The very unlikely scenario existed that we could still mathematically make the finals if we were to win by 160 points and Beauy were to defeat Waverley Park by 160 points!!
However, the more realistic scenario existed that Northvale would make the finals simply if they were to beat us. The message…”Don’t let this happen!!”
The other pre-game message was to “Enjoy this game as much as possible as it could be the last game you play together as a group!”
The boys were pumped…and they showed it!
Finally, with a squad of 23 players on the day (the most we’ve had in any game this season), after 4 consecutive weeks of brave performances but ultimately heavy losses, the boys were able to show off their capabilities and finish the season on a high.
There were some magnificent passages of play…transferring the ball from end to end with speed and precision; switching to the opposite side; pinpoint passing; strong marking; accurate set shots for goal; strong tackling; linking up handballs…a joy to watch.
The final result: No finals for us BUT no finals for Northvale and we had a very satisfying 42 point victory.
A wonderful way to finish the season…hearing the two songs sung with spirit and seeing happy, smiling faces everywhere…don’t you just love footy?!
Awards:
Harrison Boys – he was everywhere…great creative ball use and hard running all day…great game
Louis Butler – terrific game…great to have him back & boy, have we missed him!
Lachie Fraser – gutsy attack on the ball once again and terrific game
Tom Goldsmith – great finish to the season…hard at the ball like the Tommy of old!
Chris Perkins – a general’s game once again…constant drive and initiated numerous plays
Jacob Travers – great game down back with strong marks and spoils and daring run, then relished his rare chance up forward with a towering mark and goal!
Lorenzo Venturi – when he’s on, he’s on…and he was definitely ON…dangerous every time the ball came near him and controlled the forward line
Everyone played well and more importantly, everyone followed instructions and MOST importantly, everyone looked like they had a great time…I certainly did!
Unfortunately, that’s it! No training this week, no game next week! It’s all over, but I’m still excited…AFL finals are coming!
It’s been a tough year with injuries, unavailabilities and the effect of Saturday sport but the spirit of the entire group has been sensational all year, no matter what has been thrown at us and I am immensely proud of you all. I’ve had a great time and I hope you boys have as well.
Huge thanks must go to Miranda for overseeing the immense job of Team Manager; to Stewart Courtney and Jeff Young for taking on the jobs of Team Manager; to Gavin Coote and Paul Warman for coaching the Div 2 team; to Stu Murray and Marty Charlton for helping me as assistant coaches of the Div 1 team (and keeping me sane!); to Randall Neave for running numerous messages and getting the boys primed to play (& Pete Butler when Randall was unavailable); to all the parents that helped out on match day with all manner of duties; and most of all…to all the 55 boys that registered to play with the Sandy Rovers Under 16’s…you are a great bunch of lads and a joy to coach!
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