Hi team,
Last match of the regular home & away season on an almost perfect football morning and we were captained by James Jebb and Tom Strickland in their last game of the season (as they are away for next week’s lightning carnival). Last time we played St Pauls McKinnon, although our boys were slow to begin and our opponents were well structured, we just got home in a tough contest but we had to fight all the way. It was anticipated that today would also be a tough game.
As anticipated the first quarter was at loggerheads being fought out mostly in the middle of the ground and it was unusual to see two midfields under the pump against each other for so long. However, neither side would lay down and both sides went into the first break scoreless. In the second quarter the game became more open and a bit more run resulted in some great teamwork with a few successive kick/mark combinations, including a gutsy overhead by Luke and a centering kick which finally resulted in Zac directing a nice dribbler through the big sticks to break the deadlock. The rest of the quarter was again toughly fought out back and forward between the zones. However, St Pauls McKinnon were having an almost identical game answering our goal with their own first major.
The third quarter was almost identical to the second, this time with St Pauls McKinnon scoring a nice team goal but this one was answered by us via great team play ending with a goal off Jebby’s boot. We went into the last break once again with an almost identical scoreline.
Then the last quarter was almost identical as the first with no goals scored and both sides trying to attack but then having to defend back and forward between the zones. In the last few minutes our boys were defending against a slight breeze and had every right to lay down, but it seems this is not in their DNA as once again our team did not give up, including a great defensive tackle by Ben and an awesome late goal save by Lachy. Massimo again continued to improve his skills and confidence while Harry was also solid running through the middle. Spencer also played well in a great team game and Zac & Jebby were at their best.
I thought it was fitting at the end of this match that the scoreline was a draw between these teams as neither team really deserved to win or lose. Both teams fought this out from start to finish in great spirit and l never thought l’d be so satisfied as a coach after a drawn result. That’s why after the match l told all 40 or so boys from both teams to gather as one, grab a jumper no matter what the colour, congratulate each other and both go back into their respective rooms to each sing their song. Our boys then sung the song louder and prouder than l have ever heard in any U8, U9, U10 & U11 games at the Rovers.
Before the start of the season l recall saying that a perfect first season would see our boys having a few wins, a few losses and playing in a few close ones that can go either way. We have now finished the 13 games of the home & away season with 10 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. 4 games were decided by either 0, 1 or 2 points and we remained unbeaten in any of these. Enough said!
Our boys have come on heaps since the start of the year. I will never get tired of seeing them link up and kick a nice drop punt goal on the run in attack, but equally, l will never get tired of seeing them in trouble being tackled but now with the skill to raise their arms and handball to someone out the back.
Next week we go into the lightning carnival with a great history and the league has had no hesitation in putting our boys into a higher grade for this finale, which is fair enough and a compliment to our boys. Despite a few of our guys missing l feel our boys are definitely up to the challenge and as long as they SWITCH ON, STEP UP AND RUN, RUN, RUN they should have a fun end to a great first year of footy. A final season report will come after this.
Once again thanks to a few who will be missing next week in Ben Jebb our runner all year, and Andrew & Helene Strickland for their help as trainer and photographers. You guys have all done a great job and on behalf of all of us we really appreciate your efforts.
See you next Thursday for our final training session.
Koje & Kurt
Coaches
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