After the first four rounds of great football from the TEAM, we waited patiently to see whether the boys would get promoted up a grade ………. and the answer was YES!! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM AS A WHOLE, well done.
The morning broke knowing that the boys would be playing on the hallowed turf of Boss James Reserve, the home of the Mighty Rovers for the first time. The game was to be played simultaneously with the Rovers under 10s, so we were to play on a half ground for the first time also.
Pre game in the rooms I informed the team that due to us being re-graded up a level the game would be more intense and harder than previous weeks, so we had to on from the start.
The first half played out similar to previous weeks with the boys taking control of the game early. The confidence that we started the game with was pleasing. The midfield gave us first use of the ball out of the centre, this allowed our forwards to read the ball coming in better than their opponents.
Goals came from great teamwork and forward pressure. The standard from the group has lifted week on week and this week was no different. Monty, Nate and Kai were ferocious in and around the packs searching for the hard and loose ball and feeding it to the outside run of Will and Ziggy to utilise their foot skills. Reid, Max R and Jacob all showed pace with some good chases while the two Angus’s laid some strong tackles. In the first half the backs were taking it up to Dingley’s forwards by playing in front. The defensive pressure from one of the smallest guys on the ground in Mitchell was something to watch, working his man wide to the boundary and tackling well. The tall timber down back of Ethan, Max S and Harry all used their height to advantage and this enabled the smaller likes of Charlie, Mitchell and Zane to use their run and carry to deliver it out of the defensive zone. Nate had a goal disallowed after he broke a tackle and ran through centre half forward and slotted it home only to have it recalled because he was a midfielder and not a forward, save it for next week Nate.
I had to smile in the half time huddle when, I think it was Monty, came up to me and said “you said it was going to be harder this week because we went up, but it’s not”!!
The second half saw the zone rotations come in. I have been pleased at the way the boys can spend a half of the game in one mindset and then have the ability to flick the switch at the half and refocus and reset to their new position without skipping a beat. In the second half Dingley seemed to play a little more defensive and didn’t give us the space we were afforded in the first half. This did not seem to affect Charlie as he willed himself to the contest and managed to slot home two second half goals with Zane also finding the centre of the big sticks. Taj and Ziggy were resilient throughout applying pressure through the mid and down back, but I thought Ziggy showed a lot, as he was stood on and manhandled which left him wounded, he hobbled to the bench briefly before quickly returning to the ground to run out the game.
The final siren sounded and the overall result shows me that we have a fantastic group of boys who want to play for each other and enjoy the team environment. The teamwork and skills that were displayed today is a testament to the boys love for the game and I can’t wait to see where their enthusiasm can take them.
Lastly, I would like to thank all of those who helped out today in their various roles, without your help and support none of this is possible.
Today’s awards in no particular order:
Reid, Ethan, Angus A, Jacob and Monty.
Cheers Jonesy
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