Round six of the season saw us face East Brighton Vampires away from home. This was our second week playing in the higher grade of Division 1. Last week we faced our most difficult challenge to date, and we knew this week would be no exception. However we went into the game with confidence and fearless optimism.
This weeks game also brought with it something very special. Four boys celebrated their 50th games. Jem Thomas, Harry Tuffley, Mitch Tuffley and Max Alpar all had the honour of running through the banner, created beautifully by the Thomas and Tuffley families.
The main message leading into this game was for the boys to believe in themselves. We had been put into Div 1 for a reason. And every boy wanted to prove it.
The Vampires got off to a solid start with a chain of goals in the first quarter, difficult to stop. But one thing our team prides themselves on is the ability to respond. With each quarter that came, we chipped back and closed the gap. Our defensive pressure lifted considerably in the second half, and we were able to drive the ball forward with more fluidity. A couple of handy Taj Hotton goals enabled us claw back. In conjunction with our forward pressure, we successfully kept our competition to only a single goal in the second half.
On the final siren we were only about three goals down. In this new tougher competition we proved very competitive and showed depth of character from the whole team. Mitch Nolan won the guts and determination award after a desperate effort in the first half, as did the 50th boys in Jem, Harry, Mitch and Max who led by example with 4 quarter tireless outstanding efforts.
Tim Sutherland
Coach
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