So we ventured back to a ground that we had tasted success at, Centenary Park in Bentleigh. Pre game saw us set up and start our drills to be ready to go from the first bounce.
The game began with a tussle in the middle and a hard ball get by Jacob who kicked the ball forward where Will marked. He kicked long to the forward line where the ball rebounded swiftly back into the midfield. The St. Peter’s defence was structured well and they were well drilled. The first half of the quarter the effort of all the boys was noticeable, we had come to play. Zane laid a strong tackle down back which caused a turnover, Nate scooped up the loose ball and slammed it onto his left deep into the midfield. Nick’s second efforts were on show as he pursued the ball against two St. Peter’s players. We kept sending the ball forward time and time again, our efforts finally paid dividends when Angus.A kicked truly and put our first major on the board.
The second saw Ziggy, Max.R, Mitchell and Harry all attack the footy with purpose and get some strong possessions. St. Peter’s put some good passages of play together, but the likes of Nate, Toby, Max.S, Max.R and Zane down back managed to return fire with some great run and carry to pump the ball deep into the centre of the ground. The ground fleet of Angus.H, Charlie, Taj and Baxter all kept the pressure up on the opponents with their constant run and chase, that in turn didn’t give the St. Peter’s players time to have effective disposals. Half time arrived and the boys knew they were in for a hard slog.
The rotations came at the half and the boys were set and ready to switch on to their new positions. The third started just as the the first two had, with a lot of pressure being applied to the ball carrier from both sides. Reid, Harry and Deakin all linked up in a chain of possessions that saw the ball penetrate deep into the forward pocket where Baxter under pressure shot out a handball finding Will, hard against the boundary, swing onto his right and narrowly miss to the near side. From the kick in, the ball was kept in the forward line through determination and hard work. Nate put through a goal, after getting an “in the back” paid about twenty metres out. All the forward action also saw Zane run onto the ball, evade a defender, steady and slot a goal, hi 5’s all round!
At the last change I spoke to the boys and let them know that the last quarter was going to be tough and that St. Peter’s were going to come with all guns blazing! They didn’t disappoint, they were like the tide, they just kept coming. The midfield and backs were under the pump all quarter, the opposition found one last effort time and time again. Ethan, Jacob and Angus.H all laid strong tackles on multiple occasions and managed to keep the ball out of the oppositions scoring zone. The entire team played a focused and determined final quarter today. I emphasise the word TEAM, as I believe that each and every player on the field today, especially in the last, played for the boy standing next to him on the field. There definitely seemed to be a TEAM GOAL of not letting the opposition score in the last, and the boys succeeded!!
Once again a huge congratulations to all the boys for another courageous effort and mighty performance. The final score was 3.6.24 to St. Peter’s 1.3.9.
Thank you to all parents who helped out today and I look forward to seeing all the boys at training Thursday night.
Awards in no particular order: Zane.H, Harry.R, Nick.B, Baxter.B, Mitchell.D and Angus.A was given best afield from St. Peter’s.
Goals: 1 A.Aujard , 1 N.Jongen , 1 Z.Harper
Best Players: Z.Harper, H.Roberts, B.Bowen, M.Dally, N.Barton
You must be logged in to post a comment.