With a bye for round 1, the Rovers went into Round 2 undefeated in season 2018.
The pre-season had been an enthusiastic mix of some solid training sessions where everyone was switched on learning the fundamentals that were going to hold them in good stead for the year.
With two injuries to key players this week (Dylan and Seb) Team Purple were lucky to have Charlie M, and Jack A from the Under 8’s fill in to help us field 18 players. A big thank you to those two boys for filling in, and to Dylan and Seb for turning up to support their team mates while they were injured. All the team enjoyed seeing them there to support them.
The weather was perfect for playing football, and when the siren sounded for the start of the first quarter, no one predicted what was about to happen. The East Sandy team started strongly, and then found a way to put pressure on the Rovers back line from the opening bounce. The back six of Charlie S., Cruz, Eddie P., Cooper, Ethan and Jack A., tried hard all quarter to resist the surge of the East Sandy forward line. The boys kept trying, but the level of skill from the East Sandy team showed that they were going to be a strong opposition. By quarter time there was a collective sigh of relief from the backs, as they made their way to the huddle.
The coaches made some rotations for the second quarter, however the opening minutes of the second quarter played out in a similar fashion to the first. The new back 6 of Ashton, Will , Jackson B., Josh, Jackson N. and Charlie E. tried hard to stop the forward entries of the East Sandy midfield. Some passages of play started to open up and the second quarter saw the Rovers have their first foray into their forward zone. A shot on goal from Kai only just missed to the right for a point.
At half time the boys came to the huddle – and the coaches gave them some simple points to work on for the second half:
Stick with your opposition player and man-up.
Play on when you get the ball; and
Keep running when you get rid of the ball. (Keep running to the next contest in your zone – don’t walk).
The third quarter started, and the Rovers were able to generate some more run through the midfield. The East Sandy team still found a way to win more of the ball, and as a result had more entries into their forward zone. The new back 6 of Boston, Caelan, Kai, Charlie M, Archie and Kit played well, but the quarter again went to East Sandy.
The boys came together for the final break, Coach Julian asked the boys to give it all their effort in the final quarter and to not let the impending result get in the way of playing good football as a Rovers team. The effort that the boys gave in the final quarter showed that they have what it takes to match it with the East Sandy team. The tackling was impressive, the marking improved, and the boys started kicking longer to clear the zones.
At the final siren a score of 0.0.00 to 0.0.00 probably flattered the Rovers Team. Well done to the boys for taking the challenge head on – and trying to make the most of the game as each quarter was played. To see the increased effort in the 4th quarter was very pleasing for the coaches. The boys did not give up, and today’s performance was more reflective of it being the boys’ first real game for the year, rather than the team’s ability level.
We are already looking forward to training on Tuesday, and switching the boys on to remember three key points for the coming weeks:
Listen – to the coaches (at training and during the game)
Concentrate – during the game (before the game in the rooms and on the ground); and
Stick to your opposition player on the ground at all times – especially in defence. (Know your opponents number and stick with them for the whole quarter).
With these three simple tasks in mind – it will give the children something to work towards over the coming weeks. With more matches the boys will get used to being back on the full-sized field, and concentrating for 4 full quarters of the game. We saw some great skills on display from all members of the team today. This will continue to build over the coming matches.
Where the team heads this year will depend on how well the boys learn to listen as a group at training, and how well they translate that into application on game day. This is also something that every parent will need to assist the coaches with – via positive reinforcement and encouragement that listening will help the boys improve.
We are all excited for a great season ahead. Bring on Round 3. Go Rovers!
