After a hard day at the office last week, it was always going to be interesting to see how the boys were going to respond. This week the focus for training and the messaging from the coaches has been on the boys improving their concentration and the level of effort.
With two injuries to key players again this week (Dylan and Seb) Team Purple got some handy top ups in Louis and Thomas from Team Pink. A big thank you to those two boys for filling in. Dylan turned up once again to support his team and is just itching to get out on the ground with his team.
During the pre match talk from coach Julian all the boys were listening and focused. It seemed that the messaging after last week’s game was starting to sink in. This week was going to be about effort. He implored the boys to play on and run! There will be plenty of time to rest, they have just got to run! Cooper and Charlie S were named the captains today.
With the words “effort,effort,effort!” ringing in their ears the boys stormed onto the field under fine conditions to play footy.
The first quarter saw the mids dominate with Jackson N, Josh, Eddie and Kai getting great first use in the middle and with support on the outside from Charlie E and Louis. They were giving the forward line great supply and forwards didn’t disappoint.
Jackson B got his and the team’s account opened for the year with some great run and carry that resulted in a goal. Caelen and Kit both scored points from difficult opportunities. Caelen took a strong mark and kicked truly for his first goal of the season. Ashton was weaving his way through the defence, up forward, helping to create options for his team.
The mids did a great job building a wall and locking in the forward line which in turn allowed the boys to play the game on their own terms. Some ferocious tackling from Louis helped keep it this way.
The backs were making life tough for Brighton Beach with some ruck work and clearance from Will and defensive efforts from Thomas. Brighton Beach did manage to get it to their end and score a couple of points before the quarter ended. Cruz’s long kicks from kick outs helped clear the ball.
The second quarter saw much of the same. The boys were able to keep it locked up, so much so that Brighton Beach were not able to worry the score keeper. Some great defence and clearance work from Ethan and Cruz with some solid marking from Will.
The highlight of the quarter was little Eddie taking a screamer in mid and kicking truly to advantage.
The forwards had a talk from Wayne at quarter time and the results were obvious… no goals and lots of points… 2 points to Kit and point each to Caelen and Jackson B.
At half time the message was clear and direct, it was all about the effort. Position changes were made across the ground to give the boys a run in a different role.
The third quarter saw the boys add 3 more points to the scoreboard through Cruz, Ethan and Kai. Brighton Beach starting to make a comeback with a point and a goal. Jackson N’s effort on the last line of defence saved a certain goal.
The mids were making it tough for Brighton to move the ball forward with lots of tackling from Thomas, Kit and Jackson B and impressive marking from Archie and Will.
Dominant marking from Cooper in defence and clearance kicking from Caelan was stopping the run of Brighton Beach into the forward line.
The fourth quarter the boys stepped up the effort and didn’t allow Brighton Beach to hit the scoreboard again.
The backs held strong with clearance work from Caelan and Jackson N.
Some tough efforts from the mids with Boston and Will taking on the the opposition with heavy tackles. There was some great delivery from the mids into the forward line from Jackson B and Kit.
The forwards were running wild. Charlie S taking a great mark and Eddie nearly takes another cracker of a mark right in front of goal.
With Kai awarded a free kick in front of goal he didn’t let his mates down as he kicked true. His goal celebration can only be described as manic!
The boys got to sing the song for the first time this season and did so with great passion!
Coach Julian imparted his final words to the boys – He wants to see this level of effort every week. The benchmark has now been reset!
The awards on the day went to Thomas, Cooper, Kit and Jackson B.
Well done boys! #GoRovers!
Best Regards,
Aaron
