Sunday the 20th of May saw the U17 Sandy-Rovers travelling to Oakleigh for their round 6 game. After an encouraging effort the previous week, our boys were keen to back up their performance on foreign turf. Beau also made a welcome return this week after recovering from his collision with the football in the Murrumbeena game. He looked locked and ready to go.
Much like previous games this season, the Sandy-Rovers got off to a slow start as Oakleigh’s pressure and hardness at the footy took a hold of the game in the first quarter as they built a lead of 8 points and the Sandy-Rovers could not manage a major score, going into quarter time with just 5 behinds.
The second term saw a fightback from our lads, making use of the downwind advantage, however not as effectively as we had hoped. We finished the first half kicking just 2 goals and 8 (yes, that was 8) behinds, as the deficit grew to 12 points.
Some inspiring words and a few oranges later the second half got underway and unlike previous weeks, the Sandy-Rovers clawed back 2 goals to lower the margin to 2 solitary points heading into the ¾ time break. With a tight scoreline in a fiercely contested game, emotions were high as a scuffle broke out briefly on the boundary at ¾ time that was quickly broken up by our boys, managing to keep cool heads. The coaches reminded our players in the huddle to win with the footy, stick to our structures and not be distracted.
The final quarter was an extremely physical contest as the pressure heated up, so did emotions both on and off the field. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed and the focus returned to playing footy and the supporters encouraging their respective sides.
With the Rovers gaining back their downwind advantage for the final term, pressure around the contested ball, extra effort and sheer-will outmatched Oakleigh’s, as a 3-1 goal quarter saw us clasp victory in a very willing encounter.
A huge amount of credit must go to the boys, as their effort in the second half was great to watch. Some notable performances included Fergus Murray kicking 2 vital goals and battling hard in the midfield, Will Nolan who played his best game for the season, gathering up many possessions and giving us superb run off the half back line and also down forward at times.
Last but not least, Cooper Goulding who played an amazing shut-down role on one of Oakleigh’s better midfielders #14 in the second half. It was an amazing effort – recognised by not only his Coaches but also Vice Captain Cam Morris in the rooms afterward who singled out his efforts and congratulated him on a tough job very well done. A fantastic game considering he stepped-up to fill in at the last minute as he was meant to be rostered off this week. Thank goodness he played!
Thanks also to Goldie and Beau who were also late inclusions to fill gaps for injured and sick players. It is great the way every time so far, that we have needed boys to fill in when they are rostered off, they have immediately stepped up. Great Team Spirit lads!!
With 2 wins under our belt we look forward to the challenge back on our home turf next Sunday against Cheltenham/Highett (CHOGS).
