WOOOWEEEE, WHAT A DAY WE WITNESSED LAST SUNDAY, TWO GREAT ROVERS TEAMS TAKE THE PRIZE AND WHEN YOU SEE HOW THEY WENT ABOUT IT, IT BECAME NO REAL SURPRISE TO ANYONE.
From this in Round 1 under lights at the Boss …
To this in 16 weeks. Talk about development!!
Certain standards need to be met when eyeing premiership glory. The little things, planning, gameplay A, B & C, ground conditions, injury plan, who will fill the role if X goes down?
But the standard that I admired the most on Sunday is when super coach Leigh Witney had the war paint under the eyes. This struck a chord in me, one that said he was at one with his girls.
The way Leigh spoke at the B&F presentation post game on Sunday afternoon had me on the verge of tears, for that matter both our victorious coaches in Leigh and Dave Burton spoke from the heart and both represented our club with total respect for the opposition, league and love of the players and game.
Leigh spoke about the fact that boys often understood the concept of positioning in the game via Auskick. He said he had to go right back to basics with most of the girls and build from there. He mentioned that everything was built of having FUN & RESPECT for each other whilst learning TEAMWORK.
[Ed: whilst most of the U12 Girls hadn’t done Auskick, Rovers Auskick is for boys and girls, so young girls, please have a go at Auskick in 2018!]David, said post-game that our club does not look at premierships as a performance indicator for success like other clubs – he mentioned PASSION, RESPECT & FUN. He said his team had grown greatly in the 4 years that his boys had been together & the TEAMWORK was evident today to see.
Clearly both coaches live the CLUB MANTRA, thank you gentlemen & well done!!
The Under 12 girls gave us all a heart attack with 1 minute 30 to go, the Beaumaris Sharks went forward one last time and had they kicked a goal we were heading to extra time! I am not sure a posse of 5-6 mums would have remained upright had the Sharks scored a goal – the nervous jogging on the spot with mothers claiming it was keeping them warm – I firmly believe these footy mums were living vicariously through their daughters and wishing they were the ones running down the wing with their hair on fire whilst hundreds of adoring fans screamed in delight as they ran by! (I could be wrong…)
When the siren sounded to end the game, I witnessed what is grand about community: both teams came together and showed respect, there was a winner and another team that lost on the day, you never lose premierships you just win them. To the team that lost all they did was lose a game, simple really.
Premierships are hard to win and they don’t come around every day, this group of girls created history at Hampton Rovers, something very special in a club with over 80 years of stories to be told. I was glad I witnessed this and the unbridled joy on the faces of the girls and parents. They had worked hard, they were the best team in the division and they won the biggest game of the year. This moment at our club belonged to many. I pictured a twinkle in the eye of Jo Adams, our inaugural girls coach. The time and effort Jo has – and continues to – put in is huge, she is pro “chick footy” and would have loved the mighty 12’s getting the bacon.
The mids dominated & ran in support all game.
The Under 11 D5 boys started slow but turned the corner after 15 mins and put the foot down. The physical nature of this team needs to be seen to be believed. The run and carry, care and share will hold this group in good stead for many years. Cameron, Fletch and Josh have all been invited next week to the SMJFL presentation night. Having seen this team several times this year I am not surprised at that. I guess the only surprise is that they are the only three as at least 2-3 others could have been invites also.
Coach Burton, one proud coach!!
I must congratulate parents and friends for the conduct at both games, I witnessed nothing that we at Rovers should be concerned with, the league has dealt with a few items during the finals thus far, and dealt with these items fast and fair.
We have won two from three Grand Finals so far. Our Under 17 lads will play this Sunday at Highett starting at 12.55pm, please get along and support these guys, GOOD LUCK BOYS!!!
Always Remember
PASSION – TEAMWORK- FUN – RESPECT
GO THE MIGHTY UNDER 17 LADS ON SUNDAY.
GO ROVERS
Caggs
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