Each week as a club we have several light bulb moments that I sit back and marvel at how simple it is, how uncomplicated it is and always should be. The past 6 days I witnessed several things that had me sit/stand & smile.
#1 The Saturday night interview with Angus and Andrew Brayshaw had me smiling from ear to ear; all the moments they recalled, the U15 Grand final when Ash Roberts team took down a team that was undefeated for 3 years. I was there that day and remember the buildup, hearing Andrew explain it was and still is his favourite football moment was wonderful. Andrew also said he loved seeing his team go Back to Back and mentioned Oscar Roberts’ heroics kicking the match winner as another highlight in 9 years at Rovers.
Andrew mentioned the love and mateship he shared, he still communicates with the boys today. He said his fun days at Rovers are different to his professional sportsman attitude he needs at present. Angus likewise mentioned the U16 Grand Final in 2011 under Ron Verma as coach. I watched that game having coached the game before to a loss against East Malvern, disappointed, yet rapt for the U16s who took down the Vampires in a thriller.
Andrew and Angus Brayshaw
#2 Looking at a humble man in Ross Smith, a Brownlow medalist in 1961, listening to him recall his Scout days and how the Rovers travelled in a bus. Playing U19s as a 14-year-old, amazing.
#3 watching the U8s on Sunday morning at Boss James, Steve had these boys fired up wanting the siren to never sound.
#4 Watching our East Sandy Rovers U16 D3 team pull together and be real competitive the last game Sunday afternoon at Boss James. These boys as mentioned last week had a rough preseason with numbers falling away, they came together under the East Sandy Rovers Banner this year and for whatever reason many departed. Congrats to Matt Touhey the Zebs President who lobbied the league for a Div 3 spot, it was granted, I sat in my car for 30 minutes and watched a real ding doing battle.
#5 Saturday morning I went and watched BGS play Hailebury. I had coached several lads from both teams over the years, it was great to see them all play and play well. One boy grabbed my attention, Ex Rover, Felix Flockart. Always athletic, Felix’s football journey developed as a slow burn over the years. On Saturday the 197cm big boy dominated, he was a raging bushfire, almost got BGS over the line, Well done Flicka.
#6 Sean Brady our U10 Girls coach emailed me and asked for my time to discuss his options with coaching, we had coffee at lunchtime yesterday. Sean gets big picture footy and is keen to learn a development model that will have our young ladies thrive. I was entertained with the lengthy potential he identifies within our club, PASSION, love it.
#7 I sat in the committee meeting last night listening to a club member that was invited to talk to us about minority groups within Bayside, how we might help them as a club, talking to the committee about values of society and how in love with our club she has become and what it means to BELONG.
#8 I love reading the coaches reports each week. Christian Carnovale discussed with me yesterday the growth and development within his team in U14 D5, always highlights what the team talked and planned for and what the outcome was, it is rounded off with what we need to improve, it is never just all blue-sky sailing, there always needs to be method.
Looking around the grounds we had a mixed bag last weekend, some shock results and some results that had me beaming, the Girls U14 D4 girls had a great win whilst the U14 D2 just got pipped in a tight contest.
The 10 Girls won in a great game, the U12 girls had a mixed result in Div 2, one team going down to BBJFC and the other getting over South Melbourne.
The 4 young ladies playing in the U16 Div 1 team at Zebs had a huge win, Tash, Mackenzie, Tay & Gabs are loving life.
The U18 Girls walked though the valley of death but at least kicked one goal to the East Malvern Knights plenty.
The U17 lads lost to St Bedes, the game was brutal at times in a mud bath.
U15 guys lost all three games, but had a crack nonetheless. Under 14 teams split a win for D5 and a loss for D1.
U13 teams both had good wins, Chris’s team showed plenty of character and got what they deserved.
U12 are flying with both team singing the song, this age group amongst others show plenty of resilience, skill and Passion for the Rovers jumper.
U11 D3 have had another great result whilst the D6 came up just short, this is the third game the lads have lost by a goal, never mind boys’ fortunes change often in the back half of any season.
All other age groups are loving life.
A quick note to my mates from the U14 age group, if you read this, stop sending me pictures from Hawaii. I have serious FOMO at present, sitting at Boss James last night after 10pm freezing in the club house was bad enough, being reminded where you are is downright cruel, just saying.
I love footy and what it offers, belonging to this great club in its 90th Year is a privilege, watching my eldest son play under 19s this year a highlight, the support from the senior club, coaches and admin has been great.
What will the second half of the 2019 season bring?
Let’s work hard and find out.
GO ROVERS
Caggs
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