On this nice and chilly Sunday morning, The Hampton Rovers Roses ventured out to East Malvern for the clash against a very well performed and experienced team. Due to many girls being away for the holiday period we only had 10 players and were happy to be advised by the East Malvern coach upon arrival that they had similar issues and exactly the same number of players.
Jazzey C and Jazzey T were announced as Captains for the day and the scene was set for a big game after winning the toss and kicking to what ended up being the scoring end all day. Each team had 4 girls in the middle and only 3 forwards / defenders and we knew that winning the ball in the middle was going to be critical.
East Malvern started strongly and were able to push forward on many occasions in the first quarter. Lily was superb in defence and there is no question that she had come to play as was not letting any balls get past her. Tilly was in the last line of defence and layed some huge tackles and with Jess T providing great support mainly through good handballing, the 3 defenders were able to work together to swing momentum our way. Jazzey C and Jasmyn started to get right on top in the middle and along with our other onballers played massive first quarters. Enter Bianca !! She put in her best quarter of her career thus far and managed to boot 2 critical goals for the term. Our other forwards, especially Sienna were all lively and knew to get the ball into her hands.
I’m not sure who brought the blankets along but our quarter time huddle resembled more of a girl guides camp than an AFLW gathering.
The blankets must have worked as the girls picked up exactly where they left off when Stu bounced the ball to restart proceedings. The game had become a real arm wrestle and the ball spent a lot of time through the middle corridor. There were lots of strong tackles layed by both sides and this game had become a true footy contest with neither side wanting to give up the ascendency. Tilly and Jazzey C continued to give us great drive out of the middle and all of the Rovers girls were starting to display great teamwork and were really working like a great team. Jasmyn and our other defenders were again put under big pressure and did really well to withstand the East Malvern charge.
The oranges went down a treat at half time and once again the blankets were used as motivation for the group. The magnet board was moved around in an attempt to find the perfect balance to get on top. Jazzey T showed why she is highly regarded at the Sandy Aths Club as she started to use her express pace to be the first to many contests. After a few close calls she was rewarded with her first of many future goals for the Rovers and had a massive smile as her dad, Jason (on debut as our runner with the super quick Leigh Whitney away) was on hand to commend her. Our onballers in Jasmyn, Tess, Sienna and Tilly continued to work harder than they have this year and kept the ball going forward. Poppy got in on the act and was really thrilled to slot her first major for the Rovers whilst Bianca was desperately trying to kick her 3rd for the day. Jazzey C was like a rock in defence and along with our other defenders was able to thwart most attacks from the East Malvern girls.
The girls were all patted on the back for a great quarter and were asked for 1 more 10 minute effort so they could sing the song. Jasmyn and Tilly once again were on top for us in the middle and our forwards were ready to pounce on anything that came their way. Tess had worked herself right into the game with some really good team play up forward. Jazzey C has clearly watched a lot of footy growing up as she decided that the song was the Rovers to sing and kicked 2 huge goals in the last term.
The Rovers song was sung with gusto once again. The girls really played a great game today and with backs to the wall they all pulled together to put on a wonderful display of AFLW football.
Awards for the day Tilly ( hard running all day ), Lily ( great defensive work ), Tess ( great team play ), Bianca ( 2 great goals ).
Sean Brady
Coach – U10 Girls
