Round two provided Team Yellow with their first home game of the season. It was great to get back to the Rovers home ground. After some initial logistical issues with ground set up, the two teams took to the field for what was to be a great game of footy.
As the Mordi Braeside team spread to their positions it was obvious that there was a height advantage favouring the Mordi team. Our Rovers team was going to have to put the focus on winning the ball low down and trying to generate some run from the contest. The first quarter proved to be very close and at the end of the quarter the Rovers were right in the match. Charlie S had kicked the Rovers’ first goal and the boys, after a slow start, were starting to run to get to the contest. The backs (Will L, Eddie P, Kit, Jackson B, Jackson N, and our new recruit for the day from Under 9s – Hunter), were all playing well and the ball was able to be rebounded consistently out of defence.
In the second quarter the Rovers team started to get consistent entries into the forward zone. This was through the strong work of the midfield. Dylan, Seb, Harrison, Charlie E, Cooper and Josh S were all throwing themselves into the pack to get their hands on the football. As a team the boys started to win the football a bit more – and were able to put the ball cleanly into the forward zone to give Rovers a chance to score. Kai had a good second quarter with a couple of shots on goal just missing before he was able to get one on target to kick a great goal.
Then came the third quarter and the game was still very tight. The team had switched positions at half time, and our new backline were working hard to keep the Rovers in the game. Ethan, Will B, Charlie S, Kai, Seb and Hugo were all busy. Ethan was a clear standout in the Full Back role that he was asked to play. We needed Ethan to play deep – which at times is not all that fun – but with everyone else up at the zone line, Ethan was able to run out of full back uncontested and clear the football into the midfield zone on many occasions. Further up the field Ashton had been asked to show his speed and keep running – something he was able to do and was able to win more contests. Jeffrey was taking some great contested marks in the midfield, and Josh S found some space and was able to kick another goal for the Rovers.
In the fourth quarter, the Rovers were just unable to penetrate deep enough into their forward zone with the kicks from the midfield. Our forwards kept pushing up to the zone line – and if the ball went over the back it was too easily rebounded out by the Mordi Braeside defence. Moving forward, we will work on a zone structure for the boys in the forward zone.
Unfortunately, the Rovers did not get to sing the song today – but they were able to hold their heads high, having played a good tough game. In terms of scoring shots both teams were level – so some goal kicking practice might be in order at training this week.
After two weeks – we are starting to learn some things about the team:
- Generally we are playing some good football, and at times we are able to play great football as a team
- We have a very even mix of players across the team, and there has been a step up in ability level across the whole team
- Concentration – and how to use it / apply it during the game – is something we will work on with the boys.
I look forward to seeing everyone at training this week – and a reminder that Julian’s skills session on the Saturday will run again this weekend. The more parents at that session = the more skills work we can work on with each child, so please come along with your children to attend the session. Attending a second skills session each week is invaluable to their development, and there are several children that have already shown a great step forward in their skills so far this season by regularly attending these sessions.
Go Rovers!!
