Rovers 2.0.12 to Beauy 10.7.67
Goals: M Carrigan (1), J Bogue (1)
Summary
We were privileged to be such an integral part of the Roberts Connor Dawes tribute round for the SMJFL raising awareness for Brain Cancer. The boys got to listen to some inspirational stories of courage, and our great game of footy was put in perspective. After a brief bonus pre-match from Brayden Maynard, the boys ran on the ground wearing their beanies with pride and ready to hit the ground running.
Playing top of the ladder Beauy the boys were going to need to do everything right to take it up to them. As has been the case in recent week the boys started the game with gusto, and from early on we sent Beauy a message that they weren’t going to have it all their own way. Whilst we were winning our share of footy, it was the turnovers that cost us and led to Beauy have the first few scoring opportunities. A combination of rovers pressure and good fortune yielded just 3 behinds for Beauy, and against the run of play rovers put together coast to coast movement of the footy to set up a scoring opportunity of our own. With the ball trapped across half forward, a perfect kick was placed out the front of our leading forward who converted, executing what had been focus at training from recent weeks. Closing in on the end of the quarter we were hopeful of having our nose in front. With ball in the dead pocket we need to amplify the defensive heat on the opposition, but when we allowed the ball bobbled back into the danger zone, a smart kick led to a Beauy mark and goal. Once again conceding the late goal was disappointing, but nonetheless were we happy with the positive start to the game.
The second quarter saw Beauy start to win the centre clearances and around the ground stoppages. Whilst the back line repelled a number of forward entries, the big mobile forwards of Beauy eventually broke through with successive goals and the writing was on the wall for the challenge that laid ahead. We continued to fight the battle and with our next forward entry from the far side, our key forward took a courageous mark and went back and goaled and we felt the game was back in the balance. Unfortunately another 2 consecutive late goals to Beauy gave them a half time buffer of 22 points that may not have seemed unsurmountable, but we going to need the rovers to sharpen their skills and avoid the costly turnovers to get back in the game.
Unfortunately that was not to be with Beauy continuing their domination in the air taking what seemed to 20 marks for the quarter. We continued to battle hard but the well drilled Beauy defence gave our forwards limited opportunities and kept us scoreless for the half. In the end we conceded we were outclassed by a very good team who we expect to figure prominently in the finals.
Highlights
- Jake G and the kick to position that led to strong mark and goal from power forward Maso man
- Josh B backing back into the pack taking a strong mark arms full stretch, and went back and kicked the goal from a tight angle
- Paddy and his defensive job on one of the Beauy small forwards in the second half
- Arch consistently putting his head over the ball and body on the line getting no favours from the whistle
- Louis & Dylan continuing to attack the contested ball with vigour, his confidence not dented by the quality of the opposition
- Jake T and a couple of goal saving tackles deep in the back half
- Ben F working hard at ground level, as well as taking a strong mark and switch of play as per instruction
- Lachie providing some burst speed around the stoppages
- Kento provided some strength around the contested footy when moved on the ball in the second half
Things We Did Right
- Competed well at ground level, including hardness and courage at the contested footy
- Whilst we had limited scoring opportunities, the goals we scored were both from marking forwards converting set shots – forward play that we have been practicing in recent weeks
Room For Improvement’s (as much for the coaches…)
- combination of skill errors and poor decisions from marks and free kicks- need composure to take an extra step to steady, and sometimes nned to be patient until an option presents
- inability to penetrate past our half forward line – this was a recognised strength of the opposition, and we needed to tactically address this
- midfielders need to focus on accountability when the opposition midfield got on top – too many consecutive clearances when we need to halt the opposition’s momentum – coach takes responsibility on this as a firm message should have been sent out
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