Hard work always pays off. That was the message to the boys after a fantastic four quarter performance that finally gave us a win!!!
Down on numbers prior to the game, and down again after injury, the boys’ hunger was the difference yesterday. First in to win the ball, first to lay that tackle, first to shepherd and long direct kicks to the forward line allowed the game to be played on our terms.
Was awesome to see Freddie kick the first goal and was even better to see the boys get around him when he did! Likewise, when Charlie and Cootch went down, the way the boys are backing each other, the bonds that are taking shape, these are proud moments!
At three-quarter time the boys were getting tired, and we urged them at the break that now is the time to give it their all. Leave it all out on the ground, finish the game knowing you did your absolute best. Well after Angus kicked that last goal, I decided to throw him in the backline to stop any momentum they could get. It resulted in an ugly quarter of aerial ping pong, the mids and defenders were often blasting the ball out of defence to big numbers from our opposition, we only had 2 to kick to, so I’m sorry for that, but we had to get that win.
I’m hoping the boys’ confidence has lifted substantially, the boys can play, we have some great talent. The inclusion of the likes of Orlando is like icing on the cake, he was fantastic yesterday, and Jasper was sensational, he can read the play and repelled many attacks with confident marking. Luca as a first-year footballer, is every week getting better and combined with the usual excellent contributions from Camdyn, Angus, Dion, Taro, Marco, Mitch and Tom, and we have a lot to look forward to. Everyone on the ground yesterday won their spot.
I must say it was great to sing the song yesterday with the boys and the smiles on their dials was amazing! A big thanks also to both Denis and Dave and my other son Emmanuel, without you, I’d be useless.
See you all hopefully Tuesday night, bring your runners for a kick, I’ve arranged a couple of Richmond footballers to come down to motivate the boys and talk about what it takes to be an AFL Footballer.
Go Rovers!!!
Hampton 4 .4. 28
St Peters 1.4.10
Coach – Bill Barbas
