We hosted Mordialloc at The Boss James, and from the get go the boys knew it would be a challenge. Last time we met was an enormous game, a come from behind triumph saw us take the chocolates that time. Today would be different, missing a few key players from that game, and also coming off a big win last week.
First couple mins of the first quarter we started like a race car without traction. Going quick but not composed. Colby S, who came straight after his Div 1 game, carried his form from last week and won us the ball from stoppages, and started to bring us back to earth. He is starting to turn into a really mature player and person. Forward 50 entries saw us squeeze them with our press, which was a challenge on the Boss but we did well, led by you know who (Harry S). Jake G kicked one from a run and gun out of stoppage and gave us some relief. We dearly missed Jake T, and he reminded us all with his stellar backline performance.
Second quarter was another solid effort, as we continued to play better footy. Our contest game was very strong, and was clear we were intimidating Mordi. A highlight was Lucas C picking the ball up on the run one touch, kicking to the lead of Josh E who competed and won the contest, brought the ball forward for Bailey L who halved his own contest, won it back and kicked truly to sneak over the Mordi’s fingertips on the line for a goal. After the call went out to fix it, the forwards tackling pressure was elite in the second quarter.
Mordi responded really well in the third. They kicked a couple goals purely on being slightly hungrier than us and more proactive. But we responded even better. Despite their two goals, we still outscored them for the quarter, and won it. Dylan VH, also playing his second game for the day, competed hard and was very efficient by foot, with that booming right foot that found Colby S a couple times resulting in a goal. A highlight was our forward pressure, led fiercely by Paddy T, which resulted in a loose ball in the pocket, and like a magnet attracted Josh ‘Ronaldo’ N to get there first and kick the pill along the ground through the big sticks. The crowd went wild!
We didn’t want to just win, we wanted to bury them. There is a good chance we will see them in finals so we wanted to really kill them so they have nightmares. I personally think we were almost there, but I’m just splitting hairs. We won convincingly and that’s all that matters. Lucas C didn’t miss a handball and couldn’t get tackled in the last. Josh B, who also had his first game back in a couple games, held the backs up superbly, and he won his own ball as a defender which was gold for us.
Very solid effort, but must seek to improve ourselves more to prep for a huge game against Waverly this weekend.
Things we did well:
Took our opportunities (for goal)
Fwd pressure/winning and halving contest
Run and gun
Things to work on:
Voice when we need confidence under the ball
Awareness at stoppage (where is your direct opponent in case we lose stoppage)
