The boys travelled to Ormond to face a team we have beaten already this year twice, but despite this history as we are at Rovers, we gave them respect and executed our game plan as best we could.
The game plan was executed almost the best we’ve seen all year, with our fill in assistant coach Nathan Smith (Sandy Zebras/Ex Rovers player and Best and Fairest winner) being super impressed with our press, and especially our frontline application. The boys started well on the scoreboard, with goals being fired from all cylinders. Christian B and Lucas C kicked our goals in the first term, and it was clear we were dominating possession.
Our next quarter was electric. We turned up the heat and started to link up. Didn’t matter about the weather, anytime anywhere we pulled the trigger and hit our targets. Nick K and Jake G were excellent in running the ball down and gaining territory. Our mids competed aggressively and it showed. Ormond were intimidated by us all day.
Colby S started like a house on fire in the first half and continued early in the 3rd. He broke tackles and ran with intent. Truly lifted the team early and didn’t take his foot off the pedal. Jake Mc and Ben D stood very tall in the press, as usual, and locked us in our forward line for what it seemed the entirety of the day.
Last quarter, we tried something unthinkable. We put Harry S forward in uncharted territories to kick his first goal for the year. The swap from full back to full forward was exciting for us as a team, and it was a major highlight seeing Harry snag his goal and the boys getting around him.
Whilst we had a big win, and executed our game plan well, we must not be satisfied and stay hungry. The fall gets greater as we keep winning, and must keep backing up our performances.
Things we did well:
frontline presence
took on the game (tackle/run and gun)
presses hard and lived in our fwd
Things we need to work on:
voice to players under the ball (give them confidence)
celebrate little wins