We came into this weeks game with a number of changes. Thank you to Jamie Delaney, Jack Tuffley & Ryan Lewis for helping us out and playing in Div 3. You allowed us to bring in for their first games Shahaf Epstein, Presley Evans & Benjo Wells. We were also missing Max Blackie, Toby Golding & Will Oakley-Kerr and James Keys was still doubtful but desperate to play. Luckily Keys past his fitness test (thanks Justin Clarkson) and we also had 3 U14s play up with us. Thanks again Jules Lohan, Lachlan Teal & Oli Howell.
We asked our captain for the day, Zach Bowen & his Vice Captains, Dan Hall & Luke Nixon-Smith, to set the example for the rest of the group and give plenty of direction out on the ground.
We were kicking into a very strong breeze and against an opposition that were a lot taller than us. Our defence were holding on tight as the opposition ball movement was fast with the breeze. Lucky for us CHOGS missed a lot of opportunities and we were able to capitalise on our forward entries. It did give us a chance to do some kick out set ups. Jamie Draheim was a great option short and wide and 2 kicks into the wind from full back we were on the wing ready to attack again. 10 fwd entries – 9
2:3:15 – 0:5:5
We tweaked a few things at 1/4 time. Readdressed how we would like the group to play and away we went. The mids were on top from the first bounce, the fwd line started to open up & and the back 6 were back to their miserable best. Unfortunately our kicking for goal wasn’t as good as our ball movement as we missed a lot opportunities in front of the big sticks. 16 fwd entries – 4
6:11:47 – 0:7:7
At 1/2 time we thought we were 2 players down with Shahaf & Ethan both coming off the ground in some discomfort. Thanks to our trainer and “helpers”, both boys came back into the huddle ready to play again. Our theme for the 3rd quarter was ball security and ball control. Red ball in defence and once it was past our half back line, green ball all the way home. The group delivered. We cut through the oppo with solid ball movement, moving CHOGS from one side of the ground to the other and all this into the wind. Well done boys. Take the risk, it will pay off!! 12 fwd entries – 5
10:14:74 – 0:8:8
At 3/4 time we had some sore and tired boys. We mixed things up in the middle, told the backs to push up as much as possible and tried to keep the fwd line open and give our fwds room to move and apply their craft. We continued our good ball movement across the ground, but once again, just couldn’t make the most of our fwd entries as we just kept missing the 6 pointers. 14 fwd entries – 5
13:21:99 – 2:9:21
Well done team. We achieved our first target of 4 wins in grading and we have been elevated to Division 1. The season starts again.
