Hi all players & parents,
After a pre season that had a series of school camps that seemed to go forever, school holidays, Easter & ANZAC Day, we finally made it to round 1.
During the pre season we have been trying to get the group familiar which each other, brush up on their skills, set up a bit of a game plan without them knowing and try and pick 3 teams, coaches and TMs. We did it, just.
With our new jumpers and new teammates, we ventured out to take on the Waverley Hawks. There was a good feeling in the rooms and a few nerves. Not just with the boys. Our focus was on making a statement from the first bounce and that had to come from Ned. He knew all eyes were on him for the first contest of 2019 and he delivered. Well done Ned, not an easy place to be but you did what we asked.
As to be expected, the first 10 minutes were a bit scrappy (should have packed the clash jumpers) but then we started to take control. Our backline worked very well together and they repealed almost every Waverley forward entry. Well done. Stay tight, stay strong, keep your feet.
With our backs and mids working well it was up to our forwards to start getting busy and they did. Some very good ball movement and an open fwd line = goals and by 1/4 time we had the game under control.
The 2nd 1/4 gave us a chance to kick with a good breeze, but we didn’t keep the fwd line open and we did unfortunately waste a lot of opportunities. Our backline was nearly impenetrable and the mids were working well together.
3rd 1/4 our focus was to keep the fwd line open and drive the ball through the middle of the ground. I think it took 8 seconds to get the first goal. Well done boys. Perfect set up, perfect start. Once again backs were on top and the mids were getting better.
4th 1/4. We went with our signature “mosquito” fwd line to start the final term. All our “smalls” together in the goal square and “talls” across half back. Needs a bit of work but it will work. With 10 mins to go, we placed Ned, Luke & James Keys in the fwd goal square. Once again needs some more work but 2 great options for us to have up our sleeve for the season ahead.
Overall, a good start to our season, but we still have a lot of work to do. Communication, being prepared to switch across our backline, keeping fwd line open, hands in the air when leading, coming to the bench for a quick rest are just a few things we need to work on. Our ball security was great when the boys were tackled, the feed out backwards worked well and some of the ball movement was great to watch.
I hope the boys enjoyed the win after a tough season last year.
This week we host Bentleigh, a team we know and they know us. This will be the test that we need to see how well the boys can gel and take on a good opponent that have played together for the past 4 seasons.
Overall a good first up game, but we have a long long way to go.
GO ROVERS
