It looked like we were in for a wet game on Sunday, but things improved quickly by the time we arrived at Corrigan Oval for the match against Dingley. We were looking forward to putting in a good performance to finish off the home and away season to be at our peak for the upcoming Lighting Carnival. We changed up our pre-game routine to ensure the energy levels were high, so we loaded up the boys with some pre-game snakes, just in case the Fruit Loops hadn’t already kicked in. I also bought along the boombox and introduced the boys to “Eye of the Tiger” to fire up the warm up – I’m not sure which I was more disappointed that the boys didn’t know – the song, or the word, boombox!
Elliot and Spencer were our deserving captains today. Elliot has great skills, reads the play well and finds space in all parts of the ground. Spencer has had a breakout past month where he has been very focused and is playing his best footy demonstrating excellent marking, skills, contested ball and teamwork.
The snakes had the desired effect in the first quarter with Charlie Q and Charlie H both having a great quarter with multiple hard ball gets and some good run to get things moving in the midfield. Dingley were putting in the strongest defense efforts we’ve seen this season with strong tackling and numbers to the ball hampering our ability to get into our fast flowing style of football. Elliot and Cooper were getting amongst it, and Darcy and Liam H were holding down our defense well. Up forward Charlie Q combined well with Tom who got it on to Marlon who did well to open our scoring.
In the second, Freddie was reading the play well and presenting up forward to give our mids some options from quick clearances. He fought hard all quarter and was rewarded with an excellent goal. Charlie Q and Charlie H continued their influence on the game, and also combined well in another passage of play along the wing. Felix was standing tall up forward also, and took a couple of great marks. Will chased hard and laid a strong tackle forcing the turnover, he got a great pass to Jock who found space to get on his left and drilled a great goal.
The third was a great quarter to watch with both teams going toe to toe trying to establish the ascendancy. There was super strong tackling from both teams, but the rugby scrums that had tended to form in the first half were starting to break down and both teams were able to find good passages of run and space. Rovers players from all around the ground were contributing well, with Will, Thomas and Spencer getting heavily involved and having a crack in the contests. Lachie followed their lead and picked up a number of important possessions. Charlie H was continuing a fine game and his efforts all day were rewarded with a super goal. George, Darcy and Liam H showed their strength and drive and found plenty of the footy to setup a number of inside 50s.
The great football continued into the last quarter and there was no let up to the intensity and effort. Charlie Q was involved again and passed well to Thomas who contested well and took a great mark. Tom was defending well down back and put in some important tackles. Darcy was really switched on, and had a ripper quarter controlling the midfield. Spencer created a number of opportunities up forward, hustling and marking well, and was unlucky not to have hit the scoreboard hard. Harrison N roved well on the midfield, taking a number of possessions and using them well. Freddie rounded out the quarter with an excellent mark.
The best game of the season so far from the team, with strong contributions from the entire team and a willingness to find their confidence and have a go. Looking forward to Lighting Carnival this week to finish off a great year.
Steve
TEAMWORK PASSION FUN RESPECT
#GoRovers
