It was an early morning start down in Mordy as the Rovers entourage travelled down the Bay in good spirits. The kids were showing no signs of cobwebs, but the parents looked in need of a coffee or 2. Especially our warm up coach Matt DS whose job it was to channel their energy. The volunteer support for the Rovers U8s is second to none as Konrad filled in his Goal Umpire Scorecard and collected his science jacket, Danny filled in the DOB/signatures list which is not an easy task at U8s level and Melissa DS was busy on the phone making sure things ran like clockwork!
Our empire Marty gave his thoughts prior to the match “Big game, I’m a bit nervous but I’ve got to stay focused and get in the zone”. The game kicked off and the Mordy team proved they were in the zone with a 6 pointer within 30 seconds of the bounce. Rovers responded with a strong mark taken by Hunter, but Mordy stretched their lead with another 6 pointer but this time there was plenty of controversy as a Rovers defender seemed to touch it over the line. There could be an argument for VAR to be introduced next season….
Rovers started to settle with Ernie and Hannah putting in some tenacious tacking and Fraser showing some great ball running and distribution in midfield. Poppy picked up a knock in the hustle but was back on the pitch in no time. Tommy Beasley got the Rovers 1st 6 pointer of the game with a superb swivel to bamboozle the Mordy defence followed by a deft dink over the last defender. Quarter 2 was a low scoring affair as things tightened up all over the pitch. One of our Where’s Wally helpers was clean through but forgot what team he was on and hand balled back to his usual red and white mate when it was easier to score. Harvey was heavily in the action, as was Hannah who was taking no prisoners!
At half time our coach Sam explained to the team how he wanted the midfield to become the “Wall of Death” to which Carter responded matter of factly that it should be known as the “Death Chamber”. Only at U8s football…. Mordy started the brighter in Quarter 3, but then Hudson took a great mark before kicking to Jack who then hand balled to Elijah who cleared to midfield. The rearguard showed great spirit with Poppy diving on the ball to prevent a certain score for Mordy.
Tommy Edwards then dominated play for the rest of the quarter running the Mordy midfield ragged. Running with the ball in one hand, offering the Mordy players the ball but then weaving passed them as if they didn’t exist. It was magic to watch and it was no surprise when he found our Where’s Wally No.3 upfront who kept his composure to notch our 2nd goal. Hopefully he didn’t get too much stick from his mates for that one! The final break saw Katrina break open the bags of snakes much to the delight of the Rovers who appeared in the need for a sugar rush. Sam sent them on their way to the last quarter with a very apt send off “go and have some fun”.
The snakes seemed to have the desired effect as Hudson V kicked the longest punt of the game from midfield and Tommy Edwards continuing to weave like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Thomas Bentley did a great handball to Harvey as the link up play improved. The final siren went and the teams were left to GG each other at the end and the boys had to explain to coach Sam what that meant. Our umpire Marty came off the field looking weary so I asked if he had taken any stick. He states “yes one player called me an idiot! So I warned him any more of that and I’ll give you a yellow card”.
Oh the joys of U8 footy, but one things for sure, Marty, the volunteers, our coach and players will all be back next week for the love of the game!
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