Ring ring…ring ring….
“Hello, Dimma speaking…”
“Hey!!! Dimma!!! It’s Sheeds! Legendary coach…you know the one…Listen. Closely. I have in my hot little hand the latest Coles specials pamphlet…it comes every week, and I get soooo excited…. Did you know that at the moment, you can get dental floss for 65% off? I mean….seriously?!!! 65%. That is amazing. Hasn’t happened in years. I went down and bought five packs. Tell you what mate – you stick with me, Dimma, and I’ll get you places. Show me a deal and I’ll show you the way!”
“Um Sheeds – I don’t really floss but I do brush my teeth vigorously, twice a day… Hope this is ok, but it’s only with a manual toothbrush, like people have done for the past 80 years.but my teeth are good – I only lost three teeth last year – but they were the back ones, so no one really notices. You have amazing teeth, Sheeds – sort of like Warnie – inspiring stuff…”
“Really? Thanks – I guess. I just wanted to talk to you tell you about the game on Sunday. I know you were there, but my family gets sick of me telling them every night about how good all the kids are, and giving them a blow by blow account, so I called you!
“Sheeds….”
“Great! Well here we go. So, I was there nice and early. About 6am. Sun was shining, and well, a great day to get the guns out! Fi was her usual amazing self, having everyone organised and ready to play. So where was I? Oh yes, So the Captains on the day were Ben and Jason (well done!) and gee whiz, they were fired up and getting the team going….and in the first quarter, the Dingley team were certainly on. Big time.
“Quick flicks out to spare players and big kicks – and they put on I reckon two goals before we had time to blink! But they didn’t have their own way, Dimma, no way! Our kids took the bit between their teeth and chowed down on some juicy Dingley players by way of amazing tackling, intercept marking and pressuring them every time they got the ball! Our defence did an amazing job, repelling waves of attacks – namely, Arlo, Jason, Jacob, Alex, Tom and Harry – they were absolutely flat out. Tell you what – gee they did well. Lots of repeat entries….
“In the mids, Niko, Tim, Cate, Seb, Angus and Sam were doing their utmost to stem the flow and towards the end of the quarter, I could sense in my little toe that the tide was turning. The forwards didn’t have a lot to do in that quarter, but Diesel, Jack, Xavier, Ben, Teddy and Charlie were fantastic at concentrating on the play and getting ready for their turn it if came.
“Then Dimma, the 2nd quarter!! Well – it was like a light got turned on! Jason, Harry and Tom in the mids were driving it long, and Cate, Seb and Angus were providing magnificent leads and when the ball spilled out, there were Tim, Niko and Sam putting heaps of pressure on. Great effort! And what happened next? Long ball in, ball spills, FREE KICK!!! Tim!! 15 metres out… pressure… GOOOOOAL!!!!! First goal of the year to the U9 Blues!!! Go Tim!!! Top goal. Then bang! Ball comes down again, falls to Sam – little pirouette, side step and SNAP!!! Another goal – then the aeroplane celebration!! How good?!!! Great teamwork. Diesel, Jack and Xavier were doing a great job repelling Dingley’s forward thrusts, and our tackling machines, Ben, Charlie and Teddy were full on. Ben was great with his leads and kicks. SO.
“Half time Dimma. And you didn’t stuff up the wrist bands. For a change. I think you said it was like a well-oiled machine, but not sure about that – probably need to get some feedback from Matty and Josh on that one I reckon. So – emphasised the training drills – MAN UP! PRESSURE! WATCH THE BALL! MIDS PUSH OVER TO LOCK IT IN!! The kids I tell you, were ready to go. Put EJ to shame, I did…. So third quarter – over to Diesel, Jack and Ben – looking for, and finding their teammates. Xavier and Charlie were winning holding the ball decisions seemingly at will. Teddy was still being the tackling machine he is and won his fair share of the ball. Great stuff Teddy!! Jason slotted one from 30 metres out – brilliant! The game was up for grabs!!
“Dingley slotted two goals in the last quarter which didn’t help, Dimma, but still – I tell you – Jason, Harry, Diesel, just awesome. And then Harry kicked to Alex, who in turn, passed to Cate who found Seb – what a play, and he slotted a great goal! I was so proud of everyone. Fantastic stuff. Sam came off with a head knock but was really brave and Xavier threw himself at everything. Alex was a tower of strength and Jacob’s ruck work when he was in there showed why he has a really bright future in footy – taps straight down the throat of the mids!! Loving that! Jack showed his goal kicking prowess with a beautiful snap on a tight angle – and Seb slotted his second. RAINING GOALS!!!! Cate’s three efforts in a row on the wing were a team standout and Ben and Jason had great games as Captains, showing the way. The final result doesn’t matter – it was a magnificent game for the team. Really showed heaps of promise…”
“Um…Sheeds…”
“Dimma! Hang on – I haven’t finished!! Thanks a lot to Josh (medic), Matty (runner who I reckon jogged about 15 kms for the game), Sash (very dapper goal umpire), Jayna (Umpy escort – important job) and Karen for amazing timekeeping….and the legendary provider of oranges and importantly snakes, Mia! And of course – Razor Ratcliffe for another outstanding job as umpire – particularly poignant in Umpire Appreciation Round. Awards went to Jason, Jack, Arlo and Cate – great games kids, well done!!!
“Dimma – have to go mate. Got a guy from work on the other phone, wanting to know if I want two more packs of floss …”
Click, beep, beep, beep
#goBlue #goRovers
