Coming off a strong win it Round 3, the team travelled to Mordialloc-Braeside looking for their first away win for the season. Would the team suffer from a “we won last week” hangover or could coach Julian’s words of wisdom keep everyone focused as had happened the week before?
The first quarter started off reasonably well and was evenly-contested, yet low-scoring. Cruz was strong early, with his raking kicks driving the ball forward on several occasions. Eddie and Jackson B were also strong out of the backline. At quarter time, although not registering a score, the boys appeared to be in the match.
The second quarter saw the opposition kick an early goal to jump to a seemingly strong lead in what was thus far a low-scoring game. Julian began to look a little worried on the sideline, hoping the flood-gates weren’t about to open. However the backline stood up strongly with Sebastian doing some strong work in his first game for the season, supported by Eddie and Kai. On-ballers Cooper and Kit worked hard through the quarter, with Ethan providing plenty of run and Charlie taking a strong mark. Late in the quarter the ball was run well into the forward line and Will took a strong mark. He lined up confidentially for the first real chance of a major and a chance for the team to go in at half-time in touch on the scoreboard. With two full sessions of extra Saturday tutorage under Julian’s watchful eye including slow-motion video analysis of his kicking style, it seemed a certainty. The ball sailed through for a point. The team came in at half time with a solitary point on the board and coach Julian looked to the sky for some words of wisdom to try and inspire a stronger second-half performance.
The boys continued to try hard, however they just couldn’t quite match it through the third quarter. Josh and Ashton worked hard out of the backline, while Jackson N, Archie and Eddy worked hard through the midfield. Cruz continued to work hard, now out of the backline and was working towards what ended up being his best four quarter effort so far. Multiple opposition goals put the game virtually out of reach by the time the ¾ time siren rang. Julian asked the boys to show some fight in the last quarter and get something out of the game.
Momentum seemed to be with the opposition, while Jackson B, Kit & Boston worked hard to try and keep the ball in the forward line when it came down. A goal for the day would at least make the day somewhat worthwhile- but could someone stand up? Enter Caelen in the dying seconds of the game, marking strongly but a long way from home for an under 9 footballer. He lined up with confidence and kicked truly. The boys got around him and they celebrated like a Tigers’ fan winning a home and away match (before last year).
Hopefully the team can take their finishing enthusiasm into this week’s game against Ormond and make Mothers’ day far more enjoyable for Kelly.
The awards on the day went to Will, Sebastian, Caelan and Ethan
