After a tight first two games, we traveled to Dingley expecting a close encounter with the Dingoes. The first quarter was tight with no goals scored and our boys finding it hard to adjust to the smaller ground.
What occurred over the following 3 quarters was the best football the boys have played since starting together in under 8s and brought a huge smile to the coaches, parents and players. The messaging and focus at training around handballing to create space, moving the ball faster and looking for targets to kick to, clicked into action.
In the second quarter we kicked 4 goals with captains Liam Farr and Henry O’Keefe marshalling the boys to stay in positions, look for the loose player and hitting targets to allow scoring. Ben Montgomery, Harry Haines and Anthony Rotarangi who was filling in as 18th player from team Strachan took advantage of the continued movement of the ball into the forward line to score the goals.
The Dingley players didn’t expect this blitz in the second quarter and we went to half time full of confidence. The third quarter was similar to the second with the boys kicking another 4 goals. What was even more impressive in this quarter was the relentless tackling and pressure we put on Dingley. Everytime the ball went into defence we marked it, smothered and tackled to free the ball and drive it forward again.
Two players setting the example of pressure and tackling were James Di Nicola and Joe Whelan who played their best games of the year. In the forward line James Jebb and Hewie Sawatzki completed the job with 2 goals each. Lachlan Curtis did some great team play in the forward line with big tackles holding the ball in and passing to team mates who scored goals.
Heading into the final quarter the boys were confident, but a little sore. Our boys showed great discipline in sticking to the game plan and continued to play superb team football.
Final quarter was very enjoyable as we had Shae Newey, Joe Whelan, Kobe Knight, Thomas Strickland all given another quarter in the forward line and chance to have some fun and kick goals. Shae Newey scored the first of the quarter and then Joe kicking the final with a snap from the boundary line that will go down as a contender for goal of the year. Kobe, Thomas, Henry and James D all maintained the pressure in the forward line and kept the ball in to allow the control of play.
To keep Dingley goalless on this tiny ground and with the talent they had in the team was an amazing effort. Well done to the boys and we are looking forward to continued improvement next week.
Thanks to Anthony Rotarangi for playing today who did a great job.
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