Despite a valiant effort by Balwyn to match the skills of our boys, the most challenging opponent for the day was the lip numbing, bone chilling, ferocious wind that blew citywards for most of the match. This match reporter had only a brown paper sandwich bag to document this game on, so this report will be pithy!
Bruce’s message to the boys in the rooms at the start of the game was to ‘improve the ‘inside 50s’ up to 30% conversion to goals, and to stat up 25 x 1%ers for each of the quarters. The win of the toss suggested this was very achievable, given they were kicking with the wind. Five goals kicked by Jules, Otto (2), Orien and Sam, plus a heady eight points represented the challenging conditions, even with the wind at their backs. With Balwyn yet to score, this first term effort of 16 ‘inside 50s’ for 5 goals, and 24 -1%ers needed to be improved on! Bruce’s message to the boys was that they would be tested against the wind, to look for lots of short options, and run, run, run.
The boys responded and worked hard and fast against the wind. Great kicking, fantastic tackling, consistent pressure, with Bruce praising their setting up of the zone. They “blocked, chased and smothered” and Bruce praised their “great effort against the wind”. 26 x 1%ers and 11 inside 50s contributed to a whopping half time score of 7.13 (55) to Balwyn’s 0.2 points. Orien kicked both goals, Luke was everywhere the ball went, tackling and tackling and tackling, Chris and Matty supported each other with persistent, determined and gritty football, Evan and George had a great quarter, Harry S had a great game and was involved in many a set up for the forward line, Otto took some of his trademark spekkies, David and Sam were integral to the ball remaining in Fitzroy’s control, Levi, Dom, Harry H , Brendon, Liam, Jack, Liam and Aiden took charge of the ball when Balwyn got it to their half of the ground, and Julian, Minh, Jade put a fantastic effort in.
The third quarter score of 12.17 (89), keeping Balwyn scoreless, with a work rate that improved on their first half with 34 x 1%ers and 10 ‘inside 50s’ for 5 goals, better clearances, tackling and overall a “great work ethic”, Bruce and the boys seemed pleased with how the day was going! The final term was icing on the cake, extremely disappointing for Balwyn, a boon to our percentage and as it turned out, yielded a score that took us a step up to second on the ladder. The boys continued to work hard for each other, shepherded brilliantly and thoughtfully. The forward line combination of Jules, Orien and Otto kept up the pressure when needed, David continued to win the clearances, the onballers worked “superbly” and the defenders were tight and disciplined. Goals for the game were kicked by Otto (5), Jules, Orien (5), Sam, Luke (2), David (2) with the final score of 17.19 (121) to 2.3 (15) (someone kicked the first goal in the third quarter-not sure who?).
The next three games will be against tougher opponents, but if the boys keep up the teamwork and work ethic delivered in this round, they’ll be well grounded for their journey into the finals! Go Roy Boys.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Round 12
