Scorecard. Q1. Q2. Q3. Q4. TOTAL
Rams: 0.3 1.1 2.4. 0.0. 3.8.26
Maroubra Red: 1.1. 2.1. 0.0. 2.3. 5.5.35
The resultant change in conditions, with howling wind down the ground, a muddy centre square and the very big Old’s Park were too much for the team to overcome. Maroubra were able to lock the game down and create the ‘pack attack’ on the ball preventing us clearing it and create the running game.
Players battled to get the ball out but with ineffective handball we could not clear the packs. It was a frustrating game for all concerned. James L returning from 5 weeks off had little opportunity being starved of the ball and so had virtually no impact. Charlie at CHF, likewise, starved of chances. Interestingly it was new player Toby B that bobbed up with a good goal when shifted to Full forward…. Against the run of play and against the wind in the second quarter leaving us just 10 points in arrears at half time.
With a concerted effort and an inspirational goal by little Ollie who neatly roved the ball to slot the goal and another to Alec, we led by six points at the last change….. but looking at a stiff wind in the last quarter to kick into.
With valiant efforts by JB at fullback, Edward, Alex W and Toby W-J, Luka and an ‘extra man’ Charlie in the backs, we held them out up until the last few minutes, forcing 3 points to retain the lead for the majority of the quarter until they goaled to lead by three…. Still not impossible but we needed to get clean ball from the middle. It was not to be and in an area we have dominated all year, the centre bounce in a quagmire.
Our dominant player for the year, Alexander T, was well held for the first time and he was unable to clear the ball because of close checking by Maroubra. Alec who was recovering from a shoulder injury played forward instead of the mids, meaning Justin was required to play at the centre bounces, while he is most suited to the wing.
However, there were two pleasing factors from our mids. Without doubt Harry was best on ground. His fitness and determination saw him cover a huge amount of ground gathering kicks and using the ball well. He is smart with his ball distribution and his handling and marking was outstanding for the conditions. Secondly, Lawson by not having the effects of a tough League game the day before, was excellent, especially in the first half. He has learnt the structures of acting as a defending mid, and swept the defensive line well, driving us into attack and indirectly this led to our first goal into the wind.
Billy, Ben, Justin, Alec and Ollie battled up forward with very limited opportunities as the ball lived between the two half back line most of the day. Izzy saw almost nothing of the ball such was the nature of the game. The third quarter gave us hope as the forwards capitalised on the ball being there. Alexander K from the 12’s did his bit in the forward in the 2nd quarter into the wind.
To sum up.
It was a remarkable achievement to even get to the GF and have just one defeat in the home and away games. Starting the season with just 11 players and relying on the 12’s to give us a starting line up was hard…. But we won games well. The Innaburra recruitment drive, plus Justin ‘appearing’, Harry returning and later Izzy signing up meant 17 on the books. Many bigger clubs have 20 or more in teams. The challenge was to develop the inexperienced boys to blend into the team by teaching both skills and strategies in a short period of time. Our season saw us with a 400+% score, many times holding opposition teams to virtually a nil score, kicking 60-100 points regularly.
Our game was based on handball to clear the packs, often with 2,3 or 4 to clear the zone. Under normal weather conditions, no team had an answer, and we defeated the 2nd placed team Cronulla 78-0 in the latter part of the season.
To the new boys
Justin L: Great skills in gathering and handling, fast and good reader of the game
Lawson R: Worked his way into the mids and developed wonderfully every week; hard; determined
Alex W: A natural half back flanker who never stopped chasing and kicking us out of defence
Toby B: Has fine-tuned the shepherd and now attacks the ball strongly; goal in GF a just reward
Ben L: Developed into a ‘two way’ running winger, who tackled hard and had good ball skills.
Izzy: With very limited experience acted as a ‘foil’ in the goal square. Good hands and will develop
To the ‘experienced’ boys
Luka: Has become a very reliable defender; attacks the ball hard and backs up for handball well.
Edward: [C] Reliable back; reads the game magnificently; hard at the ball, tough; plays well above size.
Toby W-J Moved to defence, teamed beautifully with Edward; positioned himself to give/take handball
JB: Had his best season in 3 years as he gained confidence to attack the ball and use his body.
Alexander T: New to us this year; fast, great ball skills, Association B & F; Lovely tap work; wins the ball.
Harry: Skilled ball player with fitness to match; reads the game; makes smart decisions.
Alec: Fast; works hard to get the ball, nice foot skills and a valuable mid in our structure
Billy: Forward who can suss out the goals; developing marking/ball gathering skills; enthusiastic
Charlie: [C] Mid or forward; Outstanding defender as a sweeping mid; very capable near goals.
Ollie: Small, determined, team orientated player; understand strategies to ‘switch play’
James L: [C] Skilled player; mid with football brain; became our forward focus for goals.
Our team was co-captained by Edward, Charlie and James L. All brought their special leadership skills to the team through leading by example, positioning players and ball use.
FOOTNOTE: James L backed up in the 12’s GF and dominated. 4 goals, three handballs to set up goals and a kick to the player to kick one in an 8 goal to 2 win over Miranda. Compensated for a quiet 13’s game.