Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Lightning Premiership

Conditions were cold and muddy for the Lightening Premiership to complete the season. The long season had taken its toll, with a number of players being unavailable, either injured or sick.  Messages from the coaches to the team prior to the tournament were to take some risks and use the central corridors to move the ball forward. Sadly, the short game format and the long gaps between games didn’t suit the boys, and despite some valiant efforts and outstanding passages of play, Fitzroy struggled to find their mojo against each of the teams they played.

Fitzroy vs Canterbury B

The Fitzroy defence was under pressure for most of this game against Canterbury B as the boys took time to settle. At half time, Lance praised the efforts of the backline. Standout players in this game were Darcy, Tom Ward, Dom, Noah Dekker, Sam Ward, Alex, Noah Cameroux, Lachie and Jack. Final scores were Fitzroy 0.0.0 – Canterbury B 2.0.14

Fitzroy vs Camberwell 2

The boys looked more settled against Camberwell 2. With play opening up, the ball was in Fitzroy’s forward line a number of times. As the boys picked out targets, Alex kicked the team’s first goal. The boys struggled with the larger size of the opposition players however and couldn’t match Camberwell on the score line. Standout players in this game were Stanley, Lucas, Leo, Laird, Alex, Kyle, Max, Josh, Yianni and Mason. Final scores were Fitzroy 1.0.6 – Camberwell 3.2.20

Fitzroy vs Glen Iris V

The long break between games did Fitzroy no favours, as evidenced in the final game against Glen Iris V. Despite battling hard, the boys couldn’t match the pace and size of Glen Iris and scoring opportunities were hard to come by. Standout players in this game were Darcy, Dom, Mason, Alex, Laird, Tom Markham and Sam Clarke. Final scores were something like Fitzroy 0.1.1 – Camberwell 3.0.18


At the end of the game, John reminding the boys that they’d showed a steady improvement throughout the season and the Lightening Premiership was all about having fun, not about the scoreboard. There were three cheers for the coaches and support staff, the players and the parents. A few players and parents stayed on to watch Camberwell 1 win the premiership, but most left for the warmth of home. 

Parents and team wait for the first game.
Lance addresses the boys before the game.
The coaching panel watch on ...
Alex tears away from the pack ...
Some of the team's youngest supporters
Master photographer, Kym, prepares for his next shot ... 
Noah Cameroux vs two Cantebury players ...
Tom Ward being chased by everyone!
Another trademark Noah Dekker tackle ...
Darcy was in terrific form all day ...
Sam Clarke in action ...
Laird gets another of his many kicks.
Josh tries to crash through the pack ...
A confident Jack goes one handed ...
Mason under pressure ...
Leo makes a break for it ...
Lucas made the most of his opportunities up forward ...






Monday, August 3, 2015

Round 15- Balwyn vs Fitzroy

It was an enthusiastic Fitzroy side that arrived for the final game of the home and away season against Balwyn. With a fast ground, clear skies and a slight north westerly breeze, conditions were ideal for football. The team warmed up, then gathered for the end of season team photo. In the rooms, John talked about how closely Fitzroy had lost its last two encounters with Balwyn and stressed that if the boys wanted a different result today, it was up to them make it happen. He asked the boys to work in pairs, with each player being available to help the other. Having won the toss and electing to kick with the wind, co-captains, Sam Ward and Jules, led the team out. The game started in spectacular style with Noah Cameroux winning an early clearance and Stanley and Jules teaming to get the ball to Max, who kicked to Lucas. Having dodged two opponents (and after a moment of deliberation about which foot to score with), Lucas kicked the team’s first goal. In what seemed like seconds later, Alex was unlucky not to score another goal, before following up again with another minor score.  Back from injury, Joel was continuing his dominant form in the ruck, while Darcy was getting in front of his opponent to win possession of the ball. Despite suffering from illness, Sam Ward was looking dangerous in the forward line, while Tom Markham was showing flair by leading out and attacking the ball in defence. Also defending strongly, Mason won possession of the ball and kicked to Alex, who moved the ball forward. Consistent as always, Laird and Kyle were getting possessions, while Mason, in the action again, took a strong contested mark and kicked to Jules (who was playing strongly all over the ground).  Pairing in the last line of defence, Lachie marked and handballed to fast running Jack, who bouncing the ball once, cleared the ball out the flanks. At quarter time, the coaching panel were delighted. Team Statistician, Gerry, noted that the boys had kept Balwyn scoreless, managed 17 tackles for the quarter and had got the ball inside their 50 metre zone 6 times. Paul praised the boys for playing in front but stressed that they needed to keep doing this for the rest of the game. The second quarter started with Fitzroy kicking into the wind and Joel and Leo getting early possessions. Both teams were tackling hard and Jack, continuing his cracking form from the first quarter, took an impressive overhead mark in the last line of defence. Darcy was contesting strongly (winning a free kick), while Joe Martin, having come off the bench, was getting his first possessions for game.  In dashing style, Max won the ball at centre half back, broke free of a tackle, bounced, and then kicked deep into the forward line.  Stanley marked on the wing and kicked to Jules, while Kyle was working hard to create opportunities. Jack and Tom Markham were teaming well at on the half back line while Dom was beginning to have an impact with his strong marking. After chasing his faster opponent with the ball for more than 50 metres, Tom Ward managed to wear him down and apply a strong tackle to slow play, while Jules, having a Lionel Messi moment, wove his way past four Balwyn players to move the ball forward. Darcy and Lucas were teaming well on the half forward flank, while Sam Clarke was looking dangerous near the goal line. At the other end of the ground, Lachie was defending strong at full back, giving nothing away to his opponent.  At half time, Gerry noted that the boys had managed 19 tackles for the quarter (an improvement on the first) but had not managed to score from their 4 inside-50 incursions. The Fitzroy defence was praised for doing an ‘outstanding’ job (as was Joel, who, due to recurring foot soreness, was to sit out the remainder of the game and the season). John addressed the boys and asked them to keep up the intensity of play in the second half (reminding them that they’d been in a dominant position against Balwyn at half time before but had lost focus later in the game). He asked that they boys  keep the forward line open, noting that Lucas rarely lost a one-on-one contest when he had possession of the ball.  The third quarter started with Noah Dekker taking a strong mark in defence, while Tom Ward was continuing his attacking play at the ball. Noah Cameroux burst out of a pack to kick the ball to Lucas, who did his best to evade four Balwyn players as he tried to score.  Max and Kyle were applying impressive tackles, while Jules was getting kicks and disposing of the ball with razor sharp precision.  Dom was having a terrific quarter. If he wasn’t clearing the ball from the centre, he was winning the hard ball gets, acting as a one man wall in defence or dominating in the ruck duels. To top it off, he took one of the best contested marks of the season, flying high above the pack to grab the ball.  Joe Martin was letting the team know he was back, winning possession of the ball a number of times, while a sly ‘Tom Hawkins’ style tap off the ground, saw Jack get the ball to Laird, who kicked forward. The quarter ended with scores level (Balwyn having evaded Fitzroy’s formidable defensive barrier to kick a goal).  As they huddled around, Paul spoke with the boys about the importance of playing in front, while Gerry noted that while Fitzroy had managed to get the ball into their 50 metre zone 6 times for the quarter, they hadn’t managed to score (despite heroic efforts from Lucas).  Sam Clarke’s strong quarter was noted, while Jack was thanked for having his best game of the year. John urged the boys to keep up their hardness and intensity at the ball and to try and ‘make it happen’. The fourth quarter started with Dom clearing the ball from the centre and kicking to Yianni, while pressure from Sam Ward saw Balwyn kick the ball out of bounds on the full.  Mason was handballing with precision and Jules was continuing to duck and weave his way through the Balwyn players as he took the ball forward. Alex was hustling hard to win possession in defence, while Josh was looking dangerous on the forward line. Stanley took a strong mark, while Leo was continuing his fine form from the previous week. Yianni, impressive all over the ground, kicked another minor score for the team in the dying seconds of the game. Sadly, Fitzroy could not match the goal kicked by Balwyn earlier in the quarter, which had put them in front. Balwyn had won again but had done so demonstrating a high degree of sportsmanship and fairness.  Both teams lined to shake hands and Max was awarded the opposition team medal for his excellent performance. Back in the rooms, John told the boys that despite their loss, they should be very proud of the way that they’d played all season and it had been an honour to coach them. He explained that progress is not always measured by wins and losses and that the boys had made significant advances throughout the year.  He thanked his fellow coaches and support staff (to a big round of applause from the parents) and noted that the boys and the parents had bonded really well together over the course of the season. He expressed his desire the group would stay together for the next year. With the day ending on a high note, players and parents left to grab a hot-dog and plan for the uncertainties of the following weekend’s Lightning Premiership.

Final scores:

Q1: Fitzroy 1.3.9 – Balwyn 0.0.0
Q2: F 0.0.9 - B 0.2.2
Q3: F 0.0.9 – B 1.1.9
Q4: F 0.1.10 - B 1.0.15

Proud Dad Lance with the mighty Kyle.
Injured backman Will arrives to the cheer the boys on... sadly missed on the field
It's those handsome Winstanley boys ...
The dynamic duo, Scott and Lachie ...
Team photo with coaches ...
Team photo sans coaches ...
Co-captains Sam Ward and Jules lead the boys out ...
Noah Dekker shows his support for indigenous ALF hero, Adam Goodes.
Jack getting in the action early on ...
Lachie attacking out of the back-line ...
Stanley's impressive new hair style ...
Welcome back Joe Martin!
Noah Dekker gets his kick off under pressure (lots of pressure!)
A composed Sam Clarke in action ...
Jack clears the ball from the last line of defence ...
A determined Darcy keeps the ball in play for Fitzroy ...
Leo continuing his sparkling form from the previous week ...
A powerful kick from the wonderful Yianni ...
Tom Ward's mighty 50 meter run ... his pressure was just about to pay off!
Sav watches on as Alex creates some more magic ...
Dom takes one of the best contested marks of the season ...
Come back here .... there's no escaping Jules! 
Tom Markham, exploring his attacking style of play ...
Tom wins another ruck contest (with scores level)
Disbelief from Sean as Balwyn score in the final quarter ...
A great game but the boys ponder what could have been ...
Max wins another accolade to top off an excellent season ...
The Cameroux lads, partners in crime!


Monday, July 27, 2015

Round 14 - Fitzroy vs Camberwell 1

A cold north-westerly wind greeted the boys for their third time match-up against the top ranked Camberwell 1.  Confident with their steady improvement throughout the season, Fitzroy’s pre-game warm-up was crisp and business like. With a number of players injured, including Joel and Will, the boys were informed that there would be no interchange for the game and that each player would be on the field for all four quarters.  In the rooms, John noted that the boys had reached a stage where they didn’t need to be reminded each week of the common messages and for this game they needed to ‘move the ball and spread’. He suggested that once the ball had cleared the backline down the flanks, the boys shouldn’t be afraid to bring the ball forward down the centre.  Team captains, Laird and Kyle, led the boys out to a rock stars reception. Camberwell elected to kick against the wind (CBD end). The game started with Fitzroy clearing the ball from the centre and Tom Ward and Darcy getting early possessions.  Leo was working hard in the packs and Alex was giving every indication that he’d have a good day, with some early kicks and marks. Kyle did his one-on-one ‘thing’ to get possession of the ball on the wing and kicked forward, while Laird was setting into his usual high work rate.  Sam Ward and Jack were getting into the action, both getting kicks.  Camberwell kicked a goal, however minutes later Dom and Max paired to get the ball to Lucas, who swooped on the ball to equalize for Fitzroy. With ball back in play, Noah Cameroux stopped one of the larger Camberwell players dead in their tracks with a mighty tackle, while Alex, Darcy and Sam Ward seemed to be winning possessions with ease against their larger opponents.  Yianni was doing mighty work in the ruck and narrowly missed kicking a goal. Mason marked on the wing and kicked forward, while Tom Ward seemed to be everywhere, creating opportunities for the team. The quarter ended with scores level. Paul praised the boys for their tackling pressure. Team statistician, Gerry, noted that Fitzroy had managed 7 inside 50’s to Camberwell’s 2, which was a terrific effort. Unfortunately, Fitzroy hadn’t managed to get the same ‘return of investment’ in terms of score for their efforts, as compared to Camberwell. The second quarter started with Camberwell clearing the ball from the centre and quickly kicking their second goal, despite Sam Clarke, Lachie and Tom Ward’s heroic efforts on the last line of defence. Back in play, Sam Ward and Kyle teamed to get the ball to Stanley, who took a mark. With the Fitzroy defence under pressure, Noah Cameroux and Leo continued to work hard to slow the Camberwell advances, while Sam Clarke marked the ball on the last line of defence for Fitzroy.  Dom won a free kick and Tom Ward created a stoppage on the half back line by smothering the ball. Sam Ward and Noah Dekker were tackling hard, while Lachie was defending strongly at full back.  Sam Ward, Darcy, Jack and Stanley all teamed well to move the ball forward, while Max was using his pace to run the ball into the open space. The quarter ended with Alex kicking a minor score (but being a major contributor for the team). Despite Fitzroy’s best efforts however (and a cracking quarter from Darcy), Camberwell had managed to use the wind to their advantage and kick three goals. In the rooms at half time, Gerry noted that statistically, the boys were continuing to work very hard, however Camberwell had managed 8 inside 50’s to Fitzroy’s 2 and this had hurt Fitzroy. John urged the boys to make the most of the wind in the next quarter and reminded the team that they could easily make up the three goal deficit. He asked the boys to tackle with both arms, given the larger size and greater strength of their opponents. Paul told the boys to ‘engage their body’ into their tackling. The third quarter started with Dom clearing the ball from the centre and Max winning praise from the coaches for his second, third efforts.  Laird continued to battle hard for possession and Sam Ward and Tom Ward were teaming well on the half back flank.  Kyle, Max, Dom and Lucas were all looking dangerous up forward but committed defence from Camberwell was restricting their ability to score goals. Leo was working hard on the wing while Stanley was doing a fine Nat Fyfe impersonation, winning contests in dashing style, like multiple players in one. The quarter ended with Fitzroy keeping Camberwell scoreless but with both Noah Cameroux and Mason coming off the ground injured, victims of their own fearless attack on the ball.  Gerry told the boys that they’d got the ball into their 50 metre zone 9 times and they’d managed 41 tackles for the quarter – an impressive effort. John urged the boys to make the most of their last quarter of football to be played on their home ground.  The final quarter started with Leo winning praise from the coaches for his best game of the season. Laird, Sam Ward and Alex were continuing their impressive work rate to win countless possessions, while Dom and Yianni were winning the respect of all, playing their critical role as the team’s big men. Jack was putting pressure on his larger opponent at centre half back while Noah Dekker was fearless with his tackling. Sam Clarke was continuing to do some classy work in defence. Despite pressuring the Fitzroy backline for most of the quarter, Camberwell were restricted to a single goal, in no small part due to the fierce tackling of Lachie, Tom Ward, Kyle and Darcy (although all the boys were playing their part).  At the game’s end, both teams lined up to congratulate each other on what had been a fast paced and skilful game.  Kyle was awarded the opposition team medal for his virtuoso performance and after shaking hands, the boys ran back to the rooms to escape the cold.  John told the boys there was ‘a lot to like’ about the way they were finishing off the season. They’d improved their performance each time against the large, fast and skilful Camberwell side and were now ‘super competitive’.  Kyle was thanked again for his efforts and ‘Big time’ Max was the popular recipient of the footy cards, with his athletic prowess and ability to lift the team being called out.  The boys left the ground, looking forward the next week’s re-match against Balwyn.

Final scores:

Q1: Fitzroy 1.0.6 – Glen Iris 1.0.6
Q2: F 0.1.7 - GI 3.3.27
Q3: F 0.2.9 – GI 0.0.27
Q4: F 0.0.9 - GI 1.4.37

A pensive Sam Clark before the game.
Watch out, it's the Irwin gang!
Sam Ward and Max run out to a rock stars reception ...
Dom soars high in the ruck ...
Players jostle for position in the goal square ...
Opposition players hope they never meet Kyle in a one-on-one contest ...  
Leo in cracking form ...
Darcy, super competitive all day ...
Mason throws his body into the contest ...
Stanley vs four Camberwell players ... not good odds (for them).
Noah Dekker marks under pressure ...
Noah Cameroux about to boot the leather off the ball ...
Rebel spectator, Sue Ward, breaks rank with her choice of jacket ... 
Yianni a study in fierce determination at the ball ...
Fearless as always ... Noah Dekker takes on a player twice his size ...
Key play-maker, Sam Ward, breaks a tackle ...
Super athletic Max in action ...
Tom Ward wins yet another possession ...
Alex, in fantastic form all day ...
Stanley (AKA Nat Fyth) in action ...
Hard working Laird shows how its done ...
Tom Ward teaming with Sam Clarke to look for opportunities ...
Jack, giving nothing away in defence ...
Desperate tackling from Tom Ward & Lachie ...
Lucas snaps for goal ...
Leo fighting hard for possession of the ball ...
Rugged defender, Lachie, congratulates the Camberwell boys 
Well deserved Kyle!