Round 3 - St Marys vs Fitzroy

 It was a cold, wet, muddy Anzac Day game for Fitzroy at Greensborough Park against the St Mary’s team.  In his pre-game address to the players John told the boys to have a ‘dead set crack’ at getting the ball (given the wet conditions), to play in front and ‘man up’.  John went on to outline the concept of the ‘1%’ers’ and of ‘pairing’ and the importance of the boys concentrating for the whole game. With that, team captains Jack and Noah led the team onto the ground, won the toss and elected to kick to the muddy north end of the ground. Both teams lined up and a minutes silence was observed in honor of Anzac Day.  An opening period of hard, scrappy play saw the ball moving down into Fitzroy’s forward line where suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye, Sam Clarke had the ball and kicked a goal. Shortly after, Kyle cleared the ball from the center, continuing his outstanding form from the previous week.  Jack marked the ball and kicked to Sam Clarke, who kicked to Lucas in the forward pocket. Lucas steadied and kicked a goal, his first for the Roys.  Following the center bounce, St Mary’s were suddenly on the attack. The ever-composed Sam Ward however was all class as he won back possession and kicked the ball forward.  After a period of hard, muddy play, Lucas showed his dominance again to kick another goal (his second for the quarter, in trying conditions). At the quarter time break, John and Paul praised the boys for playing in front and drew attention to Lucas’s two superb goals and Noah Cameroux’s determination to play in front. Paul stressed the importance of the boys getting the ball onto their boot quickly in the wet conditions. Team Statistician, Gerry, updated the boys on their stats for ‘1%’ers’ and of ‘pairing’ and commended the boys for their efforts. The second quarter started with some fearless play by Noah Dekker to try and win possession of the ball. Wet weather specialists, Alex, Tom Ward and Will were starting to assert an influence around the packs and Lucas took one of the few overhead marks of the day. It started to rain heavily.  Sam Ward was again outstanding in defense, winning possession after possession to move the ball forward (including some lovely pairing with Dom). Tom Markham laid a text-book tackle. Leo was working hard to get the ball out of the packs in the wet and Max was holding down the fort at Centre Half Back. At half time, John praised the boys for playing as a team and suggested that they were all working as vital links in the team ‘chain’.  He urged them not to let their lead slip away however (like the hapless Port Adelaide the previous evening). Jack and Noah Dekker where thanked for leading from the front as team captains. Team Statistician, Gerry, went through the second quarter’s statistics and noted that while the ‘1%’ers’ and ‘pairing’ were slightly down , the team was still performing at a consistent level.  The third quarter started with Mason picking up the ball at half forward and (using the pace that saw him come 4^th in the inter-school cross country race during the week) moved the ball deep into the Fitzroy forward line. Will and Alex were back in the action and Dom narrowly missed kicking a goal. The two Sam’s continued to display their ‘cracking’ form (to the delight of the coaching panel). A free kick was awarded to Leo in front of goal and he made no mistake in adding six points to the Fitzroy score line (his first goal for the season). At the third quarter break, Gerry outlined that the statistics were slightly up for the quarter and praised the boys for their consistency. John challenged the boys to maintain concentration and focus in the final quarter.  The final quarter started with Darcy and Lachie working hard to clear the ball from the packs and Mason continuing to get possession of the ball (executing a skillful blind turn).  The next passage of play was possibly the best for the team this season. Tom Ward, running hard after the ball to win possession, handballed to Jack who kicked to Mason.  Mason then handballed to Darcy who handballed to Dom, who handballed back to Mason, then back to Dom who then kicked the ball deep into the forward line to be marked by Stanley.  Stanley made no mistake in kicking another goal for Fitzroy – an outstanding team effort. As the quarter progressed, Will and Joel were drawing praise from the coaches’ box for their efforts and Max was deemed to have executed the ‘perfect’ tackle. Laird was in amongst the action. Just when it couldn't get better, Stanley weaved his way through 5 (or was it 6 or 7?) players to kick his second goal for the quarter (just like Maradona’s goal of the century – see You Tube).  It was another quiet quarter for the Fitzroy backline, with Yianni, Josh (injured early on) and Joe getting little opportunity to demonstrate the fine form they’d shown the previous week.  The game ended with an emphatic victory to Fitzroy, a true team effort. Kyle received the St Mary’s team award and in his post- match address, John praised the efforts of the rucks and thanked the boys for forming the ‘defensive wall’ without being asked. He thanked Jack and Noah Dekker again for leading by example as co-captains.  Gerry told the boys that 70 ‘1%’ers’ had been demonstrated during the game and 39 ‘pairings’ – an outstanding effort.  Sam Ward and Sam Clarke were awarded the footy cards and the team then then broke into a loud rendition of the club song. A great first win for the Roys!

Quarter-by-quarter scores were:

3.1.19 - 0.0.0; 

3.2.20 - 0.0.0; 

4.5.29 - 0.0.0; 

6.5.41 - 0.1.1

Goalkickers:

Lucas 2

Stanley 2

Sam Clarke 1

Leo 1

Co-captains Noah Dekker and Jack lead the team out.

Umpire and captains looking for the toss coin, lost in the mud.

A minutes silence for Anzac Day

Lucas showing the determination that led to him scoring two goals in the first quarter.

Leo kicking his first goal for the Roys.

Sam Clarke breaking a tackle

Dom demonstrating his sublime skills in the wet

Stanley in action in the rain, exciting as always.

First win for the season!

Round 2 - Fitzroy vs Camberwell 1

For the second game of the season, Fitzroy played the well regarded (and physically large) Camberwell team at home.  In his pre-match address, John emphasized the importance of playing in front and the concept of ‘second, third & fourth’ attempts at getting the ball. Team captains Stanley and Mason led the team out on a cold, wintery Melbourne morning.  Fitzroy won the toss and elected to kick with the wind (eastern end of the ground). Kyle got the team off to a flying start with an impressive center clearance. Channeling Cameron Ling in his heyday (only better), he sped past three opposition players before kicking the ball deep into the forward line. In a very even contest, both teams had the ball in their forward line but tight defense meant that goals were hard to come by. Lachie was leading by example with his focus and persistence in obtaining the ball and his tenacious tackling on the wing. Josh and Yianni both took strong contested marks in the last line of defense for Fitzroy, ably supported by first-gamer Joe Martin. Noah Dekker continued his good form from the previous week, bringing the ball down on the wing with two early marks and some accurate kicking. In taking a terrific contested mark (the first of many), Laird showed the class that he was to demonstrate all day, a one man army in defense.  Max was working hard as Centre Half Back, using his pace to bring the ball forward in a couple of exiting passages of play.  In the forward line, Jack marked and kicked to Kyle, who narrowly missed a goal for Fitzroy. At the end of the quarter, scores were Fitzroy 2 points to Camberwell’s 4 points.  Scott addressed the players at quarter time and emphasized the importance of manning up, moving the ball quickly on the half forward line and 2nd, 3rd, 4th attempts at getting the ball. The efforts of Laird, Stanley & Mason were called out by John.  The second quarter saw Fitzroy kicking into the wind (CBD end) with first gamer, Noah Cameroux, drawing early praise from the coaches for his efforts in the forward pocket. Lachie was again doing his opponents no favours with his strong tackling. Although neither side had scored a goal by midway through the second quarter, Fitzroy’s concentration lapses around ‘manning up’ in defense were causing concern in the coaches’ box. Kyle and Lucas teamed well with some sharp handballing and Tom Markam took a strong mark. Leo, Josh and Alex were working hard in the last line of defense as the Camberwell boys began to apply pressure, scoring two goals for the quarter. Scores at half time were Fitzroy still on 2 points with Camberwell 2 goals, 4 points. At half time, John praised the impressive work being done by Joel and Max in the ruck and asked the team to outline their opportunities for improvement. The themes of improved concentration, tighter ‘manning up’ and playing in front were emphasized, as was clearing the ball from the center. The third quarter started with Tom Ward working hard to get the ball out of the packs and Darcy getting the better of his opponent on the half forward line. Sam Clarke was showing class on the half forward flank and Alex took a strong mark in the back pocket. Noah Dekker, Kyle and Lachie continued to demonstrate their tenacity in winning the ball for Fitzroy (2nd, 3rd, 4th attempts) and Joe Martin saved an almost certain goal with a mighty punch of the ball in the back pocket. Jack marked and handballed to Darcy, streaming past him on the half forward line. ‘Manning up’ continued to be a problem however and Camberwell made the most of their opportunities, kicking a number of goals to be well ahead at the end of the quarter. Scores where 3.14 (32) to 0.2(2). Scott addressed the team and praised their tackling and intensity in going after the ball but emphasized the importance of ‘manning up’ and keeping heads up (to be aware of the ball). The efforts of Max and Yianni in the back line were praised, as was the continued outstanding performance of Laird (who was doing an amazing job with countless marks and possessions). Sadly, the final quarter was all Camberwell’s way. In heavy rain, Sam Ward was tackling hard, Dom was working to create opportunities and Will was tenacious in getting the ball (2nd, 3rd, 4th attempts). Yianni was outstanding in the last line of defense. At the end of the game the scores were Fitzroy 2 points to Camberwell 5 goals 20 points (50). Laird was awarded the opposition player award for his awe inspiring performance (best on ground?). In his post-match address, John praised the boys for their efforts against a very strong team, in particular in the first quarter. He emphasized the role of each boy as a critical link in the ‘bike chain’, a metaphor for the team. Tom Ward and Yianni were awarded the footy cards for their strong performances and for doing everything the coaches had asked of them. With that, the boys were home for a hot shower.


Final scores -


Q1 Fitzroy 0.2.2 Camberwell 1 0:04:04
Q2 Fitzroy 0.0.2 Camberwell 1 2:04:16
Q3 Fitzroy 0.0.2 Camberwell 1 1:10:32
Q4 Fitzroy 0.0.2 Camberwell 1 5:20:50

Ominous weather forecast at 8.30AM on the day ... cold and wet.

Kyle demonstrating his silky smooth skills before the game. 

Umpire addressing the boys ... the game will continue rain, hail or shine ...

Scott working with the boys during warm-up (hope Scott was keeping warm)

Our rucks were terrific all day, Lachie (9) waiting to pounce ...

John addressing the boys at three quarter time

Heartbeak for Fitzroy, elation for Camberwell at the end of the game.

Team captains, Will and Mason lead the team in congratulating their opponents.

The team after the game (or before, I can't remember)

Round 1 - Balwyn vs Fitzroy

For the first game of the season, Fitzroy played Balwyn at Balwyn Park. Before the game John presented Noah Cameroux number 22 and a new player to our side Joseph Martin number 6 with their Fitzroy Jumpers . Stanley Nicholson and Dominic Moore were selected as team captains. In his pre-match address, John talked with the boys the importance of concentration in the game (a factor that was to prove decisive in the third quarter). Fitzroy won the toss and elected to kick to the Whitehorse road end of the ground and against the wind. The first quarter was a tight tussle between two very evenly matched teams. Under pressure in defense, Tom Ward impressed with some attacking play out of the backline and Stanley Nicholson made his presence felt with some strong contested marking. Tom Markham was in amongst the action, trying to create opportunities. At the end of the quarter, both teams had scored a goal each (Darcy Winstanley scoring for Fitzroy). The second quarter started strongly for Balwyn with Fitzroy defending gallantly. Two of the new first gamer's, Mason Johns (2 goals) and Noah Dekker (17 possessions) started to get into the action, both demonstrating that they'll be players to watch this season. Joel Avery was dominating in the ruck but center clearances were proving hard to come by. Laird Ramshaw took a strong contested mark in the midfield and later won the ball against two opposing players. Lockie Hamilton shot for goal and was unlucky to miss (and later took a fine contested mark). Stanley Nicholson and Tom Ward continued their strong first quarter first with some fine attacking play in the second. At end of the second quarter, Balwyn  had pulled slightly ahead, a goal up. Fitzroy were kicking with the wind in the third quarter. Samuel Clarke opened proceedings with a strong mark. Tom Ward won the ball and executed a superb blind turn to break free of his opponents before kicking the ball down Fitzroy's end. The concentration and focus of the Balwyn team was impressive however and they'd kicked four goals for the quarter with a couple of minutes to go. Dominic Moore snapped for goal and scored for Fitzroy with seconds to go. Scores were Balwyn 45 and Fitzroy 20 at the end of the quarter with game seemingly over for Fitzroy. Will Moore saved an almost certain goal  from Balwyn at the start of the final quarter and then things started to go Fitzroy's way. Alex Irwin was impressive helping with the centre clearances, as was Kyle McKain. Sam Ward, Jack Oldfield and Lucas Rocca were working hard to create opportunities. Tom Markam had a ''Maradona hand of god' moment (see You Tube) which resulted in Mason being awarded a free kick in for being pushed the back. Mason then kicked a goal. Darcy Winstanley scored two dashing goals for Fitzroy , making a total of three for the day for Darcy. At the end of the game, Fitzroy was only eight points down, having staged a fighting comeback. Kyle McKain and Joel Avery were awarded the footy cards from John for their outstanding performance and Dominic Moore's efforts were recognized by the Balwyn team. A very promising first game of the season for Fitzroy. Final scores were Balwyn 8 goals, 4 points (52) and Fitzroy 7 goals, 2 points (44).for Fitzroy.

Joseph Martin receiving his jumper at the start of the game.

John's pre-game address to the team

The team just before their big final quarter.