Conditions for the rematch against Glen Iris were in complete
contrast to the week before. The sun was shining and there was no hint of wind
or rain. There was controversy before the game when Sam Ward, (perhaps
intending to honour
Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Mexico Olympics 1968), was
sensationally told to remove his black glove, due to league rules. Despite
this setback, the boys settled into their pre-game warm up, with Paul suggesting that
they needed to play in front and ‘pick up the ball’. Back in the rooms, John
noted that despite the previous result, Glen Iris had lost their last two games
and the boys need to approach the game with confidence. Co-captains, Laird and
Kyle led the team out. Glen Iris won the toss and elected to kick to the CBD
end. The first quarter started with both teams attacking the ball and playing
with intensity. Tom Ward, Mason and Jack
were tackling strongly and getting early kicks, while Jules won possession of
the ball and went for a run, bouncing once before kicking forward. In true
captain’s style, Kyle won a contested possession at centre half back and kicked
out of danger, while the boys congratulated Joel on his effective tackling.
Yianni was using his strength in the packs to create opportunities while Darcy
was defending strongly, taking marks and getting kicks. Neither side were
getting any obvious advantage, although the accuracy of Fitzroy’s kicking was creating
unnecessary turnovers. Stanley was
getting kicks on the half back line while Tom Markham was fighting hard for possession
in the packs. The pace of key Glen Iris players was causing problems
(although Darcy was proving their equal). The quarter ended with Glen Iris
kicking 1.1, despite the committed efforts of Will at full back. Unfortunately, Noah Cameroux
was forced to leave the ground injured. At the quarter time break, Lance
congratulated the boys on their hard work. Paul noted that while all the boys were
presenting themselves and getting into the contest, they weren’t always hitting
their targets with their kicks. Team Statistician, Gerry, observed that in
terms of clearances and tackling, the boys were performing well however they
hadn’t been able to match Glen Iris in terms of inside 50s (8 vs 2). John noted that the backline and midfield
were performing well. The second quarter started with Yianni getting an early
clearance, while Sam Clarke kicked the ball to Stanley, who then handballed
back to Sam as he streamed past and kicked forward again. Laird was getting his
usual high quota of possessions and this helped get the ball into Fitzroy’s
forward line. From the forward pocket, Dom snapped for goal and succeeded in
scoring (to the delight of his teammates). Assisting with the clearances, Mason, Jules
and Alex were all working hard to create opportunities. With the ball back in
Fitzroy’s forward line (courtesy of Dom), Lucas found himself completing
against three Glen Iris defenders. Keeping with the Rocca family tradition,
Lucas artfully created space and kicked the team’s second goal (again to the delight of teammates). Back in play,
Noah Dekker was having a cracking quarter, ably supported by Sam Ward and Joel
(who was continuing his sublime form in the ruck). Lachie, in the back pocket, was giving no
quarter to his opponent. Tom Ward stopped a Glen Iris advance at centre half
back and this helped get the ball back into Fitzroy’s forward line. Coming from
nowhere, Laird kicked a true captain’s goal, three for the team for the
quarter. Back in the rooms at half time,
the coaching panel were delighted with the boy’s performance. Gerry noted that
the boys had maximized their scoring efficiency, with three goals from six
inside 50s. Paul praised the intensity
the team had shown that quarter and observed that they’d managed to ‘stay in
their feet’, which had created opportunities. John noted how much better the team were with the boys playing in front, but cautioned that they need to play
with similar intensity for all four quarters if the wanted to win. Kyle’s leadership at centre half back was
called out, in particular as it was ‘freeing’ up his teammates. The third quarter started the Fitzroy backline
under pressure. Will took an outstanding mark in the last line of defence,
while Darcy was tackling hard and running down his opponents. Jack attacked the
ball in the back pocket and ran and kicked it out of danger, while Stanley and
Sam Clarke were teaming well on the wing.
Noah Dekker applied a decisive tackle and won a free kick. Joel was continuing to dominate in the ruck
(a wonderful performance) while Mason was competing hard on the wing. Yianni
was continuing to give his all. Both teams were playing the game with great
intensity and clear scoring opportunities were hard to come by. Lucas and Dom
managed to kick minor scores for Fitzroy, while Glen Iris kicked a goal at their
end. At the three quarter time break, Gerry noted that the boys were continuing
to tackle hard while clearances where slightly down for the quarter. With Fitzroy
in front by a goal, John urged the team to keep up their intensity and try to
keep Glen Iris scoreless in the last quarter.
The final quarter started with a terrific smother from Joel, while Jack continued
to attack from the backline. Dom and Yianni where getting kicks as Sam Ward,
Alex and Jules tried desperately to create opportunities for the team. First
season players, Noah Dekker and Mason, were continuing their impressive
performances on the wing, however all the boys were starting to tire. Glen Iris
kicked a goal to equalize the score and despite some fine defensive work by
Lachie, Will and Tom Markham on the backline, they kicked a couple of minor scores
to win the game with seconds to go. Both
teams lined up to congratulate each other on what had been a tightly contested
and entertaining game. Noah Dekker was awarded the opposition team medal for
his outstanding performance. Back in the rooms, Gerry noted how competitive the
boys had become in terms of key statistics (ie: clearances, tackles and inside
50s). John explained that the boys had a right to feel disappointed with the
final result, however the rematch against Glen Iris had demonstrated what an
improved side Fitzroy had become at the Gold level of the completion. Laird was
awarded the footy cards for the influential role he played for the
team against Glen Iris (and every week). The boys went home, encouraged by
their improved form against a top side and looking forward to the following
week’s rematch against Camberwell 1.
Final scores:
Q1: Fitzroy 0.0.0 – Glen Iris 1.1.7
Q2: F 3.0.18 - GI 0.0.7
Q3: F 0.2.20 – GI 1.0.13
Q4: F 0.0.20 - GI 1.2.21
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| Sam Ward and 'that' black glove (with mum Anne) |
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| Team captains, Kyle and Laird, examine the result of the coin toss. |
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| Lance with the boys before the game. |
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| Yianni goes after the ball. |
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| Yet another mark to Alex ... |
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| Lucas ponders his next Houdini like escape ... |
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| Nobody can complete with Joel in the ruck. |
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| Super cool Kyle in action. |
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| Stanley comes down hard (but he's soon up again) |
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| The mighty Tom Ward in action. |
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| Having a wonderful game, Dom takes a mark. |
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| Speedsters, Sam Ward and Darcy, teaming up. |
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| Lachie leaves his opponents in his wake ... |
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| Sam Ward gets his kick off ... |
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| Jack playing the role of an attacking defender ... |
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| A focused Tom Markham gets into the action. |
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| Solid as rock in defense, Will clears the ball once again ... |
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| Laird single handedly takes on Glen Iris! |
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| Key playmaker Jules about to win possession |
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Mason presents himself - this time in the air!
|
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| Worthy medallion winner Noah Dekker (with proud dad Jan) |
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| Respected coach, John, addresses the boys after the game. |
