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.