Sunday, May 31, 2015

Round 8 – Fitzroy vs Balwyn

Hopes for the Indigenous Round re-match against Balwyn where high. Whilst the boys had lost their initial encounter in Round One, Fitzroy had played the final quarter in barnstorming style to come back strongly. In his pre-game address, John told the boys that this game would about “where they’d come from and where they were going”. It would be a true test of how much they’d improved.  He urged the boys to stay focused and apply pressure for the full four quarters.  John told the boys that they needed to want the ball more than the opposition as this would help create doubt in the minds of the opposition players. He emphasized the importance of the boys encouraging each other to help build each other’s confidence (as this confidence was critical to maintaining the team’s momentum). Endurance, Tenacity, Courage, Loyalty and Pride where to be the themes of the day (some of the wonderful qualities demonstrated by the game’s indigenous players).  Co-Captains, Joel and Joe, led a confident Fitzroy team out. Balwyn won the toss and elected to kick with the wind (CBD end).   In a tightly contested first quarter, Yianni won the opening ruck duel. Sam Clarke got his first possession of the day and handballed out of defense while Darcy, executing a Tom Hawkins style tap-out, moved the ball forward. Dom won possession at centre half back and moving the ball quickly down the ground, kicked to Max, who kicked to Kyle, who kicked the Laird, who kicked to Tom Markham, who marked in the forward pocket.   With the ball in Fitzroy forward line (and with Sam Ward organizing the half forward line defensive wall), Joe, Kyle and Will were working hard to try and score. An artful tap-out from Joel saw Alex rove the ball and in trademark style, he kicked the team’s first goal. Back in the centre, Laird was all class as he cleared the ball. With play soon in the Balwyn forward line however, Sam Clarke showed courage in smothering the ball while Josh was working hard to get the ball from the packs.  In fine form at full back, Lucas spoiled a Balwyn kick, won possession and kicked the ball out of danger.   At quarter time, Paul addressed the boys. He praised the half back line of Darcy, Dom and Jack and asked the boys to keep ‘structuring up’ around the stoppages and continue talking to each other. Team Statistician Gerry noted that in terms of effective defensive actions, the boys were outstanding, with 8 in defense, 12 in the midfield and 5 in the forward line. This was putting pressure of the opposition ball carriers and influencing play (a ‘good picture’ in terms of the stats).  John told the boys that despite kicking against the wind, they’d gained momentum in the game. He thanked Yianni for his outstanding efforts in the ruck. The second quarter started with Dom in dominant form at centre half back and Noah Cameroux having an immediate impact at full back (to the delight of the coaches). In the back pocket, Mason dived into a pack, won possession and then hand-balled to a team mate. Stanley was working hard to get the ball and Laird narrowly missed kicking a goal (before kicking for goal again only seconds later). Joe was tackling hard, with his second and third efforts winning praise from the coaches. In the backline, Stanley kicked the ball out of danger and Laird, here there and everywhere, saved an almost certain goal. Dom and Noah Cameroux stopped a number of attempts by Balwyn to score. Tom Ward and Noah Dekker, playing in front, were working hard to create opportunities.  Darcy was all class as broke a tackle and kicked the ball forward. With the ball in the Fitzroy forward line, Will led out, won possession of the ball and pivoted to kick the team’s second goal (seconds before the end of the quarter). The boys, led by Alex, all ran up to congratulate him. Back in the rooms, Paul noted a “great” passage of play from Laird to Darcy to Kyle and Gerry noted the ‘fantastic’ defense pressure applied by Fitzroy (as evidenced by the statistics).  In his half time address to the players John noted that the boys desire and intensity at the ball “couldn’t be questioned” during that quarter. He thanked Max for his terrific quarter in the ruck and urged the boys not to give Balwyn a “sniff”. As the boys prepared to run out for the third quarter, Paul, with a premonition of what was to come, warned the boys that Balwyn would play with increased intensity in the second half and to be prepared.  As predicted, Balwyn, stung by their inability to score in the first half, began playing to their potential as the third quarter commenced.  Conversely, Fitzroy began to lose concentration, allowing the opposition to play loose players in their forward line.  Jack was in the action early, winning possession in a contested play and kicking forward from centre half back and Darcy, taking on three un-manned Balwyn players, managed to control the ball until help arrived. Under pressure in defense, Lucas teamed with Noah Cameroux to kick the ball out of danger and Lachie and Sam Ward worked hard to try and stabilize the situation. Leo won the ball out of the pack and hand-balled forward and Max took a screaming overhead mark on the forward flank. Lacking concentration however, the Fitzroy defenders were allowing themselves to get drawn up field. Exploiting the opportunity, Balwyn kicked two goals in quick succession to bring themselves back into the game. At three quarter time, scores were almost level.  Paul addressed the players and urged them to be accountable for their opposition counterpart and to be first at the ball. He noted that the boys were lucky to have one quarter of the game remaining and they should make the most of it. Gerry outlined that statistically the boys had struggled, with clearances down for the quarter.  John noted that Balwyn had “wanted” the ball more than Fitzroy that quarter and the boys needed to try and reverse this situation. The final quarter started with the ball going down into the Balwyn forward line and alas, it stayed there. Mason engaged in an aerial contest and Lucas took a strong mark at centre half back. Laird, despite being injured, won possession again and again in an awesome display of endurance, tenacity and courage. Leo took a fine mark and Dom executed an epic spoil at centre half back. Noah Cameroux and Mason were desperate in defense and Tom Ward, dropping back, did what he could to move the ball forward.  Despite the best efforts of the Fitzroy back line and on-ballers however, the commitment of the Balwyn players could not be questioned and before too long they’d kicked the goal that would win them the game.  Sadly the game ended with Fitzroy, having built up a lead in the first half, not scoring in the second (similar to what had occurred the week before but with less dramatic consequences). The boys lined up for the awards. Noah Cameroux was awarded the opposition team award for his outstanding work in defense. After both teams acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land, Laird was declared the popular winner of one of the two Indigenous round awards (for ably demonstrating the qualities that make the Indigenous players so highly regarded in football). The two teams lined up for photos before heading back to the rooms. In silence, the Fitzroy boys listened to the Balwyn players celebrate their terrific ‘come from behind’ win.  John addressed the players and told them that when they concentrated they were capable of winning against any team. As their journey as a team continued however, they needed to try and play with intensity for four quarters so that their potential could be realized.  Mason and Lachie were awarded the footy cards (Mason for his efforts in defense and Lachie for consistently good form over a number of weeks). With the rain looking to arrive, the boys left the rooms and went home to enjoy the rest of the weekend. 

Final Scores:

Q1 Fitzroy  1.2.8  -  Balwyn  0.1.1
Q2 Fitzroy  2.4.16   Balwyn  0.0.0
Q3 Fitzroy  0.0.16   Balwyn  2.3.15
Q4 Fitzroy  0.0.16   Balwyn  1.2.23






Parent of the week, Ben Rossiter
Goal kicking machine, Will, before the game.
Stanley, looking like the rock star that he is.
Co-captains Joe and Joel lead the team out.
Yianni boots the leather off the ball.
Tom Ward breaks free ...
That ball isn't going anywhere thank you very much ... (Joe)
Stanley roves the ball


Mason gets airborne ...
Sam Ward kicks out of defense
Kyle in command ...
Great mark to Lucas!
Jack goes for the ball...
Stanley in action again ...
Concerned parents, Kym, Gerry, Matt and Jan watch the third quarter.


Laird, the much deserved winner of an Indigenous round award

The two teams join together for reconciliation
The two Indigenous round award winners
The boys celebrate together.
Proud father John with Laird after the game






Monday, May 25, 2015

Round 7 – Camberwell 2 vs Fitzroy

Having recovered from the disappointment of the previous week, the boys arrived for their game against Camberwell 2 to find that they were to be playing on an uneven ground, with an alarming slope down towards the north-west (from whence they’d come).  Not dwelling on metaphoric possibilities of the location, the coaching team of John, Paul and Lance began the warm-up drills, reminding the team they were to keep the forward line open during the game. In his pre-game address, John emphasized the importance of positive, constructive communication, encouraging the boys to let their team mates know who was going for the ball, who was backing up, who was available for a handball outside the pack etc.  John suggested that the team that when the team concentrated for four quarters and engaged in positive talk, they were more likely to win. Co-Captains Leo and Tom Ward led the team out, and won the toss to kick up the slope. The game started with key playmakers, Sam Ward, Alex and Darcy teaming well, getting early possessions and trying to break the congestion.  Noah Cameroux and Stanley were defending strongly on the half backline, both getting early kicks. Yianni applied one of his trademark tackles at centre half forward, helping Alex get the ball (who then narrowly missed kicking a goal). Darcy took a terrific contested mark and Yianni used his strength to try and break open a pack and win possession. Kyle, Joel and Lachie were doing an outstanding job of creating a defensive wall across the half forward line, showing great discipline in resisting the temptation to be drawn further forward. This was allowing forward play makers like Noah Dekker and Tom Ward to create scoring opportunities. Using his pace, Darcy led from the front to get the ball and passed to Kyle, who kicked into the forward pocket. With lightening reflexes, Will won possession, steadied, and kicked the team’s first goal. Back in play, Noah Cameroux won the ball in a pack and handballed out, before getting the ball again and kicking forward (to the delight of the coaching panel). At quarter time, Paul addressed the team noting that the team’s intensity at the ball had increased as the quarter progressed. He encouraged the boys to play in front. Team Statistician, Gerry, was happy with the team’s clearances for the quarter but stressed that if the boys won a contested ball (which they were doing), they needed to dispose of the ball effectively and hit their target. The team had moved the ball into their forward 50 eight times, against Camberwell’s three times, however the boys still needed to continue working on converting these forward incursions into goals.  John praised the efforts of Noah Dekker in applying pressure up forward and commended the half back line of Stanley, Dom and Darcy. Lucas was thanked for holding the fort at Full Back. The second quarter was to be one of Fitzroy’s best for the season. It started with Alex winning the centre clearance and Noah Dekker and Lachie teaming to get the ball forward. Then, playing with the intensity requested of the team, Kyle and Laird worked together to assist Will in kicking his (and the team’s) second goal.  With Leo, Laird and Max working hard to get the ball out of the centre and back into the forward line, Alex, receiving the ball from Noah Dekker and Kyle, suddenly kicked another goal. Joe ran up to Noah to congratulate him on his role. Shortly after, Kyle, having assisted in setting up two goals, took the opportunity to kick one of his own. It was raining goals for the team. After a period of congested play, Max, who was having an outstanding game, took a strong overhead mark directly in front of goal and kicked yet another for the team – four Fitzroy goals for the quarter. At half time, Gerry went through the statistics – eleven inside 50s for Fitzroy for the quarter with the half back line (Darcy, Dom and Jack) conceding none for Camberwell. The midfield had achieved nine clearances (a “fantastic job”). In his address, John pointed out the boys had concentrated for the whole quarter and played with great intensity and when they did so, they were “unstoppable”.  Sam Ward’s outstanding quarter was noted, as was Yianni’s and Max was commended for playing well and “making the right decisions” which resulted in him kicking a goal. The third quarter saw Camberwell regroup and increase the intensity of their game, with a focus on strong tackling. Joe, leading hard to get the ball, made first, second third attempts, before handballing out to Laird. Tom Ward was teaming well with Sam Ward. Yianni and Max were doing a good job at playing in front.  Sam Ward was having a cracking game. Tom Markham, channeling his inner Chris Judd, began playing the best football of his career with a number of impressive marks and kicks. The Fitzroy backline was under pressure. Darcy was tackling hard and Lachie took an excellent contested overhead mark. Yianni won a tap-out and kicked forward, with Leo running up to praise him for his efforts.  Later, Yianni, rising high above the pack, narrowly missed taking the mark of the seaon. Jack and Mason were doing an excellent job of manning up in the backline, following their players from one side of the ground to the other, before teaming well with Dom to move the ball forward. At three quarter time break, Gerry outlined that despite six entries into the Fitzroy 50 meter zone, conversion to goal was down compared to the first and second quarters. Paul urged the backline to keep manning up and John told the boys that they needed to ‘want the ball’ more than the opposition if they were to regain the momentum they had earlier in the game. The final quarter started with Jack leading from the front, outpacing two opposition players to get the ball and kick forward (one of a number kicks and tackles for the quarter). Joel, Joe and Josh were in amongst the action in the packs and Tom Ward was persisting with second and third attempts to get possession of the ball. Dom was applying some ferocious tackles at Centre Half Back and Josh was leading out to stop the ball entering the Camberwell forward line. Darcy, Kyle and Max were continuing with their excellent form for the game. Sam Clarke, Lucas and Noah Cameroux were getting lots of action in the backline as Camberwell pushed forward. Despite the opposition playing with greater intensity in the second half of the game than they had in the first (and scoring more goals), Fitzroy managed to hold on for a comfortable win.  After the teams had lined up to shake hands, the opposition team award was awarded to Max for his outstanding game. The Camberwell coach noted that when the ball was in the open, it was a much better game for both teams. Back in the rooms, Gerry outlined that while the team had performed well statistically (with 26 forward entries into the 50 meter zone), conversion to goal continued to be a challenge.  John noted Max’s strong performance but suggested that overall, the team had struggled to adapt to Camberwell’s increased intensity in the second half of the game, with overall concentration dropping off at a time when the team needed to lift. He stressed that is was not about winning, more the importance of having a score line that reflected the way that the game was played. He asked that the boys continue to try and approve on this area.  Josh and Alex were awarded the footy cards – Josh for his work in the packs and Alex for his creativity and ability to bring others into the game. With that, the boys sang the team song and enjoyed their win.

Scores were:

Q1: Fitzroy 1.2.8 - Camberwell 0.1.1
Q2: F 4.4.36 - C 0.0.1
Q3: F 0.2.38 - C 1.1.8
Q4: F 0.0.38 - C 2.2.22

Co-Captains, Leo and Tom Ward, lead the boys out.
Max, early in the game, demonstrating his commanding form.
There's no catching Sam Ward when he's got the ball ...
Will snaps for one of his two goals.

Focused parent, Jan Dekker, watching the boys in action ...
 A composed Tom Markham, under pressure in his outstanding third quarter.

Tom Markham again, channeling his inner Chris Judd

Yianni almost takes the mark of the season

The ever creative Alex, as he kicks the ball forward.
Joe thinks through his next move ...


Max get's airborne in a titanic rucking contest
Jack goes for a run in the final quarter.
Max creates some much needed space for Noah Dekker

Laird almost cleans up the boundary umpire (and dog) ...
A determined Darcy takes a contested mark. 
Darcy in action again ...
The boys celebrate their win
Noah Dekker relives a game day moment with Joe and Mason.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Round 6 - Glen Iris vs Fitzroy

It was a beautiful, sunny, windless day for the game against Glen Iris, one that would begin with a sense of optimism but would end in frustration and disappointment for the team. The away ground was large, with a sea of mud in the centre and high voltage power lines overhead.  Following their warm-up, the team gathered in the palatial, ALF standard change rooms for John’s pre-game address. Key messages from the coaching panel were for the boys to run, create space and ‘want the ball’.  Team captain’s, Noah Cameroux and Laird, led the team onto the ground and were unlucky to lose the toss, with Fitzroy kicking to the Western end of the ground.  The early play was congested, with nether side able to obtain an advantage. In the backline, Dom used his strength to break free of a tackle and kick the ball forward while Will, playing the role of an attacking full back, took it upon himself to try win the ball. Lucas marked ball in the back pocket and kicked forward, then shortly after, won possession again. Sam Clarke got his first possession and Jack, active in the packs, was applying vice-like tackles to his opponents. In one of the more exciting individual passages of play, Max took a mark on the half back line and played on. Dodging two players, he bounced the ball twice and kicked deep into the Fitzroy half forward line. Lachie was playing in front and was marking and being awarded free kicks as a result. Leo got his first kick and Kyle, showing why he’s so highly regarded in a contest for ball, dispatched his opponents easily to kick the ball away from the half back line (one of many times he did this during the game). Noah Cameroux marked the ball and Alex and Stanley were working hard to win possession. Using his strength, Lucas tried to break through a pack and win possession of the ball. Dom, the consummate team player, was creating opportunities around the ground winning free kicks and dispatching the ball effectively. Tap outs in the ruck were proving hard to come by though (but more about that shortly). At the quarter break, Fitzroy, despite playing below their best, were still only one goal down.  Team Statistician, Sav, addressed the players. The ball had only gone into Fitzroy’s 50 metre line once and they hadn't managed to convert. He urged the boys to play deeper in defense and to watch the ball and their opposition counterparts, not losing track of either.  He spoke of the importance of playing in front and ‘making it happen’ and highlighted the importance of the boys backing each other up and running in numbers.  Paul and John praised the outstanding efforts of the half back line, Lachie, Joel and Kyle. John asked the boys to ‘go hard at the ball’ and to try for second, third attempts. The second quarter started with Laird taking a mark and Mason winning possession and kicking the ball forward from the wing. Sam Ward took on two opposition players, tackled one and took possession of the ball. In defense, Darcy and Kyle were impressive, playing positive, attacking football from the half back line.  In the forward line, Max broke free from a tackle, went for another run, bounced twice and then narrowly missed kicking a goal. Josh marked, played on and kicked for goal (also narrowly missing). Dom, full of determination, tackled to win the ball, broke free and kicked to Joe, who steadied and kicked the team’s first goal. Just as it appeared Fitzroy were building momentum however, a lapse in concentration in the back-line saw Glen Iris kick another uncontested goal.  Bouncing back, Sam Ward won possession of the ball in the forward line and teamed with Alex, who then kicked the team’s second goal (using his left foot).  Dom, having adapted his style in the ruck, was using his body more effectively to win the tap-outs. Scores where level, however yet again, the momentum slipped from Fitzroy’s grasp. Having moved the ball up the ground, the nimble Glen Iris forwards slipped away from the distracted Fitzroy backline to kick another uncontested goal.  At half time, Sav pointed out that Fitzroy had been much more effective at scoring from their incursions into their 50 meter zone. He noted that the boys in the backline were watching the ball and not the player they were minding, which was leading to scoring opportunities for Glen Iris. Dom’s ‘fantastic’ quarter was praised (with much applause) and Paul noted that the boys were not making use of the open space, rather kicking into the packs. The third quarter started with only a goal’s difference on the scoreline.  Jack, running hard to get in front, took on two players, won possession after second and third effects and then kicked the ball forward.  Yianni was in pack-busting form and Lucas, actively engaging in the aerial contests as well as on the ground, was smothering the ball and creating opportunities for the team. Tom Ward took a courageous contested mark and Noah Dekker was on the hunt around the packs.  Leo was trying hard on the forward line and Tom Markham was doing his bit in the back pocket. As the quarter progressed, despite tighter teamwork by the boys in defense, Glen Iris continued to score. At three quarter time, Paul urged the boys to play their natural game and kick the ball into space, not into the congested packs.  The fourth quarter began with Jack demonstrating why he’s one of the most formidable tacklers in the team, winning free kicks and stopping a number of attempts by Glen Iris to move forward. Lucas was again active on the forward line, working hard to create scoring opportunities for the team.  Stanley was demonstrating his usual high work rate in the centre and Lachie continued to lead by example, organizing the last line of defense effectively. Despite some fine individual efforts however, the Fitzroy boys struggled to find their 'mojo' as a team. Glen Iris kicked away to finish the game as worthy winners. Throughout the game, they’d played a positive, intelligent brand of attacking football, in particular on their forward line, backing themselves to play in front and accepting the risks of doing so. Having won the ball, Glen Iris were more effective with their disposal, creating space and opportunities for their team mates. They encouraged each other (even when mistakes were made). Lachie was awarded the opposition team medal for his outstanding performance and the boys assembled back in the clubrooms. John addressed the players.  While he noted that why the boys ‘weren't playing for sheep stations’, he emphasized that it was important that they took on individual accountability to try and influence the game and not let others do it for them.  It was critical that they played with a sense of 'esprit de corps'. He noted that while there were many forays into the forward line, the team needed to become more effective at impacting on the scoreboard if it was to win games.  He challenged the boys to take the loss as a positive learning experience and to bounce back. The day ended with Will and Darcy being popular recipients of the footy cards (for their consistent efforts in defense and on the ball).

Scores were:

Q1: Fitzroy 0.0.0 - Glen Iris 1.1.7
Q2: F 2.1.13 - GI 3.1.19
Q3: F 2.1.13 - GI 5.1.31
Q4: F 2.1.13 - GI 7.3.45

Observation from John on the final score ..."Really don't think the scoreline anywhere near reflected the contest between the 2 sides...it seemed much closer than that..."


Dom warming up before his outstanding game.

AFL sized change rooms ...

Co-Captains, Noah and Laird, lead the boys out

Congested play early in the game

Joel points out opportunities to Jack as he takes his free kick (good teaming).

Kyle ensures that there's no escape ...

Joe and Mason teaming in the last quarter.

Lachie's efforts are recognized by the opposition. 

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Round 5- Beverley Hills vs Fitzroy

It was a wet and windy day for Fitzroy’s Mother’s Day contest against Beverley Hills, a game of two startlingly different halves. At the pre-game warm-up, John noted the large size of the ground and stressed the importance of clearing the ball from the centre.  As the Beverley Hills team colours are the same as Fitzroy’s, the visitors were required to wear the light blue ‘clash’ jumpers for the game. Additionally, each Fitzroy player wore a pink arm band to highlight breast cancer awareness (and for Mother’s Day). In his pre-game address, John emphasized the familiar themes of playing on front and ‘manning-up’ in defense, in particular across the mid-field. Given the wet conditions the boys were told to ‘kick it long’ to either a team mate or into the open space. The ‘Three-Rs’ were reinforced – respect, responsibility and run. The importance of encouraging and supporting team mates were also stressed, with John noting how pleased he’d been with these positive behaviors the previous week. Team captain's Lachie and Max led the team out and won the toss, electing to kick with the wind to the eastern end of the ground.  Darcy, Laird and Stanley were active early on, clearing the ball from the packs and Sam Ward roved a spilled mark to kick the ball forward. Mason was on the hunt around the packs and Laird carried the ball toward the goal square where Max created a contest. As quick as a flash, Alex had the ball and kicked his first goal of the day, continuing his good form of the previous week. Back in the centre, Sam Clarke, shrugging off his illness from the previous evening, got his first kick for the day. Jack was controlling the half back line and paired well with Lucas to move the ball forward. Will stopped an almost certain goal in the last line of Fitzroy’s defense and Tom Ward took on two players as he chased down the ball.  From the coach’s area, John and Paul noted that the boys were not playing in front on the backline or dropping back fast enough to pick up their men. As almost to emphasize their point, Beverley Hills scored their first goal and then a second.  Back in the centre, Lucas cleared the ball and Stanley was doing his best to crash through the packs. Tom Ward took a solid mark however Beverley Hills scored twice again, exploiting Fitzroy’s lapses in discipline on the backline. Fearless in his attempts to get the ball, Noah Dekker was tackled hard and forced to leave the ground, injured.  In his quarter time update, Gerry noted that both teams had the ball within their fifty meter zone four times each, however the opposition had scored four goals to Fitzroy’s one, a far superior conversion ratio. Paul asked the boys to keep playing in front and praised Max for leading by example. The second quarter was a congested affair with Fitzroy working hard to slow the Beverley Hills momentum. Noah Cameroux was ferocious in his tackling and Jules was showing his class as a ball clearance specialist.  Joe was working hard from the bottom of the packs and was rewarded a free kick for his courage. Tom Ward and Sam Ward teamed well to move the ball forward, with Sam kicking Fitzroy’s second goal.  On-field leader, Kyle, was impressive as he played in front to move the ball forward from the half back line and Sam Clarke took a ripper mark.  Dom, with a combination of skill and tenacity, was working hard to clear the ball from the packs and create opportunities and Joe took an impressive overhead mark. The ball was in Fitzroy’s’ forward line frequently and despite Leo, Max and Sam Ward teaming well to create the defensive ‘wall’, scoring goals was proving challenging.  At half time, John praised the efforts of the mid-fielders and was pleased that when required, the boys had dropped back quickly to crowd the backline (thus limiting the Beverley Hills scoring opportunities).  Jack was thanked for his work around the packs and Sam Ward’s ‘cracking’ quarter was noted. The boys ran back onto the ground, full of purpose, determined to create free space and score.  The momentum gained by Fitzroy in the third quarter was in no small manner due to the dominance of Joel in the ruck and Laird’s skill in clearing the ball from the tap-outs.  Both were in sizzling form as they paired to get the ball out of the centre and swing the game Fitzroy’s way. The ball moved into Fitzroy’s forward line, however despite a number of gallant attempts by Josh, Alex, Max, Lucas and others, conversion into goals was continuing to be a problem. Tom Markham narrowly missed taking a courageous contested mark before Jules, dodging several opposition players, broke free to end the goal scoring drought. Out of the centre again, Sam Clarke was increasing his tally of kicks for the game with some speedy work on the wing.  Joel, Jules and Laird teamed to get the ball into the Fitzroy forward line before Yianni, composed, focused and running fast, kicked a wonderful goal (to the delight of his team mates).  Josh ensured further delight when, cool under pressure, he goaled. On-ballers, Joel and Sam Clarke, were giving nothing away, with some fine tackling that slowed any momentum the opposition may have been trying to build. Lucas, Leo and Josh were working hard to create opportunities in the Fitzroy forward line, with Lucas playing his most confident game to date. At three quarter time, Paul praised the boys for creating space in the forward line and getting in front. Joel’s ‘absolutely sensational’ performance was called out, in particular his role in organizing the Fitzroy forward line. Laird was thanked for ‘smashing’ the centre clearances and creating the momentum that Fitzroy needed so badly. Gerry outlined that there was only one defensive 1%’er in that quarter, due to the fact that the ball had only gone into the Beverley Hills forward line once (a credit to the Fitzroy defenders). He noted however that forward scoring conversion continued to be a challenge.  John stressed that to carry home their momentum and consolidate their lead, the boys needed to get in front and ‘want the ball’.  The final quarter started well for Fitzroy. Noah Cameroux used his strength to break free of a tackle and Mason and Laird teamed to bring the ball forward.  In ten minutes of inspired football, Alex demonstrated all the versatility of Swiss army knife.  If he wasn’t breaking tackles to kick two more goals, he was demonstrating his proficiency at kicking on both feet or stepping up to take to take the role of ruck when the ball was bounced (and no tall player was near). Kyle kicked for goal and was unlucky not make the distance. Lachie, Will and Tom Markham were getting cold in the Fitzroy backline, as they looked on from a distance. In the twilight of the game, Laird lay a ferocious tackle to get the ball to Stanley, who broke into the clear to kick a goal.  For this and his earlier efforts, Stanley was awarded the best player award by the Beverley Hills team.  Back in the rooms, Gerry outlined that the boys had scored an impressive twenty times but with a conversion rate of 66% (much improved as the game progressed). Due to Fitzroy’s solid defense and creation of defensive ‘walls’, the ball had only gone into the Beverley Hills fifty meter area five times in the final three quarters. John thanked the boys for leading out to ‘create the space’ in the second half and for creating opportunities (and resisting the temptation to create congestion).  Lucas and Jules were awarded the footy cards for their outstanding performances and the boys polished off a satisfying day’s work by singing the Fitzroy song, thrilled with their comeback win.

Final scores where:

Fitzroy 8 goals 12 points 60

Beverley Hills 4 goals 0 points 24



Sam Clarke, one of the team's most consistent performers
Laird, the clearance king, warming up

Lance leads the pre-game warm-up (between showers)

Team Captain's, Lachie and Max, leading the team out

Master strategist, John Ramshaw, coaching the boys to victory

Lucas confidently marks on the forward line

Joel, in commanding form during his match swinging third quarter

The ever adaptable Alex wins a rucking contest ...

... and then kicks a (another) goal

A determined Yianni charges forward to kick a goal

Lachie and Max thank the opposition players

The boys after their excellent comeback win.

Team mothers in the ring for the team song .. happy Mother's Day!