Fitzroy Junior Football Club Under 10 Team 1 Gold 2015: Round 14

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