Round 13 - Fitzroy vs Glen Iris

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

Sam Ward and 'that' black glove (with mum Anne)

Team captains, Kyle and Laird, examine the result of the coin toss.

Lance with the boys before the game.

Yianni goes after the ball.

Yet another mark to Alex ...

Lucas ponders his next Houdini like escape ...

Nobody can complete with Joel in the ruck.

Super cool Kyle in action.

Stanley comes down hard (but he's soon up again)

The mighty Tom Ward in action.

Having a wonderful game, Dom takes a mark.

Speedsters, Sam Ward and Darcy, teaming up.

Lachie leaves his opponents in his wake ...

Sam Ward gets his kick off ...

Jack playing the role of an attacking defender ...

A focused Tom Markham gets into the action.

Solid as rock in defense, Will clears the ball once again ...

Laird single handedly takes on Glen Iris!

Key playmaker Jules about to win possession

Mason presents himself - this time in the air!

Worthy medallion winner Noah Dekker (with proud dad Jan)

Respected coach, John, addresses the boys after the game.

Round 12 - Fitzroy vs Beverly Hills

Fitzroy’s rematch against Beverly Hills was played in abysmal conditions. It was the wettest Melbourne day in 25 years and freezing polar vortex weather conditions had settled over the state. In his pre-game address, John, making a mockery of the cold in his usual shorts and tee-shirt, stressed the importance of the boys getting off to a strong start and not giving Beverly Hills a ‘sniff’.  Noting the ‘absolutely sensational’ football weather, he instructed the boys to play in front and to kick the ball long. Team Captain, Darcy, led the team out. Out on the ground, Lance urged the boys to spread out around the packs to create opportunities for clearances. Heeding their coach’s request, the first quarter started with the boys playing strong, assertive football. Lachie attacked the ball to get his first kick of the day while Laird and Mason won early free kicks for the team. Sam Clarke was applying pressure while Noah Cameroux, back from injury, took a strong contested mark at Centre Half Back. Noah Dekker applied an impressive tackle, metres away from the delighted coaching panel while Sam Ward was winning praise for his intelligent play. With the ball in Fitzroy’s forward line, Lucas, Yianni and Max all managed to kick minor scores. Moments later, Lucas was rewarded for his second, third efforts by kicking the team’s first goal (much to the elation of his teammates).  Jack, in barnstorming style, won the ball in defence and kicked forward to Stanley, while Tom Ward, dangerous on the forward line, kicked for goal (before following up shortly after with another kick). At the quarter time break, Paul was delighted with the boy’s performance, praising in particular the endeavors of Tom Ward. Team Statistician, Gerry noted that the boys had managed five inside 50’s while the Fitzroy defenders had not let the ball into the Beverly Hills forward line once. The second quarter started in increasingly wet conditions. Beverly Hills, keen to demonstrate their improved form, started the second quarter much more strongly and the Fitzroy defence was under immediate pressure.  Kyle, showing leadership on the field, took a strong mark while Max, Noah Dekker and Darcy were all working hard to clear the ball from defence. Sam Clarke attacked the ball and kicked forward while Laird was keeping up his impressive work rate to create opportunities. Will was impressive at full back, repelling a number of attacks at goal. Jules was in outstanding form. Channeling his inner Gary Ablett Jnr, he won possession of the ball again and again in what was to be one of the most dominant quarters of football by a Fitzroy player all year. Both teams were finding it hard to kick up the ball as conditions worsened. Beverly Hills were looking dangerous, with loose players in their forward line.. The second quarter ended with Beverly Hills being rewarded for their persistence and kicking their first goal, with seconds remaining.   At half time, Gerry noted the contrast in team’s performance between the two quarters, with Fitzroy not as effective at being first to get the ball.  John noted the boys had not ‘manned up’ enough but urged the boys to stay positive and to start the next quarter with confidence. The third quarter started in bitterly cold and wet conditions with both teams locked in a desperate scoring stalemate. Doing his best to break the impasse, Joel was winning the ruck duals and smothering the ball, while Alex and Mason were working hard in and around the packs. Jack and Kyle were teaming well in defence while Stanley was winning the ball and kicking forward. Darcy and Sam Ward were working effectively as a pair while Lachie and Sam Clarke were giving their in defence. Despite Beverley Hills attacking for most of the quarter, the Fitzroy backline was resolute and in the challenging conditions, conceded only one minor score.  At the three quarter time break, the boys huddled together in driving rain as Gerry praised the teams outstanding efforts in defence. In his address, John urged the team to ‘want the ball’ in the last quarter and win the game (with only one point the difference on the score line). The final quarter started with Will taking a terrific mark in the last line of defence. Tom Ward, Kyle and Sam Ward were taking marks and getting kicks while Laird and Noah Dekker were tackling hard. With the ball in the Fitzroy forward line, Stanley and Lucas were unlucky to miss scoring goals but kicked what were to be two very valuable minor scores. Jack was shepherding his teammates while Kyle, Darcy and Alex worked desperately to create opportunities. The game ended in thrilling style with Fitzroy getting home to win the game by one point. Laird was awarded the opposition medal for his outstanding efforts and the boys thanked Beverly Hills for being worthy opponents before running back to the rooms. Having survived what may be the worst weather conditions they’ll ever play in, the boys sang the team song, cold but delighted to have held off the much improved Beverly Hills team. No footy cards were awarded as everyone had turned their attention to getting home and having a hot shower.

Final scores:


Q1: Fitzroy 1.06.12 – Beverley Hills 0.0.0

Q2: F 0.0.12 - C 1.4.10

Q3: F 0.0.12 - C 0.1.11

Q4: F 0.2.14 - C 0.2.13

Team Captain, Darcy, leads the boys out.

... and none too impressed at the result of the coin toss.

Master tackler, Laird, in action (with Stanley ready to pounce) 

Joel dominating in the ruck.

Yianni uses his strength to break through ...

Lucas snaps for goal as the rain belts down

Jules in dashing form.

Mason goes after the ball.

Despite being under pressure, Kyle gets his kick off

Will, resolute on the last line of defense ...

Team Manager, Sean, making sure things are running smoothly ...

San Ward takes an impressive mark

Cold and wet at three quarter time (but still one point in front)

A sea of umbrellas as Paul reads out the final quarter lineup. 

It doesn't get much better than this ... the boys line up to shake hands ...

Laird, frozen but proud to win the opposition team medal.

The boys huddle together in victory (and for warmth)

Round 11 – Canterbury B vs Fitzroy

Fitzroy’s game against Canterbury B was an unusual one, with both teams being down on player numbers. It was to be tightly contested, skillful and highly entertaining, none the less.  Given that it was the first week of the school holidays, a number of players on both sides were away on vacation or unwell.  Fitzroy took to the field with 14 players. In his pre-game address, John noted the ‘out of the box’ nature of the occasion and given this, stressed that the boys needed to run on the big ground and have fun.  He told the boys to ‘lead into space’ and the make the boundary line ‘their friend’.  Captain, Alex, led the team out (having won the toss and electing to kick to the southern end). The first quarter started with Will in swashbuckling form at full back, repelling two Canterbury attacks and kicking the ball forward. Kyle, Jack and Darcy were defending strongly, yet the early momentum was with Canterbury, allowing them to kick two quick goals. With play beginning to open up as the quarter progressed however, Fitzroy capitalized from an incursion into their forward line to have Lucas kick the team’s first goal.  Laird applied one of the best tackles of the season to win a free kick and Lachie, using his pace to take the ball out of the half back line, took a bounce and kicked the ball forward. Darcy was in dashing form, attacking the ball repeatedly and running into open space, leaving opposition players trailing behind him. At the break, Team Statistician, Gerry, ran through the team’s statistics (clearances, bounces and inside 50s). He encouraged the boys to ‘get clear, take off and take a couple of bounces’. John spoke with the boys, praising the tackling of Mason and Noah Dekker and thanking Darcy and Jack for their outstanding quarters.  The second quarter started with pack tunneling specialist, Leo, getting down and dirty to clear the ball to fleet footed Noah Dekker. Joel was in outstanding form in the ruck and Kyle cleared the ball from the centre in trademark style, taking two bounces before kicking up to Lucas. With the ball in Fitzroy’s forward line, Lucas and Joe were unlucky not to score while Laird did his best to create scoring opportunities.  Mason, enjoying the open spaces on the wing, was using his pace to attack the ball and win contests, while Tom Ward was rock solid in defence on the half forward line. Joel was courageous as he smothered the ball on two occasions, throwing everything into the contest. The boys stayed out on the field at the half time break. Gerry noted that while the team’s statistics were still positive, Canterbury had been more efficient at scoring (despite both teams getting the ball into their 50 metre zone a similar number of times).  In his address, John told the boys that regardless of the score line, they were matching Canterbury in the contests and winning most of the stoppages. He told the boys that their endeavour and intensity was ‘sensational’.  In what was to be an inspired move, he swapped Kyle to play at Centre Half Back and asked Jack to play on the ball.  The third quarter started with Kyle having an immediate impact on the half back line, winning a number of contested possessions and using his strength to break free to kick the ball forward. Jack’s intensity at winning possession and tackling was creating opportunities and this helped get the ball to Joe, who kicked the team’s second goal.  Darcy was having another cracking quarter and helped get the ball to Lachie, who kicked for goal from 50 metres out and watched as it bounced through for his first goal (shepherded by Lucas).  Alex was using his exceptional work rate to create opportunities and Kyle was continuing to thwart all attempts by Canterbury to get the ball into their forward line (with strong support from Will). Despite the distraction of a boundary throw-in hitting a tree branch, Joel was winning the ruck duels easily, demonstrating why he’s one of the best in the competition.  Jack won a free kick and narrowly missed kicking a goal. At the break, the coaches were delighted with the boy’s performance. Gerry noted that ball had been in Fitzroy’s forward line for most of the quarter and encouraged the boys to continue to ‘run and carry’ and to ‘get some yardage’. Paul asked the boys to focus on winning the aerial contests in the final quarter while John told the boys that they’d been ‘absolutely brilliant and unbelievable’.  The final quarter started with Fitzroy under pressure.  Kyle saved a certain goal in the last line of defence, before taking a bounce and kicking the ball out of danger. Darcy took a terrific mark and continued his dashing form, while Tom Ward and Alex were giving their all trying to get the ball into Fitzroy’s forward line (with second and third attempts).  Mason went for a run with the ball and kicked to the wing, while Will and Laird were teaming well in the backline to repel the Canterbury advances.  Joe won the ball at Centre Half Forward and kicked long to Lucas, who then went for a run. Leo ran down the ball on the wing and created a stoppage until help arrived, while Alex dashed out of the backline with the ball, taking a bounce along the way. Jack continued to worry the Canterbury forwards with the intensity of his tackling, while Will won possession of the ball in the last line of defence and used his pace to kick the ball into open space. With that the quarter ended. After congratulating the Canterbury players on their win, the boys left the ground exhausted but thrilled to have participated in such a fast paced game. Back in the rooms Gerry noted that both teams had an even number of inside fifty’s for the game (15 vs 16) however the Canterbury forwards had been more efficient at scoring. He acknowledged that the 14 boys had ‘run out of juice’ towards the end, understandably given that everyone had played all four quarters. John was delighted with the boys performance, in particular their intensity and intent at the ball for the whole game. He noted the impact that Jack had made in the second half of the game with his ‘ferocity’ at getting the ball yet noted that the whole team had shown similar commitment and had competed on all levels. In the face of adversity, the boys had stood up to the challenge and made everyone proud (‘a real highlight of the season’). The footy cards when to Leo and Jack (Leo for his committed performance every week and continued improvement and Jack’s for leading the way for the team in contesting for the ball). Despite the score line not going Fitzroy’s way, everyone felt good about the performance of the team and proud of their achievement.  

Final scores:

Q1: Fitzroy 1.0.6 - Canterbury 2.0.12

Q2: F 0.0.6 - C 3.0.30

Q3: F 2.1.19 - C 1.0.36

Q4: F 0.0.19 - C 1.1.43

A focused Leo warms up before the game

Captain, Alex, leads the team out.

Darcy, a master at exploiting the open spaces

There's no keeping up with Mason in a race for the ball ...

Jack in his titanic contest with Canterbury #2 (being tackled this time)

A focused Tom Ward only has eye's for the ball.

Leo leads from the front and wins possession

Laird and Mason apply a ferocious tackle

Noah Dekker shows his colors as a defender.

Joel, a tower of power in the ruck.

Lucas under pressure, but he gets the handball away ...

Alex, the hardest working player in Junior football ...

Lachie charges into the attack ...

Joe in dashing form, goes for a run ...

Wonderful in defense, Will gets his kick off

Alex is first to congratulate the Canterbury boys.