Under 12-1 2009

Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 Game 8 Game 9 Game 10 Game 11 Game 12 Game 13 Game 14 Game 15

Game 1

Ashburton 0.3 1.3 3.3 6.4 40

Fitzroy 1.0 6.1 6.4 7.4 46

Continuing our exploration of Melbourne's northern and eastern suburbs we journeyed to Burwood to face new entrants to the competition Ashburton. The ground was sandy and well grassed. By virtue of his effort at training during the week Harry Hopkins was captain for the day. Fitzroy won the toss and elected to kick to the northern end.

From the start Fitzroy drove the ball into their half but due to Ashburton's defense there was no cigar. Then it was the turn of the Fitzroy defense to feel the heat, as Ashburton scored 2 behinds, one of them rushed. In what was a trend for the day both Charles and Robbie dropped marks but their second efforts retained the ball and made telling disposals. Then Eddie won the ball at half-back, kicked long to Louis, who was interfered with after the mark. The resulting 15 m penalty meant that Louis could deliver to Noah in the goal square, who converted. Ashburton scored another behind but then a great chain of passes from the kick in, to Charles, Aidan, Noah, and then to Iraklis who evaded the defenders, was repelled by Ashburton.

Early in the second quarter Declan took a great saving mark in the goal square. However Ashburton seemed to have loose men everywhere, as a chain of passes to 6 unmarked players resulted in a goal. With Ashburton in front the boys realised they had a game on their hands. It became a slog until a purple patch in the last 5 minutes of the quarter. A chain of passes from Lucien to Andrej, Chas, and to Louis resulted in the ball falling off a pack where Louis picked up and goaled. Ben delivered to Aiden, who broke free, and kicked to Sapphire, who dropped the mark but picked up and kicked truly. From a free kick Lucien passed to Louis who went for a run and bounce around the half forward flank, before kicking to Noah whose second effort resulted in a goal. Then Lucien effected a spoil, picked up and ran, before goaling with a long raking kick that was enthusiastically celebrated. It was not finished, for Noah won the ball at half forward, and bombed to Sapphire who dropped the mark but recovered to send the ball bouncing through for a major. There was a somewhat premature expression of triumphalism from players and spectators at half time.

The boys started the third quarter as if they mean't to go on with it, peppering the goals, but all that resulted was 3 behinds including a poster to Noah. Then the tide turned and Ashburton put on 2 goals, which would have been more if not for the defensive efforts of Declan and Harry J. amongst others. It had been a goal-less quarter for Fitzroy, and a bit of a reality check.

The coach's instructions at three quarter time were clear: mark your man. The boys re-established a buffer early in the quarter when a great chain of passes from Aiden to Andrej, and Noah gave Louis, who had recovered from his knock the previous quarter, his second goal. Ashburton hit back with a goal but were denied another one by a great tackle by Eddie. Great marks by George and Chas produced no result. Harry J. effected a great saving mark in defense, but the ball was swept back by Ashburton for another goal. Chas was dominating in the ruck but the Ashburton followers were feeding off his taps. Another goal to Ashburton started to make it uncomfortable, made worse when Ashburton scored a behind to make it a one goal game, with a kick in to follow. With the clock ticking Eddie took his time and, following the coach's instructions, kicked long to the downhill flank, where the ball was forced over the line as the siren sounded.

The boys had beaten a premiership side from the now defunct Waverley JFA, but there is plenty of room for improvement.

Next we meet our old friends Camberwell at home. Go 'Roys!

"Chicken Smallhorn" (the ghost of Fitzroy past)