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 8

Fitzroy 0.2 4.2 4.2 4.3 27

Canterbury 4.0 4.1 7.2 9.5 59

At "Hungry" the U12 Gold's took on Canterbury, a side whose ladder position suggested we would be competitive against. It was a surprisingly mild and balmy day with no wind. The boys welcomed Dan back for his first game of the season, Chas was captain for the day, and Fitzroy elected to kick to the southern end in the first quarter.

Canterbury gave Fitzroy a footballing lesson in the first quarter: how to move the ball slickly, with backing up, shepherding, and talking, and to always pass to an unmarked teammate in a better position. As a result the game was conducted almost exclusively in the Fitzroy's backline, and Canterbury accumulated 4 goals. The few highlights for Fitzroy this quarter included 2 behinds to Aidan, good marks by Harris, Louis and Harry, a run and two bounces out of defense by Andrej, and a great tackle by Chas.

The brains trust asked the boys not to drop their shoulders at the break, and a remarkable transformation came over game in the second quarter. Noah was swung into the ruck, and won nearly every ball up. Aidan took a feed at the centre bounce, handballed to Louis whose deep kick was marked by Sapphire. The resulting kick was gathered by Otis, whose kick was marked by Louis, who had followed the ball, and duly converted. From the resumption Noah delivered to Aidan who bounced the ball and wove around opponents to register Fitzroy's second goal in a minute. Next Gabe won the ball and delivered to the hot spot where the ball was forced forward by Otis and Sapphire to Louis who goaled. At the other end Harris touched through a Canterbury shot on goal for a behind. Otis was then on the receiving end of a slinging tackle, and when he was forced to leave the ground Noah took the free kick, delivering deep to the pocket where Louis took a great contested mark and posted his third major for the term.

Once again the pendulum swung, and in the third quarter it was Canterbury's turn to be completely dominant, running in two and threes, with loose men everywhere. The sorry tale for the 'Roy boys in this quarter was the concession of 3 goals without a yelp.

Noah was back in the ruck in the last quarter, and was combining well with Aidan, who was copping some unwarranted attention. However a goal to Canterbury in the first minute snuffed out any chance of a come from behind victory. The boys played the game out to the end, but apart from a cameo run and bounce from Andrej, there was little to enthuse about.

Unlike Canterbury Fitzroy weren't able to get the soufflé to rise twice. Honourable mentions to our 3 new boys Harris, Gabe and Angus who all made significant contributions.

Next we have a danger game against Doncaster Heights. Go 'Roys!

"Chicken Smallhorn" (the ghost of Fitzroy past)