Under 12-1 2009

Game 1 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 9

Doncaster Heights 2.1 3.2 4.2 8.5 53

Fitzroy 0.3 0.3 4.5 4.5 29

Expectations were high as the U12 Golds journeyed into the commuter belt to take on the cellar dwellers Doncaster Heights. The ground was rough and had a drop of at least 3 metres down to the north western end. Angus and Gabe were captains for the day, won the toss, and elected to kick to the downhill end, with no expectation that the topography would change during the course of the game.

Following a familiar script for our boys, Doncaster Heights jumped out of the blocks in the first quarter. They added a goal and were denied a further one by a touch. From the kick in the ball was carried to the Fitzroy end where Louis was awarded a free kick and registered a behind. The ball then became camped in the Fitzroy half. Ben was awarded a free kick and delivered to Declan who took a great mark. Both Gus and Chas had shots on goal that unluckily hit the (very slim) posts. Doncaster Heights then scored a goal in the last second of the quarter by moving the ball unchallenged up the clubhouse flank. Doncaster Heights had defied the laws of gravity by outscoring the 'Roy boys in the first quarter.

In the face of adversity the boys really lifted their game in the second quarter. Noah was in the ruck and took a good mark from a Robbie feed. Both Noah and Andrej embarked upon runs with multiple bounces but the thrust was repelled. Jim was in the thick of it on the half forward line, and Gus kept firing it into the hot spot where Fitzroy was seemingly outnumbered. All this amounted to little as a defensive error gifted Doncaster Heights a goal in the dying minutes.

The brains trust were busy with the magnets at half time as they reconfigured the positions. The changes paid off as Fitzroy used the slope to great effect. Ollie took a great mark on the half forward flank, and kicked forward where Sapphire was awarded a free and converted. Aiden and Andrej combined in a great1-2 to set up Andrej for a run and bounce, and delivery to Ollie who registered a behind. This was followed by further behinds to Ollie and George. Sadly Louis got wacked behind play and was forced to retire from the ground. Two handballs from Sapphire set up goals, first to George; and then one to Ben whose kick was marked by Ollie, and kicked forward where Noah pounced and snapped truly. Successive free kicks to Noah and then to George produced a further goal. With a feeling of deja vu the opposition answered with a goal in the last second of the quarter, but still Fitzroy went to the final break with the lead.

Fitzroy's sense of expectation of a second win for the season was cruelly dashed as Doncaster Heights exploited the slope to add 4 unanswered goals in the last quarter. Unfortunately both Noah and Jim were on the receiving end of physical stuff by the same perpetrator, unspotted by the umpire.

As part of their 40th anniversary Doncaster Heights awarded a medal to the most sportsman-like opposition player, which deservedly went to Ben.

With the boys having played all sides once perhaps it is time to take stock and reflect upon the lessons of the first half of the season: Gold is an elite competition; a champion team will defeat a team of champions, and one good quarter does not win a game.

Next we face Ashburton, who we defeated in round 1, by virtue of a 5 minute purple patch. Go 'Roys!

"Chicken Smallhorn" (the ghost of Fitzroy past)