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On the tail end of the mid year school holidays the U13 Browns where hosted by Macleod. There was a strong gusty north wind blowing and Fitzroy were kicking to the favoured southern end in the first.
Harris led the ruck division in the first. Macleod got the first decisive break with a bouncing goal. Declan took a good mark at full back but Macleod were able to add a behind from a free kick. Macleod again sliced through the half forward line to add another goal before Fitzroy had even troubled the scorers. Numbers 7 and 8 for Macleod were fast and elusive. Against the run of play Harry H kicked to a contest, where the ball came off Harris’ hands, and was roved by Aidan for a goal. Harry J was being courageous putting his body in. A kick forward by Max B was picked up by Gus and passed to Andrej who converted. Harris was leading by example putting in a spoil and then gathering, winning 2 free kicks, as the action took place in the defensive zone. Macleod’s marking power was on show with a chain of uncontested possessions that only produced a behind.
So much for kicking to the scoring end! Fitzroy were lucky to even be in touch, having made only two entries into the forward 50, but with 100% efficiency, and Andy made this abundantly clear at quarter time.
The message hadn't seemed to register as Macleod’s forward pressure started the quarter with 2 shots on goal that were touched, more marks by loose players, and a further rushed behind. Fitzroy reciprocated with 2 behinds before a kick out of centre came of Chas' hands and was pounced on by George for a major. Macleod took back the lead with a goal constructed from 2 uncontested marks. Gabe ran into an open goal but his kick deviated from plumb, but Fitzroy wrenched back the lead from a free kick to Chas, courtesy of a great mark and pass from Gus.
The boys were evidently still in holiday mode, tentative, with little or no first touch possessions, and undeserving of the lead.
The third quarter started promisingly with a free to Robbie, a mark by Aidan, and a mark and conversion by George. Mike registered a behind, before a succession of slick handballs enabled Harris to kick to the goal square where George marked, went back, and kicked truly. A shot on goal by Macleod was touched, but as is often the case, a failed clearance resulted in a goal. There could have easily been another goal to Macleod with no defenders on the line, but fortunately the shot was wayward. Declan took a pack busting mark at full back but the ball was rebounded by Macleod with 2 uncontested marks for another behind. A promising buildup by Ben, through the evasive skills of Noah, and Mike, gave George a behind. The resulting kick in was marked by Mike and kicked to the hot spot where Aidan crumbed and goaled. Fitzroy got their first clean break out of centre when Gus's kick was marked by George, who played on and goaled. Noah added another from the upfield efforts of Aidan, George, Mike and Gus. Conditions were so hazardous that Otis sustained an eye injury sitting on the bench! An ominous thrust by Macleod was repelled by Dan at centre half back.
To Fitzroy's benefit the wind had swung around more to the north west in the last. From the first bounce Declan won the tap, and the ball was propelled to the hot spot, where it was won off hands by George and slotted for a major. Macleod hit back with a goal from a chain of 3 uncontested marks. A great chain of slick hand balls starting at centre half back only produced a behind. Noah scored another major from the awarding of a free for being held without, on the end of marks and kicks by Dan and Mike. From an impossible angle in the pocket Chas roved a throw in and his exploratory underground kick evaded a pack of defenders for a goal. At the resulting bounce Declan claimed 4 successive touches. From a free kick to Harry J, Harry H won a contested ball and kicked to George who marked and registered his sixth for the day.
Otherwise in the round Hawthorn Cits continued their inexorable charge for a top 4 berth, and can anyone believe the score line from the St Damians – Surrey Park game?
Next week, there will be no room for school holiday hangovers as we take on the Godzillas of the competition, Park Orchards, on our turf. Go 'Roys!
“Chicken Smallhorn” (the ghost of Fitzroy past)
Game 12