Contacts
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Coach – DEAN CROMB
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Team Manager -JOE DONNOLI & DE PELLEGRIN
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Assistants – JOHN RYAN
Match Report – Round 6
Our round six clash against Kew Rovers started well with Harry P, Ben C and Harrison breaking through a fabulous banner to celebrate their 100th games played with the Roys.
And, apart from a period in the third quarter when Kew Rovers rallied, the celebrations continued right through the game until our boys were able to sing a rousing version of the Club song in the rooms afterwards!
The game started with a goal to Ben C in the first minutes and plenty of movement to our forward line. And while Kew scored soon after, Harry P twice repelled other moves forward and then David moved the ball beautifully out of defence to Riley, who kicked to Ben Mac on the wing. Ben moved it to Ned who skilfully passed it to Micah to bring up the Roys second goal in the first five minutes. Parents watching asked if they dare hope for a good result. A goal to James right on the siren saw Fitzroy go into the first break with a handy lead.
Little did spectators know at that stage that the Roys would play their best quarter for the year in the second term, to lead 9. 3.57. to Kew Rovers 2. 2. 14. at half-time.
Kew started the quarter well, with their second goal in the first minute, but the rest of the quarter belonged to us. Ben Mac marked and passed to Daniel who goaled, before then passing the ball to James a minute later for James’ second. After some desperate play in packs, Aiden showed off all his skills with a snap which resulted in a great goal, before taking a courageous mark shortly after and passing truly to Ben C for his second of the day.
Throughout the quarter, Ned and Hugh were herculean in the ruck and in moving the ball forward, with Hugh scoring after a great pass by Harry D-T. Ample support was provided by Josh, Lewis, Riley, Isaac and Tom R who played the second half with his head bandaged after a heavy second quarter knock. Tom S was unlucky not to feature in the goal kicking after some great shots for goal kept up the Roys’ momentum.
After a beautiful mark by Riley led to another terrific goal by Daniel early in the third quarter, the Roys lost their momentum and confidence and let Kew Rovers back into the game. Two quick goals were scored by the Kew team and these were followed by another two, before the Roys steadied somewhat in the last part of the quarter. Against much bigger opponents, Anthony and Fraser defended valiantly. The margin at the last break had been whittled down to 25 points.
The last quarter saw the Roys lift again with some great marks on the goal line by Riley and Fraser to stop Kew Rovers moving closer. Charlie came into his own and goaled, after a well-deserved free kick. Hugh and Ned’s rucking was again finding targets and Lewis stormed through packs to get the ball out of the centre. Harrison made the ball his own with a fabulous grab before goaling and Hugh moved the ball to Ben Mac who steadied before kicking the Roys’ 13th for the game. Some lovely marking by David in the dying minutes kept Kew from scoring again. Well done Roys!
Congratulations to Harrison, Harry P and Ben C for reaching their 100th games and to Dean, John and all the coaching team for all their hard work and dedication.
Round 5 match report vs Kew
Our team has suffered some heartbreaking defeats at Victoria Park Lower during the last few seasons, but this week saw the Roy Boys enjoy an emphatic win against Kew. The onlydownside was seeing poor Rory dislocate his shoulder early in the game. Rory, we’re all thinking of you and sending our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
The game started with the ball in Kew’s forward line for a moment while the boys were finding their feet on the muddy ground, then the Fitzroy goal kicking party began. Hugh scored from a free kick, James received a beautiful pass from Ben Mc and kicked truly, Josh ran into an open goal, Ben C kicked a skilful goal around his body and Daniel booted an accurate long bomb after marking a centering kick from James. All these goals were the result of superb teamwork. Riley pushed the ball forward from half back, Ned tackled with strength and Micah created opportunities with excellent marking and direct kicking. David and Harry P were reliable in defence, allowing only one behind to be kicked by Kew while Fitzroy established a comfortable lead of 34 points by quarter time.
Of course, everyone was keen to get on the scoreboard. So much so that at the break, Dean urged his players to avoid flooding and give the forwards a chance to go one on one with their opponents. Worthwhile advice, but tough to comply with. Kew flooded their defence for the rest of the game, to the point where at times it was difficult to see what was going on in the goal square and who our goal scorers were. So, apologies for any mistakes in this match report. We believe that Daniel kicked three goals in the second quarter, one off the ground and a couple from set shots having been delivered the ball by team mates James and Harry D-T. James marked a great kick from Isaac and played on to kick a quick goal, then Ben Mac and Charlie combined in a lovely passage of play resulting in a long goal by Charlie. Meanwhile Oskar, T Rob, Frazer K and Harrison toughed it out in the back pockets and Micah applied pressure all over the ground. Fitzroy took a nine goal lead into the third quarter 10.8 (68) to 1.1 (7)
After half time, there was no stopping the Fitzroy boys. Early in the third term, Harry D-T kicked off the ground for his first goal and James, Daniel and Charlie added to their tallies. Ben Mac was always exactly where he needed to be (usually running down the wing) ready to tap the ball on to his team mates and Josh was sending the ball forward with direct kicks while Aiden was flying high and winning the contests. Micah was all over the ground, grabbing the ball and running forward while Anthony stuck like glue to his opponent, denying him any possessions.
The last quarter saw Isaac score a goal from a well-earned free kick and Harry D-T showed all his skills, kicking three majors. James took an amazing contested mark in a huge pack in the goal square then goaled and Fraser W delighted everyone with the last goal of the match. The back line had a relatively quiet day and Fitzroy secured a satisfying win 21.20 (146) to 2.2 (14), although Harry P was very upset to let a goal through in the last quarter.
Our congratulations to Isaac, who has been selected in Division 1 U14 Yarra Squad.
Match Report – Round 4
It was a sign of just how much our Roy boys are loved by their mothers when so many were there to cheer them on this week in such awful weather, instead of being tucked up at a nice Mother’s Day lunch somewhere!
And for the first half our boys gave supporters plenty of reason to cheer, keeping Ashburton tightly held and setting up some lovely passages down the ground to goal.
The first half was dominated by the efforts of Lewis in both defence and the middle, the indefatigable Harry P, Riley, Tom and Fraser in defence and Ben Mc and Daniel on the wings. Ned, Hugh, Charlie and Ben C gave their all throughout, ably supported by Anthony, Harry D-T, David, Harrison and Josh.
Aidan, James and Harry D-T scored three lovely goals following passages of play which saw the Roys move the ball effectively from one end of the other. Unfortunately we didn’t get too much of a chance to enjoy Micah’s usual brilliant bursts out with the ball after a head high collision with Ned in the second half left them both bloodied.
And while the margin was only three goals at half-time, Ashburton hit their straps after the long break , with our boys having no reply to their speed, determination to move the ball forward and their bigger bodies. Rory took some lovely marks in the last quarter and Oskar threw his body in whenever called on.
Round 3 match report vs St Marys
Our matches against St Marys are always close, tense and, at times, emotional. This game was no exception. It was a tight tussle all day and late in the final quarter, when Fitzroy looked to have it “in the bag” with a comfortable lead, St Mary’s posted a couple of quick goals then a behind to bring the margin back to one straight goal. It was a nail biting finish.
The game started with a lot of action on the wing. Lewis was flying high and applying physical pressure but St Marys were out of the blocks early and scored the first goal of the day. Fitzroy then hit back with Ben C running hard through the centre and Ned taking a great mark and passing off to Daniel who goaled. James impressed our supporters, taking a mark right in front of goal and kicking straight to give Fitzroy a six point lead. Across half forward, Harrison, Lachie, Hugh, Josh and Ned all worked hard trying to conjure scoring opportunities without due reward, but at the defensive end of the ground, Riley, Harry P and Ben Mc collaborated to win the ball and frustrate their opponents so Fitzroy managed to hold the lead until late in the second quarter when St Marys kicked two quick goals to take a 4 point lead at the long break.
During the second half, Fitzroy looked determined to take control of the game. The intensity lifted with Micah crashing through the packs and great second efforts by Anthony, Rory and Frazer K holding up the opposition’s play. Lewis and Ben Mc combined to deliver the ball to James who marked and goaled, then Hugh dribbled the ball through the goal posts in true Buddy Franklin style and Fitzroy looked on top of the game. The next goal showed excellent use of the centre corridor; Harry P kicked in from full back to Charlie who bombed it long to the forward line where James added to his tally. Following a massive scramble in the goal square, Hugh goaled from a free kick before St Marys was able to steady with a couple of goals. Then Riley took a magnificent overhead contested mark and set up a very handy goal by Ben C just before the three quarter time siren.
At the break Dean urged his players to maintain intensity. His instructions were followed with desperate tackling at half back by Isaak, Tom and Fraser W. Both Bens kicked goals, Ben C capitalising on swift transfer of the ball from the back line and Ben Mc kicking a beautiful long goal after a skilful centering pass from Daniel. Fitzroy looked to be home. But the last few minutes were truly nerve-racking when St Marys closed the gap to six points. The siren couldn’t come quickly enough, but when it did the Fitzroy boys had secured their first win of the season, 9.7 (61) to 8.7 (55). We all hope Oskar has recovered after hitting his head early in the match and will be fit to play next week.
Match Report Rd 2
Returning to our home ground wasn’t quite as welcoming as we would have liked, with the team in the very odd position of being goalless at half-time. But, luckily, it proved a game of two halves with our boys looking like they might even snatch a late victory.
In the first half, the Boroondara Hawks dominated the play with their boys first to the ball and marking strongly. While our boys chased valiantly, they were let down by too many spilled marks, which, if held, would have provided much needed momentum.
Throughout the first half, the Hawks ability to score goals was consistently well held by the hard work of the tireless Harry P, Oskar, Harrison and Tom Robinson. Our big men, Ned and Hugh, worked hard across the ground and Charlie, Micah and Harry-DT made the most of their opportunities. As usual, Ben Mac enjoyed running the length of the ground. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to follow up a great mark in front of goal with the team’s first major score.
The Roys ran out strongly from the beginning of the first half and the ball was moved forward beautifully along the grandstand wing by Riley, Harrison, Charlie and Daniel. Ben C held his ground in several marking contests but it took until midway through the third quarter for the team’s first two goals to be kicked by Aidan. Daniel and Rory battled strongly in the Roys forward line and the Roys were pumped going into the last quarter with the wind.
As with the previous game, the team played a strong last quarter with Charlie setting the scene with an early mark. Ben Mac landed a crunching tackle which helped move the ball forward to Ben C whose efforts were finally rewarded with a goal. The Hawks’ first foray forward in the last quarter saw a brilliant smother by Harrison and Oskar followed up by driving the ball through the centre to Riley and Daniel who both helped get it to James for goal. Unfortunately the Hawks were able to steady and kick away again for an ultimate win 9.14.68 to 4.8.40.
Round 1 Match Report vs Kew Rovers
We began the 2011 season playing Kew Rovers, the reigning premiers, expecting a tough game of footy and it was. The first quarter was a wonderful display of courage and grit with both teams desperate for the ball, making scoring shots hard to come by. Isaac, Riley and Oskar worked hard at half back while Ben C found plenty of space on the far wing to help keep the ball moving forward. Lewis had all his fine skills on show, taking some amazing marks and crashing through packs to deliver the ball to his team mates. Ned kicked Fitzroy’s first goal of the season and Kew Rovers were held to a single goal for the quarter by some frantic work at full back by the Fitzroy defence players. At quarter time the scoreboard reflected a tight contest with Kew Rovers 1.2 (8) to Fitzroy 1.1 (7).
Unfortunately Kew Rovers established a match winning lead in the second quarter, moving the ball with ease off half back into their forward fifty. Despite the best efforts of our defending players, Kew Rovers scored two goals early in the quarter before Lewis took a strong mark, starting a passage of play that resulted in Micah getting Fitzroy’s second goal of the day. Another three goals were added to the Kew Rovers tally before the siren, and the half time score was 6.3 (39) to 2.2 (14).
The third quarter was played in light drizzle and Kew Rovers immediately applied more pressure with an early goal. However, the Fitzroy boys were able to respond with some hard footy. After an intense scramble in the midfield Daniel kicked a well-needed goal while deep in the back line Harry P and Riley supported each other, with help from Harrison, to hold Kew Rovers to just two goals for the quarter. The three quarter time score was 8.5 (53) to 3.4 (22).
A highlight of the final quarter was a brilliant tackle by Oskar on one of the opposition star players. It resulted in a goal to Josh and a boost of confidence to the team. James found himself at half back where he provided some height and Fraser and David battled hard across the back line to limit scoring opportunities. Unfortunately though, Fitzroy was unable to reduce the lead the Kew Rovers set up in the second quarter and were eventually defeated by 34 points, 9.10 (64) to 4.6.(30).
