Round 6 – Sunday 22nd May -12.00pm for 1.00pm game
Beverly Hills v Fitzroy 1
Doncaster Reserve, Cnr Doncater Rd & Leeds St, Doncaster.
Melway ref 47 K1
This is an away game so WHITE SHORTS
Jobs for this week
Boundary Umpire Richard Yaksender
Goal Umpire Rob Ryan
Trainer 1 Tim Darby (First Aid 1)
Trainer 2 Will Symons
Timekeeper Braybrook family
Oranges & Snakes Oliver family – Noah can you please get from Jodie & hand out
First aid 2 TBC
Round 5 – Sunday 15th May – 10 am for 11 am game
Fitzroy 1 v Ashburton R
WT Peterson Oval (finally!)
Brunswick St, North Fitzroy
Melway ref 2 C2
This is a home game so BLUE SHORTS
LOTS of Jobs for this week!
Boundary Umpire Steven Richardson
Goal Umpire Paul Beaumont
Trainer 1 Tim Darby (First Aid)
Trainer 2 Noah Darby
Timekeeper Gabrielle Baker
Scoreboard Will Symons
Umpire Escort & Interchange Steward Bill Harley
Oranges & Snakes Burke family
Volunteers required:
As this is a home game and first for the day we need to set up which means goal pads, interchange cones, benches etc so any skilled help would be much appreciated!
If anybody would like to read their job description or is unable to be rostered on this week then please let me know as soon as possible.
GO ROYS!
Round 4 – Sunday 8th May – 2 pm for 3 pm game
Fitzroy 1 v Glen Iris G
Fitzroy 2.2 3.4 4.4 4.4 28
Glen Iris 1.2 2.6 8.9 9.11 65
It was back to the stark realities of Gold division for Fitzroy on Mother’s day as they faced Glen Iris, grand finalists from last year, at Ramsden St. Fitzroy were kicking to the northern end, favoured by a stiff south westerly.
From the off it was intense and physical. Glen Iris pressed forward but the Fitzroy defense only conceded a touched behind. Declan, Aidan and Ben were conspicuous in defense before Gus evaded opponents and kicked to Chas, whose kick to the goal came off hands for a behind. Harris was dominating at ball ups around the ground. After a behind to Glen Iris the ball was rebounded in but Max B intercepted and made a massive kick to the centre. Will was forced from the ground with a painful finger injury, to be replaced by Dan. Ben and Andrej both repelled Glen Iris entries into the forward 50 which lead to a long bouncing goal to Michael from a mark and play on. Aidan and Dan did great work to lock the fall in the forward line enabling a mark and conversion by Chas from free kick to Aiden. Charles added a further behind, but despite good defensive efforts by Aidan, Ben, Max B and Lucien, Glen Iris got their first late in the quarter from a fast break. Sensational work had been done in this quarter by Ben and Liam to tag Glen Iris playmakers out of the game.
Now with the wind to their advantage Glen Iris burst out of the blocks in the second with a goal and two behinds. However their momentum was halted by the efforts of Robbie, Declan, Lucien, Liam, and Max B. Aiden scored a behind from assists from Michael, Harris and Aidan, then made amends with a goal at the end of a chain of marks to Charles and Dan. Glen Iris clawed back 2 behinds but could not finish off despite many entries into the forward 50. Notable efforts included Charles taking on 3 opponents and successfully spoiling the kick, a mark and clearance to Robbie, a hard ball get by Max M, and a mark and strong kick by Adam. Dan added another behind, and at the other end Harry prevented a Glen Iris major with a touch on the line. Late in the quarter Fitzroy thwarted any further Glen Iris scoring by locking up the ball on the western wing.
With no attempt at subterfuge representatives of Beverley Hills were interested spectators, presumably to check out Glen Iris, but by half time may have been shifting their attention to their opponents and what they were doing.
The third quarter started promisingly with a mark and conversion by Gus from an acute angle. However, following a ruck infringement Glen Iris hit back with a quick goal. Glen Iris had changed their method of play and were running off to set up loose players, and were even sending up 2 players at field ball ups in an attempt to nullify Harris’s dominance. So despite notable individual efforts by Max B, Robbie, Ben, Declan, Gus and Aidan, Glen Iris piled on a further 5 unanswered goals.
With wind behind them in the last quarter and Glen Iris rampant it could have been ugly, but the ‘Rob boys regrouped and played a great defensive quarter. Standout contributions came from Declan with a run out of defense and a tap, a spoil and then a tackle by Eddie to win a free kick, a tackle and free kick to Charles, and pick ups on the run by Andrej, Aidan, Ben, and even Harris! It would have been a heroic break even quarter but for a late goal to Glen Iris from a free for a centre square infringement.
Next week the boys host top four side Ashburton at Brunswick St (finally!).
Go ‘Roys!
“Chicken Smallhorn” (the ghost of Fitzroy past)
Round 3 – Sunday 1st May – 12 noon for 1pm game
Canterbury v Fitzroy 1
Canterbury 3.2 4.2 4.4 6.4 40
Fitzroy 3.2 5.6 6.13 10.1 74
Fitzroy confronted long time denizens of Gold division, Canterbury at their pretty, little, tree lined ground. Noah was a late withdrawal following his finger injury at training on Friday, but contributed as a trainer. Canterbury were notable for their relative uniformity in size, but conspicuously lacked one or more big men.
Although having the advantage of the 2 goal slope Fitzroy spent the early part of the quarter repelling Canterbury attacks, with notable contributions by Declan and Andrej. Chas opened the account with a major from handballs by George and Adam, who had been awarded a free kick at centre half forward. Fitzroy added a second less than a minute later as Harris tapped cleanly to Gus at the resulting centre bounce, and George crumbed the kick off the hands of the pack. Canterbury’s first shot on goal was enthusiastically signaled a goal by the goal umpire despite appearing to have been touched. Behinds followed to George, and to Canterbury, but a failure to clear the kick in was exploited with a major by Canterbury. Canterbury then took the lead with a quick break from centre. Fitzroy responded with a goal to Michael from assists by Chas and Harris. The quarter finished with conspicuous efforts by Max B, Max M, Lucien, Ben and Will and a further behind to each side.
With the scores tied the game remained evenly poised. Andrej took a relieving mark at centre half back before Lucien scored a behind from a chain of passes from Aiden, Michael and Adam. Further behinds followed to rushed, and to Adam after a strong mark. Harris, Max M and Robbie were conspicuous, until Mike passed to Gus who broke a tackle, ran his maximum 10 metres, and handballed to Dan who goaled. Declan was emulating the “Flying doormat” at half back with his clearances. Great tackles by Dan and Marcus lead to a behind and a goal, to Lucien and Michael, but Canterbury hit back immediately with a major. Harris dominating in ruck was even tapping back to advantage in set plays. The Fitzroy defense continued to hold strong with marks to Andrej, Declan, Max B, and Robbie, clearances by Robbie and Max B, a smother by Declan, and a tackle for a free kick by Aidan. Both sides had been going in strongly, and with a 10 point margin the game was still there for the winning.
The third quarter started brightly for Fitzroy with a running goal from Lucien, courtesy of the upfield efforts of Gus and George. But thereafter the boys failed to exploit the advantage of possession and kicking to the favoured end. So although Canterbury only registered 2 behinds Fitzroy scored seven of their own. Nevertheless there were many notable efforts including from Max B, George, and Aiden, but no more than from Declan who late in the quarter propelled the ball forward 50 metres from centre half back with 4 efforts including 2 tackles.
After a seemingly innocuous coming together late in the third Michael was unable to continue in the last, appearing to be concussed. With only 21 points the difference Canterbury clearly fancying their chances, came out fired up, and the game seemed to shift up another gear. The first part of the quarter was fought out in the Fitzroy defensive zone as Canterbury attacks were repulsed by Max B, Robbie, Declan, and Harris. Eventually Canterbury moved the ball the length of the field for a scrambled goal. Robbie took three successive marks at full back, and Declan put in two efforts to clear the ball. Against the run of play a succession of handballs under pressure by Aidan, Max M, Eddie, and George gave Liam a true shot on goal. Marcus took a relieving mark at full back before Canterbury scored another major to put them back in the game. This provoked a remarkable response; in the space of 60 seconds two goals were scored in identical fashion: Harris palmed to Gus whose kicked was marked and converted by George. The purple patch continued at the next centre bounce, but this time Aidan won the clearance, kicked to Lucien, who delivered to George again for a major. The boys rounded out their first ever win over Canterbury with another behind.
The boys may have confirmed their presence in Gold but next week they face the formidable Glen Iris.
Go ‘Roys!
“Chicken Smallhorn” (the ghost of Fitzroy past)
Sunday 10 April
Fitzroy v Camberwell
Fitzroy 0.0 3.3 9.4 11.7 73
Camberwell 0.4 0.4 1.5 1.7 13
The U14-1’s locked horns with old adversaries Camberwell at YJFL’s headquarters at Bulleen Park. Past encounters with Camberwell have always been tight, they had often decided our finals fortunes, and we had managed to beat them on only one previous occasion.
Max M fulfilling his newly acquired responsibilities as captain, following selection by his peers, won the toss and chose to kick to the apparently wind favoured southern end.
The first quarter was very scrappy, with neither side able to move the ball with any system, and both defenses seemingly dominant. Robbie brushed aside three opponents to win the ball at centre half back, and Declan rebounded on the last line with 3 follow up efforts. Harris was being a good roving ruckman, winning taps at every ball up. The stalemate was broken with 2 behinds to Camberwell. Ben took a strong mark at centre half back, and Adam contested some field ball ups. Declan, Eddie and Michael continued to resist Camberwell’s forward pressure, and Adam and Lucien put in good second efforts. Late in the quarter with the back line under siege Camberwell kicked another two behinds. The game seemed to be following a familiar script.
Fitzroy’s fortunes started to turn in the second, with attacking moves coming from half back. A lovely chain of passes from Harris, Gus, Aidan, Lucien and Andrej down the scoreboard wing was repelled, and Adam went down heavily on his shoulder and head. The Camberwell defense rushed a behind, followed by another behind to Max M. Michael and Aidan were prominent as Camberwell continued to exert forward pressure. Lucien scored a behind from an acute angle from passes from Gus and Aidan. Fitzroy finally manufactured a goal that started at full back with Eddie applying a tackle, and 2 smothers and channeling the ball through Gus, Chas, and Gus again to Noah. Chas marked from a pass from Michael and goaled from a long kick that evaded the defenders fingers. From a beautiful chain of possessions by Harris, Gus, Lucien, and Aiden, the ball was in the air off Andrej’s boot when the siren sounded, followed by it sailing through for a major.
Having broken the impasse with 3 goals in 5 minutes Fitzroy didn’t take their foot off the accelerator in the third. George featured prominently, with a feed to Aiden who goaled, and two goals himself. The first one originated with Robbie at full back and ended with a kick just forward of centre that bounced through with no players in the arc! Eddie took a brave mark running away from the ball. Noah was in the zone with two grabs and conversions in the hot spot, one that also started from strong work by Robbie at centre half back. Camberwell finally managed their first and only goal. Max M, Aidan, Chas, Ben, Declan and Harris featured before Harry marked and kicked Fitzroy’s sixth for the quarter.
Early in the last the rain descended. The Fitzroy defense was still resolute with a clearance by Robbie and two by Max B. Lucien, Ben, Gus, Will, and Mike were prominent. Robbie and Gus fed to George whose shot on goal was off line. A chain of marks to Andrej, George, and Chas delivered to Noah, who recovered, evaded defenders, and majored. Following a behind to Camberwell an unbroken chain of marks from Gus, Eddie, Aidan, and Max M was marked and converted by Noah for his fifth. Declan ran the ball out of defense, and recovered his attempted bounce. Eddie laid a good shepherd to allow Gus and Aidan to push the ball forward. Late in the quarter Harry had 2 shots on goal for 2 behinds, which extended the margin to exactly 10 goals.
Following their traditional practice, Camberwell awarded their “encouragement“ medal to Eddie.
After a welcome 3 week break we next take on Gold division perennials Canterbury.
Go ‘Roys!
“Chicken Smallhorn” (the ghost of Fitzroy past)
Sunday 3 April
St Marys v Fitzroy
St Marys 5.1 10.4 17.8 19.10 124
Fitzroy 2.1 2.2 2.2 5.5 35
The U14-1’s had a sobering re-introduction to Gold division when they went down to the formidable St Mary’s at A.K. Line reserve in Bundoora by 91 points.
With 4 major outs, and three debutants including Marcus promoted from the 2s, Fitzroy had only one interchange. St Mary’s won the toss and kicked to the aerial and terrestrial vector favoured northern end. Both sides seemed tentative early, and it was Fitzroy that was the first to move the ball with system and purpose. Max B made a good clearance on the last line of defense, Declan laid a great tackle at centre half back, and the boys were adhering to Andy’s request for 3 at the ball. From a strong mark by Chas at centre half forward first gamer Adam slotted a goal from his first mark and kick! Despite the worthy efforts of George and others St Mary’s reasserted themselves to kick the next five goals by switching the play and exploiting unmarked players in the forward line. Late in the first Aidan was forced from the field when he aggravated his ankle injury, to be the lone figure on the interchange bench. From the final play of the quarter a pass from Adam was marked by Harris, resting in the forward line, who kicked long into the wind for a major, to make it a 3 kick margin.
Kicking with a four goal advantage in the second, and memories of a similar scenario at Hawthorn Cits, Fitzroy had reason for optimism. However it was not to be. Fitzroy were outmuscled by their bigger bodied opponents, who played on and kicked to loose men at every opportunity. St Mary’s ran the ball in 3s and 4s down the defensive flanks, before realigning to approach the goals front on. Harris was consistently winning the ball ups but it was to no avail as St Mary’s systematically cleared the ball from centre. However Fitzroy players, notably George, Declan, and Max B continued to contest at every opportunity.
St Mary’s were at their assertive best in the third with the ball camped in their attacking half, and the Fitzroy defense attempting to stem the tide. With the prospect of a robust contest at every exchange even normally assertively marking Fitzroy players were dropping marks from perceived pressure.
Fitzroy were playing for pride in the last, and did not disappoint. Harris won yet another clearance and kicked to Noah at centre half forward who recovered the spilled mark, to run and bounce, and kick to Declan at full forward, who goaled. After having his ankle iced on the bench for most of the match, Aidan had returned to the field in the last, but was in the process of coming off when his path intersected with a Fitzroy attack. With vision he intercepted a pass from Chas and laid off to Mike who kicked truly. From the next forward thrust a hobbling Declan hit the post from an acute angle. Fitzroy were reasserting themselves in the air with strong marks to Ben and Charles, and George and Gus were pressing the ball forward. Both George and Will put in great second efforts, and Max M won the ball from a 2 on 1 contest, before Mike kicked his second, and Fitzroy’s third of the quarter.
With no easy games in Gold we look forward to locking horns with past acquaintance Camberwell next week (in Bulleen?). Go ‘Roys!
“Chicken Smallhorn” (the ghost of Fitzroy past)