Under 10 Gold

Coach: Will Watson [w.watson@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au]
0402 942 772

Team Manager: Helen Stevens   [helen@adcore.com.au]  9663 9730

Training: Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm, Saturday 8.30am-10am, Ramsden St

Under 10 GOLD Fixture >>>

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Match Reports & Photos

Under 10 Gold, Round 14 vs Camberwell Coach's Match Report.

This match was a fantastic win for Fitzroy that showed the importance of never giving up and maintaining a hard attack on the football.

Fitzroy started off poorly, conceding three first quarter goals and not scoring any. There were signs that we could match it with Camberwell as we had the ball in our forward zone a few times, but a lack of teamwork was showing as Fitzroy players were often tackled when in possession.

With the wind in the second quarter, Fitzroy managed to keep Camberwell to only one goal, but unfortunately only managed to score one goal and six behinds. This was due in part to Camberwell's insistence on rushing the ball through, however one goal for the quarter considering how often the ball was up there was a poor return.

Down by about 15 points at half-time, the Fitzroy players knew they would have to have a good 3rd quarter to ensure they were still in touch at the start of the 4th. Excellent defense, in particular by Riki and Calum kept Camberwell goalless. A brilliant piece of play by Nathan F. against three attackers in the goal square epitomised the desperation shown by the whole team. Had I been the Camberwell coach that passage would have made me tear my hair out.

The final quarter was far and away the best 15 minutes of football played by the team all season. In a scintillating 5-minute burst early in the quarter, goals to Dylan, Dean, Louie and Luke put Fitzroy in the lead. At this point Camberwell stepped up their intensity, looking for the goal that would tie the scores. Fitzroy was equal to the task, taking courageous marks and smothering opposition kicks. Sam took two important marks that stopped forward thrusts.

When the bell rang, the elation on the players' and parent's faces was incredible. Come from behind wins are always the best.

The most impressive part of the game was that Fitzroy, when challenged, took it up and gave it right back. They showed never-say-die spirit and a confidence in their own ability.

Final Scores: Fitzroy 5.7 (37) def Camberwell 4.7 (31)

Round 8 Under 10 Gold vs Kew Match Report

Although this game was lost to a team that played a consistent four quarters of football, I feel that with such an encouraging
effort from the Lions that had a couple of things gone our way we may have won.

A slow start is possibly what cost us, Kew scoring 2 goals to none in the opening quarter against the wind. As the final score
line saw Fitzroy with a four goal defeat, the opening quarter was a crucial one.

Good umpiring for a junior football match in this game meant players prepared to go in and under were rewarded.

Inaccuracy in front of goal afflicted both teams, however most of our 11 behinds were kicked under relatively little pressure.
But, kicking yips happen to even the best AFL players so that is something I am sure we can turn around.

Nathan F's return to form was inspirational, the captain for the round leading with aplomb and smashing into packs with an
admirable disregard for his own safety. Indri also was wonderfully unworried about his health, even having to leave the ground
at one point with a sore leg, before courageously returning to the field, in Dermott Brereton 1989 Grand Final style. Jake continued
his recent string of top performances, shining as the team's rover. Dylan played a solid all-round game in a role he is unaccustomed to.
Ricky battled well throughout the game.

This team is already achieving a lot in terms of teamwork and pressure on the opposition ball-carriers.

A greater intensity of attack at each contest, and a more even performance from the players along with a more even
performance over the course of the game, will see wins on the board.

Final Scores: Fitzroy 2.11 (23) def by Kew 6.12 (48)

Round 7 Under 10 Gold vs Kew Rovers Match Report

This game was interesting for a couple of reasons and there is a lot to be learnt by the Fitzroy players from this game.

This team has been up against some very classy outfits in the past few rounds and subsequently we have found scoring very difficult, as well as having our defence under virtually constant pressure. There are no easy games in Gold division.

But it is a truism in sport that it is best to improve yourself against strong opposition, and that is what has happened over the past month.

The 3 rd quarter on Sunday is very much a case in point. We were down 7 goals to about 3 points at half-time, the sort of score that can dampen a team's spirits. Fitzroy however chose to put on one of its best quarters for the season, scoring 2 goals, 3 behinds, and keeping Kew Rovers scoreless.

The improvement of our team was epitomised in that quarter by the backline, of which 5 of the 6 players were first year players. The ball was delivered up there several times that quarter but the closeness of the defenders to their opponents meant no clean kicks were put into the danger area, allowing the Lions to clear the ball away.

The team play in that quarter was great, and it was balanced with long, direct, quick movement of the ball to the forward zone where we gave ourselves every opportunity to convert. Five scoring shots to nil in a quarter against a top three side is champagne football in anyone's book.

The blowout of 7 last quarter goals to Kew Rovers meant the final score of 14.7 (91) to 2.6 (18) did not demonstrate the abilities of the two teams, although it does show us that we can not let ourselves relax after one good quarter of football.

And that brings me to our key priority for the rest of the season: Four consistent quarters each match. Our attack on the ball is there, our willingness to get in and under has developed. Teamwork is improving (shown sensationally in a couple of instances on Sunday with some skilful shepherds). Consistency will come.

One final point: the spirit and sportsmanship that the under 10 Golds have played the game in all matches so far can make the club proud.

Under 10 Gold Round 6 vs St Marys Match Report.

This was a match where unfortunately the Fitzroy players did not get reward for their effort. All 24 players tried their best all day which is all that I ask for as a coach.

It was games like this one that make you think there is someone somewhere who just does not like Fitzroy. It seemed every time the ball bounced it bounced in favour of the opposition.

From Sunday's game, many positives were there. Fitzroy players were very often in and under the packs, making attack on the ball their main focus. When in possession of the ball, most of the time they looked to pass it to team mates in the clear.

Yes, there are potential improvements to be made. But these are not for publication in case our opponents for the next few rounds (Kew Rovers, Kew and Hawthorn Cits) have a look!

Final scores Fitzroy 0.1 (1) def by St Marys 12.14 (86)

Under 10 Gold Round 5 vs Camberwell match report.

An excellent four-quarter effort from every single Fitzroy player was the story of this match. After an excellent week on the training track, the Lions player's ferocity at the ball and willingness to get in and under was sensational.

The dedication shown by all the players caused Fitzroy to jump out to an early lead, and the team was gaining excellent drive in the middle, and was always dangerous up forward.

Throughout the match Camberwell struggled for accuracy in front of goal due to extreme pressure applied by the Fitzroy defenders.

Mike, David H and Nathan F were solid as rocks in defence. Alex made sacrifices for the team. David C, Harris K and Jack battled every contest. Louie was a focal point up forward.

A lot of confidence will be carried through to our big clash with St Mary's in round 6.

Final scores: Fitzroy 5.2 (32) def by Camberwell 5.12 (42)

Under 10 Gold Round 4 vs Ivanhoe Match Report.

Round 4 was the first disappointing match played by this team. Right from the start the Lions were second to the ball and seemed to not want to work hard.

Discipline on the field was poor with many Ivanhoe players seemingly without opponents. Early on, the only thing keeping the Lions in the game was Ivanhoe's inaccurate goal kicking.

Paddy Hay tried hard all day and Dylan Leech did some good things but really the team was beaten all over the ground and looked like they did not want to be there.

Possibly the ease of the win the previous week had caused the players to think things would come easy.

In a small positive, the effort improved in the 3 rd and 4 th quarters, but for the whole match Fitzroy players showed absolutely no desperation.

The team has a lot of work to do.

Final scores: Fitzroy 0.3 (3) def by Ivanhoe 10.18 (78)

Under 10 Gold Photos 2004

Round 4 Photos

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