Under 10 Blue >>

MATCH REPORT FITZROY 2 vs. IVANHOE BLACK

Citizen’s Park 6 June 04

We found our way to the ground easy enough this week but the boys lost their way on the field. Beautiful blue skies are not what you expect on the first weekend in winter and it was enough to put the boys off their game! Captained by Thomas Shiels and Evan Evagora, the Royboys started well, the first quarter was an arm wrestle but the 2nd quarter saw Ivanhoe kick away to a 27-point lead at halftime.

Besides the orange and snake, the halftime break was a chance to stop and think about the lack or teamwork and the looseness of the backline. “But,” chirped up one young Royboy, “no. 39 is too good in the ruck.”

It wasn’t a question, it was a blunt, matter-of-fact observation, a statement about the obvious and there was no changing it. It almost stumped Coach Grant.

“Well, what do you want to do? Go home? No, you go out there and you do your best!!”

I wondered if this exchange between coach and player happened at AFL level?? I have seen games where this sort of obvious fact has been apparent to 50000 people, and never actually said out loud. However I decided that most AFL players wouldn’t have the personal attributes to verbalise it to their coach!!! I tried to visualise the exchange between McKernan and Pagan…or Richo and Frawley!!!

That is the beauty of under 10’s football, isn’t it? The obvious can be accepted and we can get on with life because it is a long football road ahead and there is a lot to learn and it cannot all be learnt by Round 9 in your first year of competitive football. As each week passes though, you can see that they are a little wiser about the game and a little sharper and a little more skilful and it is a thrill to watch it happen. One day, too, that big kid won’t be that much bigger anymore!!!

For today though, the third quarter got tougher. The lead out to 49 points. The final quarter saw the Royboys settle a bit and the boys found an avenue to goal through Hugh Whelan. Final scores 1 – 2 (8) to 7 – 14 (56).

Ivanhoe Black were too good, too tall and, at the end, too far ahead!!!!!

Thanks again to all the parents who help on match day in various ways, enjoy the long weekend and see you in Round 10!!

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