| Round
16 - August 6th
Fitzroy
6-7-43pts defeated by Surrey Park 9-8-62pts
A
game plus percentage out of the finals, playing a top 3 team, and
our rivals at McLeod playing one of the weaker teams – some might
say a “Geelong's chance” of making it, but that didn't stop the
coach from exhorting the boys to give it their best shot in his
pre-match address.
The
match began with Fitzroy kicking towards the city end of the Ramsden
St oval and into a 2-3 goal breeze. Oscar, Max, Riley and Sebastian
put in a huge effort at the centre bounces to give our forwards
a number of opportunities but the Surrey Park (SP) half-back line
was too tall and too strong and we were unable to post a score for
the quarter. Our defence came under some intense pressure but with
strong efforts from Alex, Kit and Lucas across half back and from
Ben Mac at full back managed to hold SP to 3 goals, 2 behinds.
Hopes
were high for a better effort kicking with the breeze in the second
quarter and we certainly got off to a good start. Oscar gathered
the ball in the centre and his long kick to half-forward was marked
by Harvey . Harvey passed on to Lucien who played on after marking.
A strong tackle saw a free to SP but their resulting forward thrust
was intercepted by Michael and Oscar. Oscar passed the ball forward
to Ben O who in turn passed forward to Ben Mac. Ben's 35-40m drop-punt
on the run (distance estimated by Ben) went thru for Fitzroy's first
goal. SP responded quickly with a good goal from a tight angle but
at the ensuing centre bounce the ball was again moved quickly into
our forward line where a quick snap from Otis resulted in a point.
SP scored a further 2 points for the quarter – one a certain goal
before some heroics from Floyd on the last line of defence – to
go into half-time with 21 point lead.
Kicking
into the wind again in the third quarter was always going to be
tough but the boys put in a huge effort. With Oscar off injured,
Emile was moved into the ruck and was ably assisted by Riley, Harry
and Sebastian at the centre bounce. SP scored two quick points but
Frazer and Ben O were combining well and with the mid-fielders were
able to get the ball forward on a number of occasions. Harry scored
a point and, just after, Sebastian crashed into the shoulder of
an opposition player and was forced to leave the field with blood
coming from his lip. When play restarted Otis was able to mark at
half-forward and kick to the top of the goal square. In the resulting
scramble Noah emerged with the ball to score Fitzroy's second for
the day. There was a rushed point to Fitzroy following a kick towards
goal from Kieran, and then Emile grabbed the ball from a ruck contest
to snap Fitzroy's second for the quarter. SP would not give up however
and in the remaining few minutes kicked three of their own, despite
some fine work from Max, James and others down back. A 27 point
deficit at final break.
The
three-quarter time break saw the coach plead with his players for
one last big-effort and the team responded admirably. Following
a quick goal to SP, Fitzroy were able to dominate the remainder
of the quarter. Frazer and Emile were doing a great job in the ruck
and Andrej was chipping in with useful possessions across the centre.
Oscar, Kieran and Floyd combined to move the ball into our goal
area where it was rushed through for a point. The resulting kick-in
was trapped in our forward line after some good work by Kieran and
Ben Mac and Riley was able to take possession in the goal square
and snap a great goal. Two further points to Fitzroy were followed
by a goal after Harry DT was able to intercept a kick-in and kick
truly for Fitzroy's fifth. SP scored a final goal right on the siren
to finish the match 24 point victors over a gallant Fitzroy.
Goals
– Ben Mac, Noah, Emile, Riley, Harry DT
Medal
for best Fitzroy player as selected by Surrey Park – Riley
Congratulations
to all the players, the coach, the manager and all the parents who
helped out on a great season.
Match
Report of Previous Round |
