Under 15 Section 1
Match Report - Week 16Sunday August 6vs Bundoora Telfer ReserveMissing some key position players for our last game of the 2006 season, it was always going to be a real test of our team's character and ability, especially away to Bundoora! But I knew that if the team played with the same intensity and determination for the whole game that they had shown over the past few months, a win was a distinct possibility. Kicking into a slight breeze in the first quarter, our start to the game was not as positive as one would have liked. We seemed to be second to numerous contests and didn't seem to have the same run in our legs the opposition seemed to have. Only poor goal kicking by Bundoora kept us in the game, and even though we were only down by 2 goals at the break, we were playing with a real lack of zip and attack. Luckily were not made to pay for it. In the second quarter, even though kicking with the breeze, we still did not seem to be winning crucial clearances to set up any consistent forward attacks. Our half forward line also seemed to be letting the ball out of attack too easily and Bundoora, despite kicking to the non-scoring end, went into their forward line with much more purpose and consistency, thanks to their midfield which continued to run harder and deeper into attack. The inside 50s for the first half were 19/11 Bundoora's way and clearances from stoppages were 7/5 also their way. But we were still in the game and only trailed by 2 goals at the main break, and I felt that with a lift right across the team in general attack and determination, we could still win it. A few positional changes at half time saw us go into the second half with a slightly different forward line. That, along with an overall lift in hardness, paid dividends almost immediately. Clearances for the quarter were 6/5 FJFC's way and inside 50's were 9/5 - also our way - illustrating a lift across half back and the centreline that enabled us to drive the ball into attack. A lift in our pressure at the ball barrier illustrated by some hard tackling and smothers saw us only 9 points down at the last break but with a real spring in our step and attack, and a great deal of confidence and self belief, which to me suggested that a win was now quite possible. I simply asked the team for 20 minutes of the most intense and determined football they had played all year. I wanted them to walk off the ground with heads held high and able to look each other in the eye and know that they had given everything possible in the body. The last quarter was like last week - simply a truly great contest by both sides. Our fitness I knew was sound and I urged players to get the ball moving to some of our stronger marking forwards. The game seemed to be goal for goal, however we managed to get to a position with about 2 minutes to go where we were only 3 points down and the ball appeared to be permanently parked in our forward line. A couple of strong marks from hurried attacks gave us a number of set shot from about 40 metres out, but unfortunately the kicks dropped short or were rushed through. In the last minute a FJFC free kick on the boundary line was given and with only a matter of seconds to go and facing a 2 point deficit, a win seemed possible. The kick looked excellent off the boot and seemed to be traveling through, however a gust of win sprung up and caused the ball to drift towards the post. A one point lead was held by the opposition and as the ball was returned into play the siren rang, preventing us from snatching a great victory. I knew the team had given everything in their last game of the season and I could not have asked for any more from them. I was extremely proud of their efforts and could not find fault with their game after half time. The inside 50s in the last quarter were 6/4 our way with clearances 4 all. Unfortunately the gods who had smiled on us last week to give us a 2 point victory, did not do the same this week and the narrowest of losses was to be the final result. I guess with any narrow loss a number of what ifs run through your mind, but today that didn't bother me. The boys responded after being challenged not only with an undermanned line up but also in the game, and as far as I was concerned, they were all winners. \Thanks for the game and the season - SANDRO. Final Scores Bundoora 9.8.62 defeated FJFC 9.7.61 |
Special thanks to...Sandro, Anderson, Ray, Luke - our fabulous coaching and management team. Thanks also to the parents, friends and siblings who ran boundaries, drinks and collections, kept time, stats, records and scorecards, waved the flags and waved their arms, took photos and generally took care - in a collective effort to give our boys a fabulous season, full of fun, endeavour, success and in the end, an indomitable team spirit.
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