Hi footyfans,

you know what they say......... a weeks a long time in footy!                                                                                    

How good were we yesterday, funny even before the game you could tell the

boys were more switched on and ready to go. I think its that teenage thingy

where they don't actually wake up until middayish. Anyway they were

certainly awake for this game, we had a great start and never really looked

back.

Big David Herbert got us off to a flyer in the ruck with an exceptional Jeff

White (at his best) like first quarter effort, which gave Dylan, Mike and

Indri the chance to get hold of the ball and drive it forward. And what a

day the forwards had, Deano Dacos who reads the ball so well managed to bag

4 to half time. Nathan F was marking everything, (probably his best game

ever, the teams big improver) the first 2 shots missing but the 3rd was very

Lucas like as the big lefty slotted it though from 40.

The boys in the backline didn't have a lot of work to do early.......I

remember looking across at Cossie standing all by himself at CHB and

thinking he will be getting cold. But all of a sudden they were in the

action, big Louie, Cossie and Jack working together and saving a certain

goal.

Funny at half time I had a number of requests for a quarter in the forward

line.....can't understand why?? I know, we all know its fun to kick a goal,

but its every bit as important to save one, look at Nathan Ligris, one of if

not the best goal sneaks in the comp, but playing sensational off the half

back line. Remember it takes a team to win, everybody counts, I'll never

forget that Leo Barry mark, if you ask me he won Sydney the grand final. We

also need to get some specialist players in positions on a consistent basis.

When we are winning a game comfortably I'll move you all around so that                      

everybody gets a chance forward and back(let me know if you want a crack in

the guts), don't be afraid to ask, its all about fun at the end of the day.

Some other good efforts on the day came from Michael a great tackle early, a

strong mark and goal late, also Darcy with a top tackle in the last quarter.

The great thing about this game is even though we were comfortably in front

all day, we didn't stop.......I don't think we lost a quarter. The boys ran

the game out which is exactly what we want and need to do.

I think overall this was probably the best game we have played to date, not

because we won but because of the way we went about it. When you see the

boys follow up time and time again, just like Bobby did you know what you

have been telling them is starting to sink in. How many smothers, shepards

and tackles did we have, I bet it was more that any other game we have ever

played. We will keep working on this aspect of the game, what it actually   

does is turn 18 players into 20/22. You know what I mean.....when you see a

team dominating it looks like there are more of them. That's because they

are working harder, following up, and   running to help each other.

Arrrrrrrrre its good to be the coach..........assistant coach (hey

Danny)..................especially when you win.........makes my week!

Please also remember training is at Alfred Cres from here on in 4.00 to 5.30

get there as early as you can, I know its difficult with school etc. By the

way we are 5th on the ladder, lets see if we can make the finals.

cheers Rod

PS: thanks to Ray Matters hes doing a great job as TM