| ROUND
ELEVEN - FITZROY v. PARK ORCHARDS
Sunday
22nd July (Domeney Reserve)
Fitzroy
were again under-manned going into this important match against
the ladder leaders, Park Orchards. Fortunately, we were able to
scrape by with the bare 18 players, but it was always going to be
tough with no interchange on such a heavy ground, deep in the hills.
The fact that 18 players got to the ground on time is truly a credit
to their parent's navigational skills, as this place would be impossible
to find without the aid of a trusty Melways.
Alex
M was today's skipper and he led out a side that looked keen to
do well.
Fitzroy
did start well and we managed to score the first two goals of the
match, before Park Orchards steadied to kick the next three. Harry
kicked a fine goal to open our scoring and then Chris raced in and
scored a skilful goal, after a great piece of play from Sam H.
The
second quarter was similar to the first in that Park Orchards kicked
another three goals to Fitzroy's two. Harry was again in great form
and managed both goals - one on the end of a terrific piece of running
team play involving Alex M & Sam H and started from a strong
contested mark from Declan, deep in defence.
We
were 16 points down at Half Time and what was worse - someone (we're
tipping the kids from Doncaster Heights) had knocked off most of
our snakes. Fortunately, the sweet-toothed thieves left us the oranges
but the boys still had a sour taste in their mouths as Terry called
for an extra effort in the second half.
Park
Orchards poured on some powerful, running play in the third quarter,
scoring another three goals, while Christian scored from a nice
snap to help keep us in touch.
By
three quarter time, we trailed by 28 points and had more work to
do than Glenn Wheatley's Tax Consultant. The last quarter was another
tough affair. We failed to score a goal, but we restricted our opposition
to just one. Our tackling and desire for the ball meant that Park
Orchards had to work hard for their win. They ended up winning by
35 points, but Fitzroy made sure they had to play at their very
best.
It
was great to see Jonathan make so much improvement and play such
an important role today. Our other big men, Alex M & Jesse were
very effective also. Hamish & Zeb were hard at the ball all
day, as were Sam W & Raphael deep in the packs.
A
respectable effort against the top team, but we will have to continue
to work as hard as we did today in order to stay in the race for
the finals.
Scores:
Fitzroy
5.6.36
Park
Orchards 10.11.71
Goals:
Harry
Borland 3, Chris Stuart 1, Christian Sullivan-McNeill 1.
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