Under 11 - 3
Match report
Fitzroy 3.8.26 defeated Ivanhoe 3.4.22
ADRENALINE PUMPING, HEART STOPPING ACTION…ALFRED CRESCENT SUNDAY AFTERNOONS. It was a match that had everything.
The day began with gale force winds and the prediction of a high scoring-end. Ivanhoe, looking tall and dangerous in their black strip, hit the field ready to play. Jaquan and Sebastian as captains lead the team on through a line of victorious Fitzroy U/10’s.
Fitzroy enjoyed the wind in the first quarter and some early clearances through the combination of Charlie and Atticus’ height and Fraser and Digby’s run. It wasn’t long before the Roys were on the board…but it was points not goals. Ivanhoe was resisting but a free kick to Alex 25 metres out looked hopeful. It was going to test his goal shooting skills. Aiming far right the ball curved back with wind and sliced the centre line of the big sticks.
But Ivanhoe hit back late in the term with a goal despite Adam and David’s strong backline work. The quarter ended with Fitzroy leading 9 point to 6.
The second quarter saw Ivanhoe use the wind. Lachlan, Max and Kent were working hard along the wings and at centre half back. But Ivanhoe crashed through for a goal. They were looking to split the game open. But with Martin at full back, Nic Basanisi and Fraser scouting the packs and Atticus and Elia marking the ball in the centre, Fitzroy stayed with them until the half time siren. Ivanhoe had nudged in front 2/3 -15 to 1/5 – 11.
Terry‘s half time talk was from the classics…run and carry, teamwork, focus, tackle hard and play in front. On to play the third quarter.
Will, Adam, Martin, Lewis and Jaquan took some tough hits while the Roys added some valuable points to get close on the scoreboard. Everyone around the ground was riding the bumps and feeling the pain. The runners were stretched with water duties. The tenor of the crowd was rising on both sides. Even the ump was getting a bit. The third quarter siren sounded.
Ivanhoe lead in to the final quarter 2/3-15 to 1/8-11 and had the wind at their backs. Terry played his secret weapons. He swung Nic Nassios to full forward, Aleks to the centre, Elia onto the ball and told everyone to put in for the last 15 minutes.
The quarter started with catastrophe. Ivanhoe were out of the centre and through the goals like a flash. It looked bleak…Ivanhoe were 9 points up and with the wind. They were feeling safe; even smug. But no one could foresee the depth of Fitzroy’s spirit.
With bitter strength and run the ball was worked to the Roy’s forward line. Max was suddenly open and pulled in a mark 20 metres out and on an angle. Could he kick it? His coach was trying not to think like a father…the rest of the parents were hyper tense. The kick flew high. It wobbled in the gale passing within millimetres of the post and Ivanhoe’s outstretched fingers. A goal for the Roys. Now just one more.
From the centre Digby to Atticus, Atticus to Fraser, Fraser to Nic Basanisi…RUN BOY RUN….with a big roost he finds Nic Nassios…KICK BOY KICK.
The ball bounces and spins through the goal square like a Shane Warne leggy. It’s through. Mark Colbert (aka mister goal umpire) raises both fingers. We’re in front…you bloody bewdy. Now its hang on and wait. Minutes take hours. Ivanhoe is pressing…tackle, tackle, tackle. Finally, across the ground, the siren. The Roys are home 3/8-26 to 3/4- 22.
Songs of joy, screams of delight, parents reach for hip flasks…and guess what…we all get to do it again next week.
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