MATCH REPORT

: Match Report Round 3 Fitzroy v. Kew Rovers


After a promising warm-up on a day on which the weather was better than expected Fitzroy too began expecting to do well. Early centre clearances slightly favoured the opposition but several towering marks at centre half back by Hods and another powerful tackle by Dylan kept them at bay. We weren't getting our play-on game going to the extent that we need to from these and other marks and frees but we will.

At times we kicked the ball a bit too predictably to packs and by not linking up with a quick handball when we did have "control" we gave Kew Rovers those vital extra seconds to man up and, in some cases, double team our key forwards. This made life difficult for Nathan at full forward in particular who was not given the chance to repeat his first quarter leading of last week. It also restricted our obvious ability to kick the ball penetratingly over the pack while it is still forming.Promisingly, we did kick a couple of very good 6-pointers and with only a goal or two in it, the game was very much in the balance.

As usual, Lewie and the other on-ballers were giving their all, all over the ground but their main ruckman was harder to counteract and run off in the second quarter. Four goals by Kew Rovers and one on our behalf belied the fact that we were working the ball forwards well on several occasions usually with a chain of quick handballs not that we didn't come unstuck at times. Our kicking near goal did too but persistence and practice will ultimately pay off for us in this regard. It always does, especially in sport.

After a quiet start, Batey had burst through a pack early in the game and suddenly seemed intent on playing the game of his life and as if he were the biggest and toughest player on the field. Inds was working overtime and often in the right place at the right time as well as usually disposing of the ball to a team-mate. JJ was full of energy at centre half forward and finally converted with a great goal from the boundary. A couple of times there were easy turnovers when we were not under pressure at moments when we could have streamed away through the centre and set up easy goals. Instead, the opposition must have felt a bit lucky and they quickly rebounded the ball and made us pay. A goal or 2 deficit had stretched to 3 or 4 and the Rovers went in with a "bit of a sniff ."

We all know that 4 goals does not mean much in modern footy but 2 early goals by our opponents as the crucial third quarter began made life difficult. A strong mark by Luke in the forward line led to a kick which we knew would make the distance but it drifted off to the right.

Our manning up when they had the ball needs improving so that it is of a standard similar to previous under 14 Fitzroy teams. We also need to be more determined to get in and under the packs more ruthlessly and fly across to our lion team-mates when they need support. Certainly Joseph on the half back flank was not alone in leading courageously by example in this aspect of our game but as the season unfolds desperation must become the instinctive and characteristic intent of every team-mate anywhere near the ball.

If the opposition give you lip even when they're ahead it usually means they're worried about you and it deserves an extra-hard bonecrushing tackle at the next contest whether they give up or try it again. Ideally, if a team-mate's around, make it a gang- tackle.

We are still the new kids on the block and despite not playing our best yet, the other sides are wary of us.

In the last 20 minutes, we played some of our best footy for the day. With Dylan marking strongly at centre half-back we were also winning the ball out of the centre more often. With the hardworking Jake deserving a brief run in the forward line, Joey came into his own in the back pocket repelling the opposition with a couple of clever and very quickly thought-out instinctive movements always showing great awareness of where his team-mates around him were. Nat continued to play well in the other back pocket as the de facto full back. His close checking is worth copying boys and against a pretty good opponent he limited his opportunities after being sent down there after half-time. His K/O's were sure and he was smart enough to wait for the best options to present themselves. Pat came to life in the forward line and showed his speed and flair on the left foot and Cal marked strongly and booted an outstanding goal showing how much more power he has already.

Ricky will be an exciting and punishing player when we teach him more about the basics of the game especially in terms of manning up and knowing when and where to run. The kicks are covering distance in the air Ricky but they need to be lower, longer and more penetrating.

Newcomer Roger performed his nullifying role well in a pressure cooker environment whilst Omar continues to improve and show obvious potential. What we need to watch is a tendency to centre the ball in the backline too early from a pack and bring the ball back into play when it is better to let it go out or go through for a behind unless scores are very close. Finally, Mike although not keen to man up, grew in stature, maturity and importance as the game proceeded.

This week it's Glen Iris at home at 1.00pm and we are good enough to play a lot better.

Thanks to all the parents for their assistance. Please keep it up!

Training is tonight (Tuesday) at 5.00pm and again on Friday. See you there.