Fitzroy – Under 12 Gold

 

Match Report – Second Semi-Final – 17 th August 2008

 

St.Marys – Greythorn Park

 

A fine day at the small and soggy Greythorn Park for what was the first final for more than half of our team. We started shakily with St.Marys dominating the clearances and keeping the ball in their forward line for long periods. Charlie, Harry P and Scobie all battled hard but we couldn't clear the ball away and were probably lucky that St.Marys missed a few gettable shots. As always Ben Mc worked hard at Centre half forward and he was able to get one goal back against the run of play.

With a plea to attack the ball strongly and grab it with both hands we found ourselves working back into the contest. Lewis threw himself into every pack and with Lachy, Adam, David and Digby all lifting their work rates we started to look dangerous. Some nice running team play involving Ben C and Daniel saw Riley slot a lovely goal on his left foot.

At half time the boys showed that they believed in their own ability to come back, as we have done often during the season. Fraser W and Harry DT came into the game as Harry P continued his great work down the back, with excellent support from David. Lachy and Daniel kept the ball moving forwards and Floyd made good position to receive a great centring pass from Harrison. The resulting goal gave us a real sniff of victory.

The last quarter began with our boys dominating all over the ground, with Harrison inspirational when moved to centre half back and Charlie doing some great work in the middle. Oskar, Aidan and Lewis all ran themselves ragged and Ben Mc kept presenting up forward. With ten minutes to go a lovely goal from Aidan followed by a series of behinds saw us pull to within four points. Unfortunately we couldn't quite find the crucial goal which would surely have given us the inspiration to hang on. St.Marys continued to apply significant pressure all over the ground and broke through with a goal against the run of play which stopped our boys in their tracks. A couple of junk time goals when our boys stopped working hard both ways saw the margin blow out.

Our boys showed with their terrific team spirit that our running game can overpower anyone and I'm sure if we get the opportunity again we will be able to turn the result around.

 

Thanks to all our parent helpers: Anne C., Bob P., Iain McK., Dean C., Michael C., Andy L., Jenny T. (& Owie), Chris and Sally G.

 

Fitzroy       1.0-6     2.2-14     3.2-20      4.6-30   

St Mary's     2.7-19     3.8-26     4.10-34       7.10-52