Under 11-1 - Match Report

Round 7 - Fitzroy Vs Banyule

Fitzroy              1.1       3.2       4.4       6.8       44

Banyule            2.3       3.4       5.5       6.6       42

A fine Sunday afternoon at Alfred Crescent as the giant killing U11 Browns encountered the top four side Banyule.

Banyule kicked with the wind in the first quarter. An early entry into the forward line by Fitzroy resulted in a great goal to Leon. Chas was consistently winning the hitouts but Banyule were winning the clearances. As a result the ball spent most of the time in the Banyule forward line with the Fitzroy defense under siege. The back six did a great job to consistently repel the attacks but were unable to advance the ball beyond centre before it was swept back into the danger zone. Two late goals to Banyule including one on the siren gave them the lead at quarter time.

For the second quarter coach Michael threw Eddie into the ruck. An early entry by Banyule resulted in a goal. However after that it was Fitroy’s turn to enjoy the territorial advantage. A free kick to Otis resulted in a goal. A pass from Sapphire produced a great mark from Ben. Eventually from a throw in Eddie won the ball but his shot hit the post. Another forward move resulted in a free kick to Eddie which he converted. In this quarter it was a case of “Eddie everywhere”, he was winning the ruck and then following the ball down into the forward line. At the main break Banyule held a narrow 2 point advantage.

Chas was back in the ruck in the third quarter, which was played at a much greater intensity by both sides. Two early advances by Fitroy resulted in behinds to Robbie and Sapphire. A breakdown in defense from a failure to man up gave Banyule an easy goal. This was countered by a beautiful succession of passes from Iraklis to Isaac to Noah and then to Robbie that resulted in a goal. However another lapse in defense handed Banyule a 50m penalty and goal from point blank range. Somehow Banyule were 7 points up!

At three quarter time the coach was frank with the boys. It had not been a good quarter, but with the breeze favouring them they had the chance to make amends.

In an inspired move Declan was thrown into the ruck, with support from Andre and Aiden. Declan responded to the challenge by winning the ruck in the centre and all over the ground. Two early behinds to Fitzroy made the difference less than a kick. Then a move that started with Isaac at half back, on to Andre, and then to Noah for a goal gave Fitzroy the lead. This was followed by two additional behinds. With the ball constantly in our half, now it was the turn of the Banyule defense to feel the heat. The result was sealed by a goal to Dan, on the end of passes from Eddie and George. A late goal to Banyule, that clawed the margin back to two points, ensured a tense wait until the siren finally sounded. Lucien, who had risen from his sick bed to play the game, was chaired from the ground.

In the end there was very little separating the two sides: each kicked two goals in quarters with the wind, and one against. After this narrow escape the boys might be grateful that, through the vagaries of the fixtures, Fitzroy are not drawn to play Banyule again in the home and away season.

“Chicken Smallhorn”