Back out to Greensborough for another tussle with St Marys and this time coach Terry got the boys in to a huddle on the ground before the start rather than get them pumped in the rooms overlooking the oval.
But from the first bounce, St Marys were right in to it, with their ruckman, as long as a tall story, thumping the ball clear with every bounce. It took Terry no time at all to change tactics, and instruct Charlie to look like he was jumping and then stay on the ground to help grab the ball out of the centre. But even then, St Marys won the footy and after kicking their first before the goal umpire had sharpened his pencil, they added two more. Slowly the Roys brought themselves in to the game, through Jesse J and Jesse W showing courage around the ball. But it took the Howard boys - Sebastian, who passed to his brother Jaquan, who then converted - for the Roys to get their first. It was champagne football, but St Marys wanted to join in the celebration and jagged their fourth before the siren.
Terry tried to settle the team down and let them know that they were facing a simple problem. “Everybody’s watching their opponents,’’ he told them. “You’re making them look very, very good.’’
It was a forceful message and for the next three quarters the Roys worked hard for each other and made a solid fist of restricting St Mary’s run and their marking strength.
Lewis took a good mark to kick the Roys second and then Charlie snapped another, while Darcy’s closeness to the contest was rewarded with a couple of important smothers. Martin was in great form, showing again his dash and strength, which inspired his teammates. It was a 26-point deficit at the main break, and the signs from the Roys were promising.
But after a few years on the Yarra league circuit you know that St Marys is a proud club that just keeps trying and good as Fitzroy were, they couldn’t bridge the gap.
Sam was a general in defence and Elia did some outstanding work in close, with Nick B in support, but St Marys were piling on the pressure. Atticus used his body like a veteran to take some of the heat, and the quarter became a tense see-sawing affair that was only broken with a late St Marys’ goal.
The Roys began the last quarter with a flurry of attacks that resulted in several behind before James T marked and goaled. Down back, Nick N, who had been a pillar of strength all day, took a relieving mark and James A attacked the ball with purpose. There were hopes of a late revival when James T kicked his second, but St Marys added two more in quick time to ensure they were not in danger.
ENDS
