Match report 2/8/09
Fitzroy vs. Surrey Park

Early in the first quarter, Harry D-T got boot to ball and dribbled it through the big sticks for an impressive start. He was then able to get on the end of a couple of pinpoint passes from Daniel and Ben C and kick two more goals. This quarter was a great display of teamwork by Fitzroy and accurate kicking at goal by Harry D-T. Good running through the mid-field and along the wing by Ben C, Daniel and Harrison, supported by strong work in the ruck by Frazer K which provided plenty of scoring opportunities for the Fitzroy forward line. A tenacious back line complemented the great work up forward. Oskar and Thomas worked hard to move the ball out of defence and Anthony provided good protection for his team mates. A good start gave Fitzroy the lead at quarter time, 3.0 (18) to 1.0 (7).

Fitzroy struggled to get the ball into its forward 50 early in the second quarter. Lewis was very busy along the outer wing while the back line persevered to limit scoring opportunities for Surrey Park. Eventually Charlie found space through the centre of the ground. He got the ball to Harrison who kicked cleverly off the ground, resulting in a spectacular goal that spurred the team on. Strong efforts in the mid field by Rory, Riley and Frazer K helped the ball to Daniel who kicked his first goal of the day. Then late in the quarter, Rory showed noble team spirit and hand passed to Fraser W in perfect position. He added another goal to the score so by half time, Fitzroy held a comfortable lead, 6.1 (37) to 1.1 (7).

Harry D-T kept scoring with another goal early in the third quarter after some tough work in the goal square by Sam and Adam. Later, he took a free kick and passed to Daniel who snuck another goal. Good pressure across half back and full back by Oskar and Floyd allowed Charlie to grab the ball, sprint through the mid field and kick a beautiful long goal. Finn and Riley kept pressure on Surrey Park across the centre and Harry P showed some great skills at full back late in the quarter, marking strongly then intercepting a hand pass to prevent any score against Fitzroy. Three quarter time saw Fitzroy looking unbeatable, 9.4 (58) to 1.1 (7).

The final quarter began with a quick goal by James Thompson. Hard work across the ground by David, Ben Mc and Ben C resulted in two more goals to Daniel then late in the game Fraser W marked strongly and kicked a last goal for Fitzroy. Even though they struggled for most of the game, the Surrey Park players were gallant and never stopped trying. As a spectator, it was a relief to see some reward for effort when Surrey Park added a goal to their score before the siren. Final scores were 13.7 (85) to 2.2 (14), a good win by Fitzroy. Congratulations to the Fitzroy boys for a solid performance and great team work.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery by the Surrey Park player who unfortunately injured his shoulder late in the game.

 

 

Match report 26/7/09
Fitzroy vs. Ashburton

Fitzroy made a promising start with an early goal by Charlie. Kicking with the breeze, some hard work in the centre of the ground by Lewis and Harrison provided opportunities for Fitzroy to keep scoring but Ashburton was strong in defence and allowed only one behind to be added to Fitzroy's score for the rest of the quarter. Fitzroy was gallant though, with attacking play by Frazer K in the ruck and Daniel and Fraser W in the midfield and our strong back line gave away only a few scoring opportunities. At quarter time Ashburton was leading narrowly, 2.3 (17) to 1.1 (7).
During the second quarter Fitzroy played aggressive football. Frazer K, Charlie, Harry D-T and Oskar desperately moved the ball forward and Rory marked well overhead and kicked long to the forward line but it was difficult to get points on the board. Ashburton grabbed every opportunity to get the ball quickly out of their defence, with assistance from the breeze. The Fitzroy back line was unrelenting, with excellent pressure from Harry P, Oskar and Riley who made a great smother in the opposition goal square. Ashburton was able to add only a couple of goals and at half time with scores 4.5 (29) to 1.2 (8), Fitzroy was still a chance.

The third quarter proved frustrating for Fitzroy. Ashburton's run-on style and superior ball handling skills made it impossible for Fitzroy to score. Despite some excellent defence by Riley, valiant efforts by some smaller players and strong marking by Thomas and Rory, the ball refused to bounce Fitzroy's way. Ashburton dominated the play and built a formidable score, leading 8.8 (56) to 1.2 (8) at three quarter time.

Fitzroy rallied for the final quarter and were persistent and courageous. Lewis, Harry D-T, David and Fraser W tackled and ran hard. Ashburton posted only two goals with the help of the breeze and final scores were 10.10 (70) to 1.3 (9). On the day, Fitzroy was outclassed by a hard running team that maximised its home ground advantage.
Congratulations to Riley winning best opposition player for the second time. We hope he enjoyed his free hot dog and drink – very well deserved.

Rd 12 Match Report
Kew 8.14 (62) d Fitzroy 8.2 (50).


If there were prizes for gallant defeats then the boys from Fitzroy would surely have earned their share on Sunday.

A cursory look at the scoreboard shows Kew - the top side in the competition - as 12-point winners, the side's 12th success in as many matches this season.

But that is simply the raw stat. There was much more to this game than that.

Kew was expected to dominate - but what they got was what their coach later said was the side's toughest match of the season.

The boys showed plenty of fight and intensity from the start in pushing their rivals all the way in their best display of the year.

Kew opened the scoring with the game's first goal, but the boys capitalised on some great defensive pressure and commitment across the ground to boot three goals to one - through Adam, Harrison and Sam -- for a 14-point lead at quarter-time.

Ben C. then booted the first of his three goals for the match soon after the start of the second term and the advantage was out to 20 points.

Although Kew fought back to take a 30-points to 26 lead, the boys maintained their intensity, kept up the pressure and reaped the rewards for a one-point advantage at half- time. While Kew was missing the target, the boys made the most of their entries into their forward 50.

The second half also started promisingly when Tom took a great mark off a thumping kick from Charlie and added Fitzroy's sixth goal. Sam followed up with his second soon after and the lead was out to 44-31.

While the boys maintained the pressure, Kew's free-flowing game at times proved hard to contain. The visitors eventually took a two-point lead into the final term.

That was soon extended to nine points but far from being outdone, Fitzroy responded. A neat cross from Daniel found Ben C. in the goal square doing what he had been doing for much of the match, waiting for his opportunities, and the margin was back to three points.

But a goal and three points to Kew sealed the final result.

While the goal-scorers had their moments in the spotlight, the boys' display was built on a strong performance by the whole team.

It was, as the coach said afterwards, their best game of the season and one of which they can be very proud.

Now, if they can maintain that level and also come away with the points .

 

MATCH REPORT ROUND 11


Fitzroy v Glen Iris

The 1 st Quarter had the boys kicking into the wind with most of the play in our defensive half, Glen Iris kicking to a four goal lead.
Daniel was able to put the boys on the board with a good mark and goal later in the term.

The 2 nd Quarter saw the boys use the conditions well, even though at times the ball was being delivered over the forwards heads.
Adam was able to score with a good ?hardball get? and snap at goal. Additional goals to Harrison and Sam levelling the scores at half time.

The boys were hard at the ball in the 3 rd Quarter restricting the opposition to only 2 goals.

The last Quarter saw the opposition dominate against the breeze with hard and desperate play, at times with six loose men across our forward line leaving our boys standing still.

Final scores: Fitzroy 5.4 (34) to Glen Iris 8.4 (52)

 

 

MATCH REPORT  ROUND 10

Fitzroy 9.2.56 def. Canterbury 5.2.32

One of several must win games on the back half of the season, the Roy Boys ultimately did what was necessary, registering a comfortable win.

There was not too much positive to report in the first term, with Fitzroy having trouble handling the slippery ball. Canterbury shot to a 3 goal lead while our team slumbered.

Inspired coaching, saw Lewis ‘Hard man' Pavlich moved to the centre where his straight-at-the ball approach affected several clearances. Returning from injury, Harrison ‘One punch' Leech used his footy nouse to quickly convert 2 majors and remind Fitzroy that they were here to win.

Adam and Daniel kicked goals as they often do, and were backed were up by a solid team effort.

With Rory always running tirelessly, Fras in and under, squirting out handballs, Oscar providing a strong-marking target and Aiden doing all the amazing things he does, we were back on top by the main break.

The third term was more of the same. Riley ‘Nostradamus' Terrens, always   knows where the ball is heading and Charlie ‘Faster than Usain Bolt' Cromb, regaining his finals form from last year, motored away from the pack to kick multiple goals. Tom and Finn were silky, David hard at it, and Frazer Kinens got his long arms in more contests than Dustin Fletcher.

The news was not all good:

Sam was under a pack with his leg going in the opposite direction to his knee and may miss a week with a strained medial.

Fitzroy drifted back to sleep for the final term.

Ashburton and Glen Iris, who both have an easier run home than Fitzroy, managed to share the points, making our quest for a finals berth even harder.

 

 

 

 

 

MATCH REPORT ROUND 9


Rd 9 Match Report
Fitzroy 8.4 (88) d Kew Rovers 0.5 (5). A good percentage booster. Just what the doctor -- or in this case the coach -- ordered. Piling on 14 goals to none, the Roys powered to a 14.4 (88) to 0.5 (5) win over Kew Rovers. It was the second biggest winning margin of the season for the boys and their fifth victory overall, coming against a side that had notched one less win going into the match. The goals were spread pretty uniformly throughout the match, with four in each of the second and fourth quarters and three in each of the others. Adam drew first blood and was followed shortly after by Daniel and Floyd to give the boys a 21-0 lead at the first break. There was little time wasted after the break, Daniel opening the scoring for the term with his second goal, and then laying on a nice pass for Sam, who capitalised on the chance. Then it was the turn of Ben Cap, who came up with a double, the second on the run after a move started by Fraser in the backs that sent the ball forward quickly. With the game all but won after the first half, the boys were urged not to take their feet off the peddle following the break. With the defence keeping Kew at bay - with Harry P. playing a starring role - Daniel and Ben Cap added the 8th and 9th goals - the latter after a sweet pass from Charlie - and then James came up with possibly the goal of match when he gathered with his back to goal, swivelled and kicked true. Adam and Charlie each goaled twice in the last term, Charlie's second goal coming from a neat left-foot snap, as the boys worked to keep Kew goalless for the match. That seemed likely to be in vain, when Kew marked close in to the left of the goalposts inside the last minute. But the kick was smothered and it was mission complete. But, as always, the goals can't come without strong play across the field, with all the boys deserving praise, led by Aidan L., Fraser W., Rory, Riley and Harry P.

 

MATCH REPORT  ROUND 8

 

Rd 8 Match Report
Fitzroy 7.6 (48) d Ivanhoe 1.2 (8).


Built on a solid first-half performance, the Fitzroy boys posted their fourth win of the season.

As usual, the match began a little slowly but the boys were soon able to raise the tempo from the middle of the opening quarter. Hitting their teammates with some crisp passing and deft handballing, they quickly opened up a three-goal advantage.

Ben Mac, like many has been struggling with illness in recent weeks, but it didn't stop him notching the opening goal after a scramble in the goal-square.

Further goals to Adam C. (two) and Ben Cap followed, Adam capitalising on some nice passes and Ben scoring with his non-preferred left foot.

Aidan L. Riley, Fraser W, Rory, and Lewis were among a host of boys who provided spark across the ground.
At the first break they led 4.3 (27) to no score.

Two more goals in the second term - to Ben Mac and Adam, from about 40 metres out in the last minute of the term - put them firmly in control at 41 points to one.

However, things slowed a little after the main break. While Ivanhoe stacked the backline to stem the flow of points, errors began to creep in for the Roys and opportunities to score in the goal-square went begging. Ben Cap was able to slot another, however, to take the margin to 46 points.

Ivanhoe's first goal came midway through the last quarter, while the boys wasted several chances to add to their goal tally. But, in the end, it was a convincing 40-point win.

Next up is Kew Rovers, with the boys hopefully able to use the lessons learned to improve even further.