Under 13 - 2 Match Report
FJFC U-13 Blue 2 7.6 (48) d St Damian’s 3.4 (22) at Binnak Park, June 14, 2009
Fresh from the long weekend break, the Roys made the mistake of thinking they were not only well-rested but primed for a walk in the (Binnak) Park against a winless opponent. Taking things easy in footy is like not doing your homework – it might be all right for a while, but you get found out in the end.
St Damians had not won a game during the season but they were at home, the weather was mild and the ground was hard. Not only that, but they had a fleet of runners, who cut through the Roys in the midfield, pumping the ball forward, and haring after it, with the kind of desperation that the Roys just couldn’t manage in the first quarter.
Sure, there were a few good efforts from the Roy boys, especially from the smaller players, such as Jesse and Kieran (who, on the day took two strong marks under pressure), but the taller players were well and truly in Richard’s sights at quarter time when he gave the boys a real Sunday roast. It was only a point the difference, two lonely behinds to Fitzroy and one to the Saints, but the writing on the wall was looking a little ugly.
A few well-chosen words delivered with a bit of passion can make a difference and sure enough the boys responded to Richard with a far better second quarter. Connor B converted from a tight angle in the forward pocket and then Ala roved the pack to get one from the goal square. St Damians quickly replied but Connor kicked two more, one from a strong mark and then from a goal square scrimmage. But it was not only the attack that was holding up – Hugh at centre half-back and Patrick at full-back kept things tidy down there, while the bigger guys, Josh and Ned, lifted their performance around the ground.
The third quarter became a bit of an arm-wrestle as the Saints raised their workrate and kicked an early goal. Connor replied and Max H showed great desperation to ensure that the Roys turned for home with a 20-point lead.
Give the space to run, Digby started to find the ball and delivered a zinging pass to Max O, who took a powerful mark at full speed. Back it went to Diggers who sent it forward to where Atticus, back in the Roys’ colours for the first time this season, made a strong contest. He was able to off-load to Connor, who then passed to Ahmed for the Roys’ sixth. When Atticus steered through a goal from hard against the boundary line, it was enough to get the Roys over the line. St Damians pulled a goal back before the siren, but the Roys had managed to win by 26 points.
ENDS
