| Coach: George Hazim Manager: Lisa O’Neill Training: Fixtures are available at the YJFL This week Enjoy the week off!
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New photos available at Picasa Match Reports Second Semi Final Boroondara Hawks vs Fitzroy Colts Templestowe Reserve Fitzroy had injuries to key players, and the wet, heavy conditions were not conducive to our fast running game, but our opponents were simply a better side on the day, in every aspect of the game. They ran in numbers, they ran hard from the backline, their centreline was dominant and they had key, powerful players up forward. Alex Maloney and Jack Ford ran hard all day, Bryce Mc Adam put in a sterling performance against a rampaging number 13, Alex Hasiotis struggled manfully at halfback and Dylan Vella-Horne in his 100th game maintained focus. Jack Rundle tried hard as did David Herbert Jack Iacono and Filippo Palermo. Nathan Fillieri who was under siege at fullback for the entire match was injured late in the game and Nathan Ligris and Jack Kyroussis both scored possible broken noses, which basically was the story of the day. Next week is chance to rebuild some pride when we play Warrandyte in the Prelim. Round 16 Fitzroy Colts 1 vs Beverly Hills Bulleen Park And so the home and away season ended as it began, football played under blue skies against a worthy opponent that ultimately Fitzroy was able to defeat. Sunday was a crucial match in the boys' season; it was an opportunity to secure second place and the double chance in the finals. Much talk in the lead up to the game was about injuries. Alex Hasiotis' shoulder was still sore, Dylan Vella- Horne had strained a calf, Roger Paul was out with an ankle, Nick Gibbons was still a long way off playing, would we have a side? Well we did and it came out firing in the first quarter, kicking against a strong breeze. The boys held the ball in their half for most of the quarter, but an old problem, inaccuracy in front of goal meant the score board did not reflect their dominance of play. We went into quarter time down, 2.4.16 to Beverly Hills 3.1.19. The second quarter opened with a bang. Eddie Gibbons ran hot around the ground and picked up numerous possessions, Fillipo Palermo and the rest of the on ballers were holding their own against taller opponents and Luke Scott and Nick Mc Mahon were proving dangerous up forward. The half backline provided good rebound and the full back line was solid, as a result Fitzroy managed to keep their opposition goaless in the second and went into half time 15 points up, 5.5.35 to 3.2.30 The second half would prove decisive, not only for this game but possibly for the remainder of the season. Goal umpiring is a hot topic in footy at the moment with three clangers made by AFL officials on the weekend. We had our own controversy on Sunday when a snap from a Beverly Hills forward appeared to sail through the minor opening but was awarded a goal by the association supplied umpire. Ah well maybe we need electronic aides for goal umpires in the minor leagues as well! But this error would prove to be a minor glitch in the over-all scheme of things. Fitzroy's centre line was getting on top with Nathan Walsh providing fantastic pace off the wing and Alex Maloney, Jack Iacono and Dylan O'Neill demonstrated great leadership around the ground. Fitzroy led their opponents 8.5.53 to Beverly Hills 6.3.39 at three quarter time Kicking with the aid of the breeze Fitzroy opened the quarter on fire with goals to Dean Macriyiannis, Luke Scott and an absolute blinder by Nick McMahon that put the game out of Beverly Hills reach. Injured players were rested and the game appeared to be running out to a tame conclusion; but a late injury to Dylan O'Neill put a dampener on an otherwise commanding performance by the Fitzroy Colts. Final scores Fitzroy 12.6.78 to Beverly Hills 9.4.58. And so we move to the second semi against Boroondara Hawks in what may prove to be the game of the year so far. Round 12 Fitzroy Colts 1 vs Warrandyte 1 Peterson Oval Sunday 11 July. Confusion rained on Sunday even though the weather was fine. Just which Warrandyte were we playing, Warrandyte 1 who sat 5th on the ladder or was it Warrandyte 2 who were second? One would assume that the Warrandyte 1 team would be a stronger combination than the Warrandyte 2 side, but clearly they do things differently in the bush. Round 11 Boroondara Hawks V Fitzroy Colts 1 @ Balwyn Park July 27. In what felt like ground hog day, we again travelled out to Balwyn Park and for the third time this season played Boroondara Hawks in a top of the table clash. The two teams have been evenly matched so far this year and this game promised to be another close and fascinating contest in the mud. George before the game warned his players that they had to be switched on from the first bounce and they couldn’t have the luxury of their notoriously slow starts. Unfortunately the pattern for earlier games this season was repeated and the Hawks took the early initiative banging on three unanswered goals. The opposition ran hard out of defence and across the centre ensuring they always had numbers at the ball which put Fitzroy’s defence under enormous pressure. Dean Macriyiannis managed to pull one goal back from a free but the boys went into quarter time down Hawks 4.2 to Fitzroy 1.3. In the second term Fitzroy steadied due to some great work by the ever reliable Eddie Gibbons and Alex Hasiotis. Luke Scott was lively, in a welcome return to the team and Nathan Walsh ran hard. Jack Iacono was terrific holding the dangerous number 29 very quite and Alex Maloney continued to work hard. But inaccuracy in front of goal was proving to be very costly yet again and given Fitzroy’s dominance in this quarter, the boys should have been a lot closer if not in front as they went into the major break, Hawks 5.3 to Fitzroy 3.10. The third quarter was a dower struggle, with the Hawks maintaining good structure in defence which provided a lot of opportunities to their very dangerous players up forward. The Hawks are a powerful side, good in the air and with some big strong bodies across every line. Consequently their superior strength was taking its toll, with Fitzroy’s fast moving style of play becoming bogged on the heavy oval. At three quarter time Fitzroy was facing a mighty challenge to score a come from behind win, Hawks 7.6 Fitzroy 4.11. Fitzroy opened the last quarter with all guns blazing, with Dylan O’Neill, Eddie G, and others throwing everything at the contest. When Max Wilson kicked the first of the quarter, Fitzroy were definitely back and when Luke Scott and then Alex Maloney goaled, we dared to dream. But then the Hawks steadied and managed to kick three answering goals to put the game beyond Fitzroy’s reach…Boroondara Hawks 10.7.67 D Fitzroy 7.12.54. Fitzroy will hopefully meet the Hawks again in the finals so let’s hope we can even up the ledger at the business end of the season. Round 10 Doncaster V Fitzroy Colts 1 @ Templestowe Reserve July 21. Surrealism is a term usually associated with a 20th Century art movement and rarely used in a sporting context. However the match between Doncaster V Fitzroy Colts 1 on Sunday was nothing short of surreal. The top of the table Fitzroy played the bottom side Doncaster in what should have been a walk in the park for our boys; but when Dylan O’Neill arrived at the ground sporting an ankle that looked a little like a Salvador Dali painting, all blacks and blues and very fluid, we began to worry. Our worries turned to real concern when the Colts could field just 17 players, two of whom were bandaged like a couple of Christo wrappings( see Jean-Claude Christo - artist and not Ange Christou well known Carlton legend and Fitzroy Colts Assistant Coach). The game finally got underway, following a footy-less warm-up with Doncaster kicking the first goal of the day. They were dominating play and managed to keep the ball in their half of the ground for much of the quarter, due to some strong running by their midfield. But the back line, led by Alex Hasiotis stayed firm and when Nick McMahon and then Dean Macriyiannis kicked late, clever goals the boys managed to reshape the contest in our favour, holding a 2 point lead going into the break. George encouraged the boys to lift their intensity and raise the tackle count for the second stanza, which the boys managed to do. Despite Doncaster playing a loose man around the ball, Fitzroy got on top in the middle due to some great work by Jack Iacono in the ruck and Eddie Gibbons around the packs. With Dean Macriyiannis running riot up forward and Alex Maloney providing real drive around the ground Fitzroy banged on five goals to 1 for the quarter. But tempers were running hot with several Doncaster boys, especially Number 29, seeming to loose sight of the ball and focus instead on causing as much physical damage as possible to his opponents. Half time and George reiterated his quarter time call for fair and focussed attack on the ball and to be mindful of not dropping team intensity. However, as the second half got underway things got seriously weird. Bewildering free kicks and strange 15 meter penalties began to materialise, leaving Fitzroy players and spectators confused and troubled. Had someone slipped a hallucinogen into the umpire’s water bottles? Doncaster kicked a couple of goals, Dean pulled one back and then Doncaster banged through another… they were in with a sniff. But cometh the hour cometh the man and in the final quarter Dylan O’Neill, despite injury, asked to be moved onto the ball. He had an immediate impact. Time and time again he dove into packs and pumped the ball forward in what was an inspirational display of courage and determination. Then Jake Kyroussis, took some telling marks, Nathan Ligris lifted, Nathan Filleri steadied, and Ali Merhi ran hard at the ball. Bizarrely, officialdom continued to impose their rather distorted personalities on the game, resulting in mysterious free kicks and strange goals to the opposition. But the team held focus with Nathan Walsh providing run and the two Jacks, Ford and Rundle driving the ball forward. With Fillippo Palermo working his way into the game and Dylan Vella- Horne solid at half back Fitzroy were soaking up the pressure. Finally when Max Wilson (I think) kicked a late goal from yet another strong mark the boys were home and the danger of defeat finally averted. As I looked at my watch at the end of the game I was surprised to see that it was intact and had not melted, Dali like from my wrist…final scores Fitzroy 10.7.67 to Doncaster 7.12.54. Round 9 Fitzroy V Preston Bullants 2 @ Cramer St Oval The winter rains had come, thick and heavy for almost 24 hours, turning football ovals into skating rinks all over Melbourne. However at Preston, apart from a sticky centre wicket area, the ground was in pretty good nick. The Colts were coming off a loss and were determined to make up for a less than optimal display the previous week. But as showers scudded across the field, there was a question about the boys ability to play fast direct footy in such slippery conditions. That question was answered very early in the first quarter. The game started with Dylan O’Neill breaking through a banner to mark his 150 game for the Fitzroy Junior Footy Club- a fantastic milestone for a truly great servant of the club, as coach George Hazim aptly described the event. From the first bounce Fitzroy was “on.” Alex Maloney, Jack Rundle, Eddie Gibbons, Fillippo Palermo, not to mention the indefatigable Dylan O. all providing great drive and leadership around the ground. With Max Wilson, Nathan Walsh and Dean Macriyiannis as targets up forward it was no accident that Fitzroy started to bang on early goals. Did we mention Nick Mc Mahon? In a terrific first up performance Nick was proving very dangerous as a swooping forward pocket picking up many possessions and kicking a couple of clever goals. The backline as usual was solid, with Alex Hasiotis, Nathan Filleri proving to be impenetrable, as was Dave Herbert . Dylan Vella Horne, together with Nathan Ligris were providing lots of run off half back, William Keating was terrific off the wing, Jack Ford clever and Bryce Mc Adam was very dangerous. If I missed anyone, I’m very sorry because this was a whole of team dominant display. Unfortunately, except for one or two players, Preston struggled all over the ground against a very fast and confident opponent. At half time George told his players to work hard for each other, keep the forward line open and play out the remainder of the game as they had begun. And so they did. Goals were piled on, the backs deflected everything thrown at them, the centre line ran hard and the on-ballers were like a well oiled engine- just pumping that ball forward. Then at the 15 minute mark of the third quarter, the lights went out for Dylan Vella Horne. In a sickening, accidental clash of head against hip, Dylan was carried from the ground and into an ambulance and off to the Austin for observation. I therefore didn’t see the rest of the game but Fitzroy ran out easy winners…final scores Fitzroy 14.15.99 to Preston Bullants 2.0.12. I want to thank Lisa O’Neill and Angela Filleri for their kindness and concern towards Dylan and the Preston Football Club for their fantastic support. Dylan has a broken nose and a sore head following concussion but is otherwise ok. Thanks too to all of his team mates for their messages of concern and best wishes. Craig
Round 8 Fitzroy V Boroondara Hawks @Peterson Oval Heavy cloud and a strong south westerly wind provided challenging conditions for the return clash with the Boroondara Hawks on Sunday. When the game finally got underway some 20 minutes late due to a paucity of umpires in earlier games Fitzroy greeted its tall and fast running rival with a full bench but a depleted ruck division. Almost from the first bounce the boys were challenged by a sharp and focussed opponent. The Hawks mid-field delivered the ball with speed and precision to their strong marking forward line. Fitzroy managed to repel the initial forays but found it hard to penetrate their opponents rebounding wall and height advantage, so the ball remained in Boroondara’s half for much of the quarter. The game was scrappy with many mauling packs and Fitzroy found it difficult to develop their characteristic fast moving, breakaway game until, against the flow of play, Dean Macriyiannis swooped on a loose ball and kicked a clever goal. Hawks 3.1.19 to Fitzroy 1.2.8 at quarter time The opening few minutes of the second was a repeat of the first with Boroondara using the ball more effectively and hitting targets more often. But Fitzroy continued to work hard and slowly settled into their normal game with some fast running and more effective disposals. Good ball movement and speed from Dylan O’Neill and some great work from Dylan Vella-Horne supported well by Alex Hasiotis in defence resulted in some forward momentum and a couple of goals. But two late majors to the Hawks meant Fitzroy went into half time 11 points down. Hawks 5.3.33 Fitzroy 3.4.22 The third term opened with a goal to Vella-Horne and Nathan Walsh providing a lot of drive. But the footy remained close and tight with Fitzroy unable to convert opportunities. Again the Hawks managed to get a goal back and Fitzroy went into ¾ time still down by 7 points, but in with a real chance. Hawks 6.5.41 Fitzroy 4.10. 34 The final quarter started at 4.55 pm and was played under lights. Certainly Fitzroy was switched on but again couldn’t convert. The Hawks continued to move the ball quickly to their strong marking forward line but were also having trouble finding the major opening, kicking 1.5 for the quarter. But Fitzroy continued to work hard with great work from Bryce McAdam, Nathan Walsh, William Keating, Dylan O’Neill and Dave Herbert. A goal to Calum Ryan meant Fitzroy had kicked 1.2 for the quarter falling 10 points short at the final bell. Final scores Hawks 7.10-52 to Fitzroy 5.12-42
Round 7 Beverly Hills V Fitzroy We’re almost halfway through the season and inevitably injuries have become a factor in Fitzroy’s Colt’s fate for 2010- injuries, the great variable and leveller. We again drove out to Melbourne’s outer east to face Beverly Hills, a team we narrowly beat in the second game of the season. Sunday’s match was always going to be a test for our boys given we have played a succession of weaker sides since those opening rounds. But that test would prove to be a real examination of our commitment and will to win given our injury list at the start of the game. Needless to say we passed that exam with flying colours. Beverly Hills are a big side with some very very big boys up forward and in the ruck. Fitzroy looked small and light in comparison, so had to rely on pace and good use of the ball to overcome their opponents. The opening few minutes of the first quarter looked very promising with Fitzroy constantly in attack leading to a couple of points followed by a great goal by Nathan Ligris. But Beverly Hills’ bigger men were having an impact especially No 25 their ruckman and 37 the full forward. Consequently Fitzroy went to the first change down by four points. George told his players to meet the ball at pace, lift heads out of the backline and find targets up forward. But the height of Beverly Hills was proving decisive and Fitzroy, despite some good passages of play, was finding it difficult to penetrate the oppositions’ backline. Liga however got clear to kick a clever goal and almost had another, in an even second term. However Beverly Hills gradually got on top and managed to bang on a couple of goals and went into half time ten points up. This was indeed proving to be a tough day at the office. The third quarter got underway and Fitzroy put on two quick goals through Dylan O’Neil and Alex Maloney, which resulted in the boys getting back in the game. From this point the intensity of the contest seemed to go up a notch and the ball moved from one end of the ground to the other with reckless speed. When Jack Iacono went down midway through the quarter with an injured elbow, Beverly Hills seemed to steady and kicked a couple of goals to go into the break up by 5 points, 7.3 to Fitzroy’s 6.4. Now at this point I had to leave the game, so I missed the most exciting quarter of football for the season. Jack Rundle and Virginia Swanton tell me that the last stanza was tense with Beverly Hills attacking relentlessly. But Fitzroy’s defence held firm with Alex Hasiotis and Bryce McAdam leading the way with great run which provided many opportunities for our forwards. Again Nathan Ligris capitalised, capping off a great game, as did Dylan O’Neill – who put on another inspirational performance in the middle. Fitzroy was now in front for the first time since early in the first quarter. The rest of the game saw the back line under siege; but spoil after spoil, and contest after contest eventually denied Beverly Hills and resulted in Fitzroy running out two point winners- a great and courageous win by an undermanned Fitzroy Colts team who scored an A1 for guts and determination! Final Scores Beverly Hills 8.4.52 def by Fitzroy Colts 1… 8.6.54 Round 6 Warrandyte 1 V Fitzroy A glorious autumnal day greeted us at Bulleen Park for the clash with Warrandyte 1 on Sunday. The sun shone, the breeze was minimal and the temperature perfect for football. Warrandyte ran onto the ground and looked a formidable opponent with many tall and strong bodies taking their place on every line on the ground. Fitzroy Colts is by and large a small though fast running team with many light, bottom age players in many key positions. Taller stronger teams on paper should challenge our boys. But Sunday demonstrated why the Fitzroy Colts sits first on the ladder with six wins and no losses. From the first bounce, or throw-up to be more accurate, a now familiar pattern emerged- hit out, to a fast moving on- baller who kicks long to the forward line, goal! There were in fact two goals to Fitzroy in what seemed to be a blink of an eye and once again Fitzroy was in control of the game. We’ve been reading a lot about Mosquito Fleets lately. Carlton appears to be developing a new formidable combination of fast running, small and dynamic forwards capable of tearing a game apart, witness the demolition of St Kilda the other Monday. Well Fitzroy has its own Mosquito Fleet; fast running and powerful mid fielders, led by Gibbons, O’Neil et al coupled with a mobile and a very athletic big-ish man combination led by Palermo and Ford that is burning up the turf every-time we play. The work rate is high, the kicking generally hits targets and the game plan of moving the ball at speed down the corridor is working. It really is exciting to watch. By quarter time on Sunday Fitzroy had kicked 5.2 to Warrandyte’s 1.2 and were again looking to run away with the game. At quarter time George encouraged the team to play from in front, to run the ball hard out of defence and work hard into space. The opening few minutes of the second quarter saw the opposition taller ruckmen gain some ground in the stoppages which resulted in some quite reasonable supply being provided to their smaller men. But a series of missed opportunities up forward meant they had little effect on the scoreboard. When Dylan Vella Horne goaled and then Max Wilson slotted another, Fitzroy had stretched their lead at half time, going into the main break 7.6 to 1.5. If Fitzroy were challenged in the second quarter, the third proved once again to be decisive. After the break, the initial six minutes saw some scintillating football from the Fitzroy boys. Three goals were slammed on in quick succession due to a combination of sure ball handling, superior skills with both hand and foot and very direct football. This, combined with a great target up forward in Max Wilson who managed to kick a lazy 7.4 for the afternoon, put the game well beyond Warrandyte’s reach. At three quarter time Fitzroy were 14.6 to Warrandyte’s 2.7. By the last quarter all the sting had gone out of the game and Fitzroy once again cruised to an easy victory. Final scores Fitzroy 18.6. to Warrandyte 3.10 We look forward to testing ourselves against Beverly Hills next week. They will be worthy opponents having tested our boys in the second round of the season but here’s hoping our mosquito fleet can once again do the job and bring home the four points. Thanks to Rob Ryan who helped me compile the match report this week. Round 5 Bundoora V Fitzroy There is always a mixture of anticipation and apprehension when Fitzroy plays Bundoora at what ever age level. The history between the two clubs has produced some fierce and often physical encounters that have become legendary in the mythology of the Fitzroy Junior Footy Club. So it was with mixed emotions that we travelled to Tefler Reserve on Sunday to play our old foe. We were greeted with a strong westerly wind blowing straight down the sloping, dusty ground giving one end a decided advantage. On winning the toss Bundoora’s captain pointed down the slope and drew first blood by slotting the initial goal of the day- it looked as though Fitzroy were in for a tough day at the office. Unfortunately it was the only time in game that Bundoora looked at all competitive. Fitzroy’s ruck division led by Jack Iacono were dominant allowing the on-ballers and centreline especially to run riot. The forwards held the ball in Fitzroy’s half for much of the quarter and when it did move into Bundoora’s half, the full back and half back line were solid, and provided lots of run back into attack. We went into quarter time eight points up and with the prospect of kicking with the wind and down the slope after the break. George congratulated the boys on the first quarter effort and asked for a 5 per cent increase in intensity in the second stanza. I think he got 10! What followed was possibly the best quarter of footy the boys have played all season. Again Fitzroy simply dominated around the ground with Dylan O’Neil prominent; this allowed the forwards to picnic on the copious supply of ball that came their way. The backline was tight and appear to be developing signs of becoming a team within a team - so necessary to win finals campaigns later in the season. But may be we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Having produced a nine goal quarter Fitzroy went into half time well in control. We could clearly hear the opposition coach revving up his troops for a third quarter effort, but again George remained calm, telling his charges they needed to maintain their commitment at the ball, lift their intensity and play attacking football in the second half. As you would expect Bundoora came out determined to lift their game. And so they did- briefly. Bundoora kicked the first goal of the quarter and made several dangerous forward forays, but once again the backline remained strong and resisted the challenge. A couple of goals to Fitzroy against the wind and Bundoora collectively dropped their heads, it was party time. The last quarter, well it was a bit of a procession really. There was little resistance from the opposition and Fitzroy was largely left to do as they liked, kicking goal after un-answered goal. This was a game, as George rightly said, played the way the coaching staff would like Fitzroy to play, with lots of hard running mixed with disciplined- team orientated football. And the trepidation felt by some parents before the game, proved to be unfounded. This was a one-sided affair but played in good spirit. When the Bundoora coaching staff congratulated the Fitzroy players for a game well played, it was felt that maybe we had entered a new and benign era in the Fitzroy/Bundoora rivalry. Final scores Fitzroy 19.11 125 to Bundoora 4.4 28
Round 3 Whitehorse Colts V Fitzroy In a one-sided game, Fitzroy Colts 1 easily accounted for Whitehorse Colts at Springfield Park on Sunday. Whitehorse Colts kicked the first two goals of the second quarter ad for the first and only time in the game threatened to get back into the contest. But then goals to Nathan Watts and Tom Watkins steadied the ship and Fitzroy was back on top- with Dylan O’Neil, despite being hampered by a knee injury, dominating and Alex Hasiotis and Fillippo Palmero, lively. The third and fourth quarters saw Fitzroy completely dominate the game. Where as last week it was points points points, this week it was goals goals goals seventeen of them in fact, with many kicked by Dean M and Max W. It was difficult to keep track of the avalanche, so I won’t try to name individual goal kickers only to say Nathan Walsh, Jack Iacono, Max W, Eddie Gibbons, Alex Maloney, Alex H, Dylan O, Filippo P. Luke Scott and in a great first up display Nick Gibbons all put in terrific performances. But I’m sure the coaching staff will agree this was a great team display with all players contributing significantly to the victory. There is no doubt the team is melding into a strong, unified and determined unit capable of big things in 2010. The final score, Fitzroy 17.14 to Whitehorse Colts 6.7. Round 2 In an even team performance Fitzroy Colts 1 beat a determined Beverly Hills at Bulleen Park on Sunday. As we all know Sunday was warm and sunny with no threat of rain, however it rained points for Fitzroy in that first quarter, five of them and one goal. Beverly Hills looked to be struggling, but it was Fitzroy's poor kicking that kept the opposition in touch. The second quarter was a replica of the first with lots of supply to the forward line as a result of great work by our on-ballers, led by Filippo Palermo the backline holding firm due to some great work by Alex Hasiotis and Eddie Gibbons. But again our superior general play was not reflected on the score board and we went into half time only six points up. The third quarter saw Fitzroy lose its way a little, and I lost my note book, so I can't tell you the goal kickers this week, but we again, kicked poorly and made some crucial errors in general play- letting Beverly Hills back into the game. However, there were some pleasing signs, bottom age players Dave Herbert, Jake Kyroussis, Nathan Filleri and Nathan Ligeris were working their way into the game and the on-ballers and centre line continued to work hard. But despite our best efforts we went into the final quarter a couple of points down. The last quarter was in complete contrast to the rest of the game. Luke Scott was providing drive off the wing, Dylan Vella Horne was solid at half back and Jack Ford was picking up possessions. When Dean Macriyiannis took some telling marks forward - suddenly the whole team lifted and were playing with the poise and system lacking in the first three quarters. And so when Sam Gritzalis kicked the final goal of the day deep into the last quarter Fitzroy were home…7-13-55 to Beverly Hills 7-4-46. Round 1 In a gutsy come- from-behind win, Fitzroy Colts 1 had a perfect start to the 2010 season on Sunday. We were greeted with a strong gusty south west wind at Balwyn Park for the first round clash with new club Boroondara Hawks, making the conditions difficult for football. However with a lush, green and even playing surface, so rare lately for the opening round of the season, hopes were high for a good game of Colts footy. Whether it was first round nerves or the fact that these were two relatively new sides to the competition and unfamiliar with each other's game, the opening quarter was a scrappy affair. Skill levels on both sides were down and Fitzroy's forward line congested and lacking any clear to direction to goal. Despite the poor level of play and the fact that Fitzroy was kicking against the wind William Keating managed to snare two very important goals before quarter time, leaving us just one point behind at the change. Fitzroy had the wind in the second quarter and hopes were high that not only would the weather hold, but it would rain goals for the Roys. It didn't. The game continued as it begun with lots of mistakes, mauling packs and little system up forward. But there were some good signs. The backline led brilliantly by Alex Hasiotis held firm and the centre line was working its way into the game giving some good supply to the forwards. But goals were hard to come by with only a scrambled major to Nathan Fillieri troubling the scorers. We went into half time still a couple of points down, with the prospect of the Hawks kicking with a strengthening wind in the third quarter. Half time saw George ask his team to open up the forward line, share the ball and for all players to be harder at the contest. Phillipo Palermo, Eddie Gibbons, Dylan Oneill and Alex Maloney certainly heard the call and played tough, competitive footy in the third quarter. However despite some improving passages of play the Hawks managed three goals in the quarter to Fitzroy's solitary point- leaving a 21 point deficit at the final change. The final term was a beauty. George had told his players at the break that if they ran hard, were strong at the ball and above all wanted to win- they would. Almost from the bounce it was evident that a change had come over the contest. Fitzroy, kicking with the breeze, started to move the ball with some fluidity and our forwards were getting on top. Goals to Nathan Walsh and a couple to Dean Macriyiannis, gave Fitzroy momentum. With the backline repelling Moroondara's every forward move and a general increased level of intensity around the ground, Fitzroy were looking the better side. When David Herbert took a strong mark at centre half forward and goaled deep into the final quarter Fitzroy was assured of a very important and hard fought win. George in congratulating the boys after the game emphasised the importance of attending training both Tuesday and Friday to ensure Fitzroy have a successful 2010.
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Colts1 2010
