| Fitzroy | 2.4 | 2.6 | 5.7 | 9.13 | 67 |
| Macleod | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 19 |
The day before it had still been autumn, but come the day of the U13
Brown’s first game of the season it was definitely winter. It was a home
game at Ramsden St which can be like Siberia when the wind comes from the
southern quadrant. Expectations were high after the boys had come down from a
premature and challenging season in the lofty heights of Gold, but our
opponents had been finalists in Brown. In his pre-match address coach Andy laid
out the KPIs for the match:
• Work rate
• Desire for the ball
• 2 & 3 at the ball
Gus was captain for the day. Macleod won the toss and elected to kick to the
northern end which was favoured by a brisk south-westerly.
Play was scrappy early in the first quarter with neither team able to advance the ball beyond centre half forward. Both teams seemed to have trouble adapting to a new and relatively unfamiliar leather ball, made slippery by moisture. From a forward thrust Eddie marked from a pass from Robbie, ran around the mark and registered a major. A behind followed from Robbie, on the end of swift ball movement from Gus and Andrej. Next Andrej and Eddie combined to deliver the ball to the goal square where first gamer Max B picked up and goaled from his first kick. Despite some great harrying from Daniel in defense Macleod posted their first goal. Max B registered two further behinds on the end of passes from Aidan, Andrej and Robbie, at which point a squall swept across the ground making it unpleasant for players and spectators alike. Harry H laid a great tackle at centre half back to stop Macleod’s dangerous no 16. The ‘Roy boys had done well in this quarter to outscore Macleod against the wind.
Early in the second quarter the efforts of Noah, Eddie, Aiden, Aidan and Chas contributed two further behinds. However from then on Fitzroy were under sustained pressure as Macleod re-asserted themselves. Fitzroy’s cause was not helped by the wind which had shifted to be more across the ground. Aidan was prominent: with a great hard ball get, evading 3 opposition, and winning a free kick; as well as sitting a kick behind play to mark any Macleod rebounds out of the back. Despite this Macleod scored a major to make it a one goal margin at the main break. Macleod’s efficiency was keeping them in the game.
At half time the coach identified the opposition’s nos 16, 8, and 7 as the danger players, and asked those standing them to stick to them.
In the third quarter Chas was rested in the forward line whilst Eddie continued Fitzroy’s dominance at the ball ups. Sustained forward pressure delivered the ball to the pocket where Gus gathered and slotted a goal. Michael returned from injury with a strapped ankle, seemingly unencumbered as he laid 3 consecutive tackles on opposition players. Gus’ deep kick down the wing came off hands and was picked up by Chas, who bounced and goaled. Chas scored a behind, and then a further goal from a run and bounce on the end of a chain of passes out of defense from Ben, Declan, Andrej and Daniel. However Macleod remained in touch with a late behind and goal.
At the last break Andy praised the boys for their endeavour and asked for 6 unanswered goals in the last quarter…
He almost got it. Noah, who had not held a mark all day, slotted 3 majors all from gathers at ground level, and then hand balled to Eddie in the goal square, for Fitzroy’s final goal. Elsewhere Michael put in 3 successive one percenters, Harry J effected a great smother, and then picked up to kick a behind, Lucien was running the ball out of the centre, and Aidan again evaded 3 opposition before kicking deep to the hot spot.
A great first up win to the boys, lead from the front by Gus. Next week we are away to another first round winner Park Orchards. Go ‘Roys!
“Chicken Smallhorn” (the ghost of Fitzroy past)
Under 13-1 2010