http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2015/05/17/4237292.htm?§ion=sport&date=(none
This is a link to the our superstar sports reporter, EP's legendary Emma Pedler's report on the weekend football. Images from Ursula Montgomerie on the Ceduna matchesare included. Thank you Em and Ursula! Also a report on the Port Lincoln Districts/ Great Flinders/ Eastern Eyre matches
Mid West home and away rounds went into recess for the week for the first week of the representative season.
All eyes to Ceduna as Mid West took on the best from Far West and Lincoln City in a day of high intensity and fast football. Magnificent conditions at Ceduna oval, soft green surface, gentle cross breeze and mild weather set the scene for crowd pleasing country sport!
Under 15s
A young Mid West side went into the 1st game against Far West with little experience at the faster paced representative level. The boys in green certainly showed what it takes in the first half, skipping away, eleven points up at the break but these were kicked one at a time. From there after the match was evenly poised, Far West winning by 17 points. The young Magpies gained a valuable lesson in that they need to be quick and clean, tackles must stick and that in the shorter format, giving up an early lead is very hard to overcome. Better players included Joe O Brien, as captain and a class mover, Sam Kessell always courageous and very fit, Zeph Mohi elusive, Steve Brands in and under and Jay Johns in good touch.
Playing a strong Port Lincoln City side in their second match, the boys again took time to settle in to the game, with the early running all Lincolns way. 29 points down at the half, the Mid West boys took stock and were able to kick a couple of hard fought goals in the second half. 55 points the final margin, perhaps extended late with a couple of last minute goals by the City side. Joe O Brien and Sam Kessell again leading the way, Ree Martin earning some tough possession, Jackson Grocke trying hard in the ruck, Fraser Douglass classy when the ball was in his hands and Josh Horgan in the mix. Young Jeb Nettle won some great football at the last line when he was given his chance and will be one to watch in the next couple of years at this level. Joe O Brien a well deserved best for Mid West Medal
All in all a good hit out to understand the increased intensity and speed needed at inter league level . Port Adelaide Cup coming up in a couple of weeks so this was an important test. Both Far West and Lincoln City will be pleased with their positions leading into the Port Adelaide Cup. Coach Jared Sampson is a master tactician with our developing players and leads form the front with his own style of play. Jared has asked that players meet at Minnipa for each of the next two Sundays (24th and 31st May ) to train for Port Lincoln. Skills sessions and also time together will assist getting the best preparation for the upcoming Cup Carnival.
Under 17
Coaching staff Luke Nettle and Graeme Montgomerie primed also a younger team for what promised to be high standard games against two classy opposition outfits. Game one against Far West started in a blaze of speed with the Far Westies running and playing on at every opportunity. Like the under 15s earlier, it took some fifteen minutes or so for the Mid West boys to adjust as a team to the tempo, and at that point found themselves three goals down, Like the under 15s before them, the match was squared from then on. Far West were clean with their ball handling and opened the game with hard run at every opportunity. A very handy 26 point win to the home side
Second up was Lincoln City, no respite to the pressure at all and similarly to the first match, the early running was all the City boys. As the match continued, the Magpies were able to claw their way back but those early minutes again proved telling, 32 point win to Lincoln City.
Kyle Tucker won the medal as best for Mid West, his drive and passion for the contest was telling, Tom Shaw in and around the ball, Zane Montgomerie continues his ongoing improvement, and he will be a key going into Kinlough. Charlie Williams elusive all day and Ian Jericho constant rebound from defence. Kane Grocke displayed excellent leadership and presented well up forward.
Kinlough Cup is not until July but this is a very valuable hit out and the first chance for usual opponents to play together as a team.
A Grade
Coaching staff Mick Kessell and Ian Hood had a new side to mould together with only six remaining from last year’s Mortlock. This first contest of the inter league season is a big chance for players to stake a claim for a Mortlock spot and a chance for the coaches to try a few things out. As expected, the first match was to be a test against a strong Far West home side. The first half was everything expected in representative football, fast , open, skills on display, scores locked at the half. The Mid West boys were able to ease away with the game late, with good players everywhere. In the end the 31 point margin the largest of the whole match. Lincoln City next up. Rumour emanating from Port Lincoln was that they were struggling to put the team together, but this was just a smoke screen! The boys from south proved to be a well balanced, smooth moving unit, pretty much what would normally be expected from legend of the game Dave Stoeckel as coach. The fresher City boys ripped the game open in the first half taking a 28 point lead into the half break. From there on it was goal for goal, the final margin staying at that 28 points.
For Mid West, very hard to go past Dillon Montgomerie, and the astute judges didn’t, he was justly awarded the Best Player Medal for Mid West. Jason Henderson is a big game player and enjoyed two good games, the evergreen Scott Feltus refuses to weary with age, great again, Joe Mc Innis with great leg speed, and he will be valuable come Mortlock, young Brett Mc Comb in the ruck held up against bigger bodies against him. Aiden Whitford always class at this level, Ryan Watson a valuable contributor, even ending up on the wrong end of a swipe from the home team, earning the culprit Murphy 10 minutes in the sin bin! Jesse Stringer, particularly around the packs with lightening hands, Jared Sampson, always immaculate with his disposal, Dillon Cabot and Adam Braendler.
Good start to the representative season and looking forward to Mortlock Shield with some degree of confidence. There will be two training prior to the Mortlock campaign.
Far West Football League, a great job in hosting the day, well catered by the Ceduna Blues. Very grateful from all in Mid West as visitors. Country Sport is alive and well, and we all look forward to the future 2015 carnivals in football and netball
Results?
Well here is the link to Far West's home page
https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-6622-0-0-0&a=COMPS
or just dowload them from the attached pdfs.
Last Modified on 13/02/2016 00:55
