The Mitcham Junior Football Club was involved in Round 2 action over the weekend. After a beautiful Saturday, the weather did a complete change for us on Sunday and all our teams were faced with rain, hail and at times a freezing cold wind.
Under 8 Mitcham Black Coach, Peter Ajani posted this match report – “Today we played a very spirited Mooroolbark team. Our Captain this week was William, who has really shown a good ability to use his voice. William started the game by always being first to the ball and getting his hands on the ball early. The team struggled at various stages of the game as Mooroolbark appeared a bit more desperate and stronger early on. As a team, we kept working hard and played some very good football, particularly in the second and final quarters. This week the coaches award was given to LeBron who always stayed on his man while down back and then when he was put into the midfield, had a few great runs, kicked a lovely goal and also took mark of the day. There were several other good passages of play, but none better than the centre clearance by Felix who ran to centre half forward to kick a lovely goal. There were also good goals for Marco and Noah in his first game. Although all the boys tried hard, other boys who stood out today were Patrick, Lucas, Liam, Jett, Aiden and Gabriel. Well done to everyone!”
Mitcham Yellow Under8's took on Norwood and Coach Josh McConnell had this to say about the game - “Today were led by ‘Captain Courageous’ Heath Fox against the Norwood Raiders. It was the boys first game in the rain and all seemed to enjoy the difference that these conditions bring. The aim today was to follow the team rule of being first to the ball. Again the boys had the opportunity to play in many positions. With more boys signing up each week, it is great to see how well the boys take having to be on the bench for a period of time. The marking and kicking again is improving with Mason taking another couple of big pack marks and passing well to his team mates. Heath Fox led from the front and was first to the ball on many occasions, which gave him the opportunity to score some goals. This saw Heath awarded the Medal for today’s game. James Wilson was awarded the ‘Penelen’s’ voucher for his very strong work in the backline where he took solid marks and set up the play really well, always finding his team mates by hand or foot. James Watts worked tirelessly today and was awarded Mitcham JFC encouragement award for presenting very well in the forward line, taking some strong marks and having many shots at goal. Will Serong showed some great run and attack on the ball today and was awarded the ‘Mr. Croc’s Star Award’. Will’s goal after moving well back from the man on the mark and kicking long and straight was a great achievement. Next week will see Mitcham Yellow play East Ringwood White at 10.30am. Great game boys and Go Tigers!
The Under 9’s took the trip up Maroondah Highway to play at Gateway Reserve in Lillydale. Coach Brad Aujard sent in this match report - “I am a very proud coach today after watching an excellent display of wet weather football and teamwork. Who would of thought you guys were only under 9's! With Daniel being told he was captain at the start of the game he led from the front really well. The ball came out of the middle with Will, Ryan O and Gruff combining fantastic together. Excellent leadership was shown from Lachlan "The Candy Man" Gilchrist, always bringing teammates into the game. I could honestly name every player in this report for doing some extraordinary things on the field. Our backs worked hard to move the ball out of the Lilydale Falcons forward line and the forwards finished well kicking goals from all angles. It was great to see you all having fun on the field and singing the song with gusto! I hope to see you all ready and willing on Friday night.’
The Under 10’s kicked off proceedings at Walker Park in their first home game for 2015. Coach Carlo Fanfulla was full of praise for his team when he sent in his match report – “Our first game at home against Kilsyth proved to be an exciting match as our boys did not disappoint the home crowd. Our captains Noah Melville and Robbie Baleisuva did a great job leading from the front. It was great to see multiple goals being scored as the boys improved on winning the clearances from the centre bounce; something we have worked on very hard at training. A big downpour of rain and hail at quarter time did not stop the boys from wanting to go back out there. Our hard tackling and pressure for the ball definitely proves to be a strength that gets better each game we play. I was very proud to be a Tiger today. Go Tigers!”
The Under 11’s played Glen Waverley Rovers on the huge Brentwood Reserve. The ground was in excellent condition considering the rainfall and Coach Jason Philactides had this to say about the game - "Today we came up against Glen Waverley Rovers who had some taller boys that dominated play and at times were almost impossible to stop. Early on in the game our pressure applied was great, in fact we dominated play for most of the first quarter. Last week was very similar to today with the first and third quarters being our best. If we can string 4 quarters together we'll give ourselves a great chance to win. I thought our kick-ins from full back worked really well which enabled us to clear the footy out of the opposition scoring range. This proves to me that when the boys concentrate, they can play some wonderful footy. As I said after the game, if the boys are improving as a team, as well as individually, then I'm very happy with that and the wins will eventually come. I also love the fact that our leadership group has taken on the responsibility to award one of their teammates each week with an award. Lastly thanks to Shane Sanderson for filling in as runner and Tom Kennedy for taking on last minute goal umpiring duties.”
Final Score: Glen Waverley Rovers 12.6.78 d Mitcham 2.1.13
Encouragement award - Nick Stansfield
Leadership Award - Preston McDonough
Goal kickers: Nick Stansfield 1 & Jasper Sedgewick 1
The Under 12's were at home where they took on Kilsyth. Coach Mark Ross filed this report - “On a very wet and cold Walker park, I asked the boys to get their body behind the ball and force the ball forward as quick as possible in the slippery conditions. With the forward line playing in front, a number of goals were scored from boys taking chest marks, which was very pleasing. Both Harry Catlin, 3 goals, and Blake McDonough, 2 goals, did a great job all day. The mid fielders and "on ballers" also worked hard all day to force the ball forward while our defence repelled attack after attack. The most pleasing part of this group of boys is that they can adjust the way they play and they listen and follow instructions from the coaching staff. Another impressive performance! Well done boys!”
Final Score: Mitcham 7.6.48 d Kilsyth 1.0.6
The Under 13’s took on Vermont at Koonung Reserve in Blackburn North. Coach Shane Dickson had this to say about their game – “The skies were clear to start this morning, but then unfortunately the heavens opened up in a big way. This did not help any of the boys, but particularly those who have not had to deal with this before. This allowed Vermont to get off to a much better start and left us a fair way behind at the half time break. There was some good movement of the ball in the second half, which allowed us to have the ball in our forward line more often. I was also glad to see some of the new boys step up and approach the ball in a more attacking manner. Our attack and endeavor for the ball in the last quarter was an improvement on the previous quarters, and this did eventually allow us to score. We clearly need to be committed to the game and each week is going to present a different challenge. If we can commit to more hard work at training, the benefits will eventually pay off. Keep working hard boys.
Final Score: Vermont 18.16.124 d Mitcham 2.1.13
Goals: Michael (1), Corey (1)
Awards: Julian D, Luke H, Jarrod C.
The Under 15’s also took on Glen Waverley Rovers at Brentwood Reserve in an early start time at the completion of our Under 11 game. Coach Cam Horsey sent in this report on the game – “Today we ventured down the Springvale Road to take on the Glen Waverly Rovers. With a huge amount of rain falling overnight, we were expecting to see a slow, muddy and sloppy ground, but it turned out to be the complete opposite. At least we now knew the ground would suit our fast style of play. We started the game well kicking the first major and were first to the ball at almost every contest, finishing the quarter up by a few points. Then the skies opened up with rain and hail and our momentum completely stopped while Glen Waverley seemed to choose another gear. Their attack on the ball was ferocious and we just looked like spectators. Although we did try hard, we just couldn’t make an impact and found it near impossible to score. I must mention the efforts of a few guys - Alex C, Tim R, Zac U, JP, Adrian, TK and Ben S who all tried hard, but there just weren’t enough individual ball winners for the day to get us across the line. All these things can be worked on and it is early in the season so I am sure we will come out the other side of this a better team as a loss like this won’t sit too well within the group and I am sure you are all looking to make it up to each other next week. A big effort is required on the track during the week, in preparation for the next game. Go Tiges!”
Final Score: Glen Waverley Rovers 10.4.64 d Mitcham 2.8.20
Last Modified on 04/12/2019 12:35