The Mitcham Junior Football Club was involved in Round 10 action over the weekend and below are the match reports from all the games.
Under 8 Black – Coach Peter Ajani
Mitcham Black played Kilsyth Red in very cold conditions. The game started with Mitcham looking very classy with a goal from Steve and a great run from Gus, however Kilsyth then showed what a good side they were to be very even at half time. After half time our “late-comers” Noah, Nay and Tong took control out of the middle and from then on it was the best half of football that Mitcham Black has played all season. Captains this week were Gus, Aiden and Felix. The boys have played well all year, and as all good leaders do, they used their voice and continually encouraged their teammates to perform - well done boys! The Mitcham medals went to Tong and Marco. It really was a pleasure to give these awards out because both boys have really worked hard at their games. Tong attacked the footy, showing how his skills have continued to improve as the year has gone on. Marco’s attack on the ball, with second, third and fourth efforts, really highlights his improvement. A really great effort from both boys! The Ice Cream Sundae when to Patrick who saved goal after goal even though he had numb fingers, he just kept trying his heart out. The other Sundae award went to LeBron who kicked three goals and his blind turns were even making the umpire dizzy. The EFL Mr Crocs award went to Noah who played his best game, running, marking and finishing with some nice kicks - the best from just inside the centre square which sailed through for a goal. The Mitcham encouragement awards went to Archie and Charlie, who both had great games. Archie tried his hardest in all the positions he played and always tried to be first to the ball. Charlie kicked 7 goals, most from the backline and its great to see him to see him playing to his potential. Well done on such great games. The Mitcham hot dog and drink award went to Nay, Declan and Lucas. Nay played fantastic and has kept up his form from prior to the break. Declan just seems to be improving every week and I love his kicking. Lucas is probably the best tackler (although not allowed in U8’s, but can’t wait till Under 11’s) in the team and I love watching him even when the umpire does the right thing. Great game from all the boys! The last thing I have to note was Jett’s great game, saving a few goals taking heaps of marks and kicking a great goal, well played Jett. It was a real team effort this week. Well done to everyone!
Under 8 Yellow – Coach Josh McConnell
Mitcham Yellow took on Norwood Raiders for the second time this year in Round 10 with the temperature sitting on a balmy 5C. It did not stop the boys and this time around the Tigers showed a huge improvement. The noticeable improvement came in the backline with all players working hard to be in front and first to the ball to create the run we have been working on at training. This saw the Tigers have more of the ball across the whole ground. Our two Captains this week; Archer Kane and Ashton Smith both had great games starting the run and team play with great help from our starting ruckman Harry when they were in the middle. Winning the ball first in the centre created many clearances and opportunities for the forwards in the first half. We had many individual efforts which were fantastic, but the great thing we are seeing are the boys fighting hard for the ball in the packs and handballing it out to teammates that are on the run. As per the last few weeks, awarding the medal and awards gets harder and harder. It shows all the kids are improving and loving playing and practicing at training. Unfortunately we are losing one of our charges after he played his last game for the Tigers today. He has shown huge improvement and plays a great brand of football, always trying to get involved in the action. This week and for his last game, Sam Chaplin received the Mitcham Football Club Encouragement award. Well done Sam, good luck at your next club, keep enjoying your footy and have fun. The second Mitcham Encouragement award this week went to Angus Butler. Well done Angus, you played a great game taking some beautiful marks, trying on all occasions to be in front and finishing with some great kicks. Your improved kicking has all come from the hard work you have done at training! One of our Captains today had a great game and showed how he can run off his man from any position. Ashton Smith was awarded the Panelen’s Healthy Nut Bar and Café award for his leadership, team play and creating lots of run across the ground. He also chipped in with a few handy goals in the second quarter. Alexander Pairgi had another fantastic game this week following on from last week’s game. He used the ball exceptionally well when in the ruck and was a great tall man in defence at CHB. The Medal this week went to Stephen Stansfield for his efforts to get to the bottom of the pack and propel the ball forward. He has been training really well and worked very hard on his kicking this week. We could all see the concentration in that area during the game and we look forward to seeing more of that in the coming games. Great stuff Stephen! Dan, Ryan, Heath, Noah, Mason, Tyson, Will, Nate, Dylan, Henry, Charlie T and many others also had fantastic games today. All the boys stuck to the team plan and cut off many opposition attacks and created many scoring opportunities for themselves and more importantly their teammates. James Watt and James Wilson each had another great game and this along with their impressive seasons so far, has given the great honour of being our Captains in Round 11 against the hard fighting and skillful Mitcham Black. This is the game of the year and will be great to see all the boys playing their hearts out. It is very enjoyable to see how well you have all improved, so let’s have a great training session and get out there and show everyone how well we play as a team. Due to school holidays, next week there will be a few changes in the coaching and management of the team, but don’t worry boys the team plan still stands! Work hard for each other, get in front, run and most importantly have fun! Our Assistant Coach, Mark Butler who has been a huge help all season will be taking the reins as Coach and Simon Serong will also be filling the big shoes of Steve Darmody as Team Manager next game. Simon has been taking some amazing photos for us all season, and know that he will be able to transfer this skill into keeping the team in control. Game starts at 10am. Go get ’em Tigers!!
Under 9 – Coach Brad Aujard
Today we awoke to a very cold morning in Melbourne and headed down to Central Reserve to take on the Glen Waverly Hawks. The first half saw the boys start a little slower than normal, allowing the Hawks a lot of time to get numbers to both ends of the ground. I’m not sure if it was the quiet word from the coach at half time or the mercury finally hitting double digits, but the 2nd half all of a sudden saw the boys warm up and return to the tigers we are used to. Ben led the fight back and he showed us all just how good his run and teamwork can be. He was bursting through packs and running with the ball under his arm and this earned him the medal today. In all the games that I have watched the Mitcham under 9’s, both this year and last, never have I seen Jacoby play like he did today. His marking and commitment to the ball was exceptional, earning him the canteen voucher. It shows what he can do and I can’t wait until next week to see Jacoby dominate again. Lachlan Gilchrist is our spiritual leader, he flies for marks, he burrows into pack, he shares the ball and he runs to help out his teammates. Lachie plays his heart out every week and this week was no exception, earning him the chocolates. Stay Tough Tigers!
Under 10 – Coach Carlo Fanfulla
Our Under 10 boys hosted a good even contest on home soil against Upper Ferntree Gully. I’m so proud of how we played as it shows the boys are going from strength to strength. Oscar Marini and George Molnar led our courageous team and both boys were outstanding with George kicking a captain’s goal in the first quarter followed by Oscar also kicking a goal in the second quarter. I t was a great start to the game and from the first bounce we showed how hungry for the ball we were, never wanting to give it up too easily and applying pressure at every contest. It’s rewarding to see how well our boys are starting to understand the game a lot better and are particularly maintaining positions and having a good understanding how to play each role. We let our guards down in the second quarter as Upper Ferntree Gully were doing a good job in finding space and taking uncontested marks. Our efficiency with the ball improved in the second half and we were able to get the ball into our forward half a lot easier. Sam Atherton played a great role at full back kicking out from goal and choosing the right options to find his targets. Ned Dodds did a great job in applying pressure to their forwards and never giving up in a contest. Stephen Burton was a joy to watch in defence with a strong tackle, stopping a certain goal and taking an awesome diving mark. He certainly stepped up today after not feeling well last week and he was our most improved player of the round. Hamish Gill puts his talent on display each week and impresses me as he always makes it look so easy as he out runs his opponent and delivers the ball to our forwards. In the third quarter we saw a great run into an open goal by Hudson Goulding while being well supported by George. It certainly got us all up cheering. Great effort today! Well done boys!
Under 11 – Coach Jason Philactides
The boys should be extremely proud of their effort today. I know we lost by 7 goals, however it certainly didn't feel like that. We were all over Boronia from the first bounce until the final siren and it was obvious Boronia didn't appreciate the physical, “high pressure” game. The only difference between the 2 teams was that Boronia capitalized on their chances to kick goals, where as we missed a few easy opportunities. Having said this, to get so many goal kicking opportunities on a massive ground shows that the boys are improving and are capable of playing some awesome footy. The backline was unbelievable! They stayed tight on their player, they played in front and they made their opponent earn every touch. The rucks and the midfield also won plenty of the ball and matched it with one of the better midfields in our grade. The forwards were hungry to kick goals and jump on the ball which is exactly what I've asked for. If they weren't winning the ball they were locking it into our forward line. The Coaching staff was extremely happy with the performance of the entire team today and it was especially pleasing to see Sasha, Harry and Mick come out of their shells to win todays awards. Sasha won lots of the footy across the wing, chased hard and was very clean at grabbing the ball and then driving it forward into our forward line. Harry did what I asked and stayed tight on his opponent. He also laid quite a few tackles that awarded him free kicks and was very smart in the last quarter rushing a behind under immense pressure. Mick, another backline player, was superb. For such a little kid he showed today that he can match it with the bigger kids and he should take a lot of confidence out of his game today. It was fantastic to see him rewarded in the first quarter for a ripper tackle, which was the first of many for Mick. Well done boys I look forward to each of you to continue with this form for the rest of the year.
Final Sore: Boronia 9.5.59 d Mitcham 2.4.16
Goals: Nathan 2
Under 12 – Coach Mark Ross
Cool but clear skies was the order of the day when the U12's took on Heathmont in our round 10 clash. With Vice Captain Tyler Kenyon celebrating his 75th game, the boys were pumped and primed to have a good day. We got off to a solid start kicking two goals in first quarter. The second quarter saw the Tigers really hit their straps adding another 4 goal to lead comfortably at half time. In the second half we continued to play good T.E.A.M. football to double our score and kick our highest score for the year. The most pleasing part of the game was the number of different goal kickers. Great to see Atticus, Remi and Sam Balman kick their first goals for the season. Goals to Joel 2, Harry2, Ethan Wu2, Wil and Drake 2 and an amazing long snap goal to Callum, capped off a very productive day. The other pleasing aspect of today's game was the boys kicking the ball to "dangerous positions" in the forward line enabling us to take marks in front of goal. A special mention to Joel who dominated the centre rucks and took marks all around the ground. Encouragement awards to Atticus who really worked hard in the forward line and was rewarded by kicking a goal, and to Shane who was at the bottom of the packs all game winning the ball and forcing it forward. Continue to work hard on the training track and I'm sure we will be up for the next challenge. The Under 12's really appreciated the Under 10's lining up for Tyler and chanting his name. Now that's club spirit!
Final Score: Mitcham 12.12.84 d Heathmont 1.4.10
Under 13 – Coach Shane Dickson
Once again this week we did not apply enough pressure to our opponents in the first half, which allowed them to get off to a flying start. In the second half we were more switched on and did seem to want to attack the ball harder. Michael worked hard all game, Jarrod defended well in the back line and Harrison attacked the ball well. Noah & Sam’s efforts continue to be an asset to the team. Luke Smith’s determination is an inspiration to his teammates the way he works hard in the back line despite the pain he is suffering. It is clear that we are going to need many more players to improve their efforts in order for us to be more competitive in each game. We need to keep a positive outlook each week and come to each game prepared to give 100% right from the very start of the game. Keep your heads high, and be proud to be a Tiger. See you at training.
Final Score: Kilsyth 11.7.73 d Mitcham 4.5.29
Goals: Sam1, Jac 1, Kyle 1, Dominic 1
Awards: Michael, Harrison, Jarrod
Under 15 – Coach Con Anoniou
Today we played Glen Waverley Rovers on their home ground for the second time this season. We could ill afford an effort similar to the last time we played this team so it was important that everyone was prepared to put their bodies on the line today. With the aid of a slight breeze we went into quarter time with a couple of goal lead thanks to two very late goals, but you could tell that this was going to be a tough game. Glen Waverley Rovers took control in the second and went into the long break leading by 5 points. Laziness had crept into our game and too much was being left to too few. Thing improved in the third quarter and there was good ball movement and some great finishing in front of goal, particularly from Jules and Josh C who kicked a couple of beauties each. We went into the last break with a 22-point lead but knew that the Rovers would strike back at us with the aid of the breeze in the last. This they did and we were under siege for most of the quarter but were able to hang on by 3 points in the end. Full marks to our back line in the last quarter for scrapping it out and ensuring that we ran out winners. The last five minutes was very tense and there were some terrific individual efforts and teamwork, which eventually got us over the line. Well done in the end boys. A win is a win and we know we can play much better than we did today!
Final Score: Mitcham 9.8.62 d Glen Waverley Rovers 9.5.59
Last Modified on 04/12/2019 12:40