With the club having a heightened sense of anticipation going into the first round of a new season, the young Roos team ran out in magnificent football conditions, opposed to a Heywood side which had recruited four players boasting AFL experience.
The West Gambier side welcomed back some ex-junior players BradWilson and Stephen Fennell, new recruits Matt Scanlon, Ollie O'Donovan, Tim Byrne and Darren Whitehorn. Also, there were three debutants , Josh Jones and Trent Badman who have graduated from the junior ranks, and Dylan Walsh who is still elligible for junior competition. Prior to the match, past legends such as Barrie Hudson, Bill James, Barry Ward, Paul Beckman and Brenton James presented the new players with their jumpers in the rooms.
The game started with Steve Wenman matched up against 3-time AFL premiership player Mal Michael at fullback, and Brad Wilson standing ex-Essendon forward Courtenay Johns. While the Heywood ruckman got his hand to the ball first, it was the West midfield of Luke Davey, Ollie and Al Kennedy who were clearing the ball. The ball moved up and down the field with great speed and skill, the West boys wasting some chances early, but "Jacka" Ryan chimed in with one of his special goals against the boundary line. Brad Wilson and Steve Wenman were holding their own against the big boys, and then teaming with all in the backline to clear the ball from defence. At quarter time West found themselves 4 points down due to the opposition's accuracy.
New coach "Hooker" Ransom encouraged the boys to continue in the same vein for the next stanza of play, and what followed was a joy to all of the West supporters in attendance. The West boys piled on 7 goals for the quarter, with a level of commitment and team work rarely seen for a number of years. The defence spoiled and swept the ball forward through Joel Carter and Bobby Bouchier, Tank Cowell was in everything and Kayne O'Brien was blanketting the dangerous Matt Sailor and running forward creating options. The midfield was on top both in attack and also creating turn-overs to return the ball into the forwards. Matt Scanlon was doing all the strong work across half forward, creating space for his fellow forwards, allowing Joey Ferguson-Lane to snap a good goal, and Jacka Ryan to weave his magic. Going in the rooms, the West held a 5 goal advantage.
In previous years the second half of the game proved to be the Roos undoing but to their credit, the team continued to team together well and push the ball forward. Trent Badman took a strong mark and kicked a long goal, Ollie O'Donovan bored in and won the contested ball and Joel Carter showed that his hard work over summer had paid off by continuing to run the ball clear of the backline. West built their lead by a further 2 goals at 3 quarter time, however Steve Wenman caused concern after hobbling off during the quarter with a leg complaint. He had done a stirling job to that point, holding Mal Michael to 1 goal.
In the 3 quarter time huddle, Hooker emplored his charges to maintain the level of efort for the last stanza. The final quarter started with a stalemate, the Roos ruckmen Stuey McLaughlin and Joey Ferg beginning to tire against the much taller and experienced Heywood opponent. However the midfield maintained their dominance of the clearances. But as the saying goes,"Tall players don't get any shorter at the end of the game", and Courtney Johns began to get his hands on the footy, and kick truly to pile on 4 goals for the quarter. However Joel Carter continued to run and got on the end of a passage of play to kick a vital goal and steady the team, eventually West ran out winners by 25points. In what was probably the hardest job all day, best players were judged to be the new captain Luke Davey, Steve Wenman, Joel Carter, Jacka Ryan, Brad Wilson and Ollie O'Donovan. But as coach Hooker stated in the rooms after the match,there were no passengers and every one of the 21 who took the field contributed.
And the after match celebrations were a sight to behold. The new players and coach in the middle of the circle, which more resembled a mosh pit, and the song was sung with enormous spirit and gusto. Past players and supporters joined in with the song and the new players were initiated with water spraying everywhere. The coach emerged saturated but extremely happy.
Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff, the next challenge will be to maintain the level of performance against traditional rival North Gambier next week.
The ressies started the year under new coach Darren Beyer with a limited preparation and playing a strong and more commited outfit. Unfortunately the boys tried hard but were outclassed on the day.
Billy Ashby returned to coaching the Under 18's and the boys started out matching it with the Heywood boys, but as the game wore on the boys dropped off a bit, to finish 24 points in arrears.
Last Modified on 03/09/2010 15:30