The temperature at Humber North was only hitting 4'c by the 1pm start and wind was howling from the North making it bitterly cold for football.
New coach Steve Curran was making his coaching entrance into the OAFL along with new Aussies Ben Watts, Chris Haesler, Steve Curran Jnr, Bryce Marshall and new Canadians Greame Hooey and Andrew Redelmier. Some new faces and a new game plan were set in place ready to go.
The 1st bounce and away we went looking to make an impact with our depleted side. Great endevour at the ball and some desperation football through out the 1st 20 minutes enabled the boys to get their confiednce going as we stayed with the 2009 Premiers despite not be able to rotate men off the bench due to not having one. Travis Mckenzie's long bomb from outside 50 meters got us on the scoreboard and the toughness in the middle from Bryce Marshall and running from Murray Lovett and Mike Langner provide some hope as we went into the first break only 9 points down.
Big Manny Matata started winning the rucks and providing quality ball to Bryce Marshall and Murray Lovett who in turn would look to get it into Kyle Bridson who was battling a bad ankle injury and big Jeff Wingrove who had torn a rib muscle. Bryce Marshall after a gutsy mark and pin point pass from Chris Haesler goaled and things were still looking up. The defence lead by Ben Watts, Jeff Reid, John Elliott, Chet Long, Adam Jacobs and Jeff Vance held the Eagles to 2 goals for the term and we were still only 15 points down with 40 minutes of football to play. The big question remained would the Eagles get on top thru interchange rotation and the roos game injuries that were taking their toll.
The answer was quickly found midway thru the 3rd term. Adam Jacobs clashed heads with an hard headed Eagle and had to leave ther field with concussion and the work rate the players had already contributed without rest was starting to take it's toll. Relentless pursuit and gang tackling from the Roos all over the field had tired them but they kept fighting as the Eagles started to slowly strangle the life out of the roos. Again the backline held strong with Mike Clelland and Jeff Reid worked in tandem to repel countless attacks. The midfield worked tirelessly looking to link the backline to the forwardline thru Matata, Lovett, McKenzie, Jnr Curran and Marshall. Up forward Redelmier, Karacic, Hooey were desperate but unable to break thru on the scoreboard. The roos down by 34 points with 20 minutes to play.
It's takes a lot of guts to stand up and continue to face the Dragon under massive strain, the lads continued to fight to the pleasure of their coach who had expressed his delight in their efforts to date and the way they had gone about it. Not once had the diviated from the game plan that will be of importance as the season wears on. Things didn't get any better in the last as Kyle Bridson was forced from the field with his ankle. Now the Royal Blue and white had to play a man down. Although the scoreboard attendent was not troubled much by the roos its a fine effort on the day that has envigored and galvanised the club after a stagnant start to the year.
When coach Steve Curran asked by www.roosafc.com how he felt his team aquitted themselves on the day his response was: I couldn't have asked for anything more from the 19 guys who played today, there efforts were outstanding, the attack off the ball and their committment to the game plan and each other has left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside that i want to have with me forever. He finished with a classic Mick Malthouse line of "The Ox is slow but the earth is patient" how this relates to the day or football is anyones guess. Mine thoughts are he either owns an Ox that he wishs was faster or taking your time is ok with an Ox.
Next week Round 2 Vs Guelph 2pm in Guelph
Quarter By Quarter Scores
Etobicoke Tor. Eagles
1st: 1.0.6 2.3.15
2nd: 2.0.12 4.3.27
3rd: 2.1.13 7.3.47
Final: 2.2.14 10.6.66
Best Players: Bryce Marshall, Chris Haesler, Mike Langer, Murray Lovett, Travis McKenzie, Jeff Reid.
Goalkickers: Travis McKenzie 1, Bryce Marshall 1.
Weekly Award Winners
Wolf Blass - Gift Pack: Chris Haesler.
Maple Leaf House - $20 Gift Voucher: Mike Langner
Coach's Award - Beer Mug: Bryce Marshall
Pizza Pizza - 1 %er Free Large Pizza: Murray Lovett
Etobicoke Kangaroos Next Weeks Games Round 2:
Saturday May 15th
Div 2 Vs Central Blues 9am @ Humber North
Div 1 Vs Guelph Gargoyles 2pm @ Guelph
Division 2 Report: The Quebec Saints made the long trek down the 401 from Montreal on Saturday to play the Div 2 boys in their first hit out of the season. Following on from the Div 1 game the conditions only improved slightly for the first bounce with a squad of 15 ready for battle. The Quebec boys came out fast with their young side looking to run the roos around who had 4 players over the age of 40 having kick who ran valiently to keep up on the big ground. Quebec got out to a 14 point lead following some keep ball movement and goals but Etobicoke answered back thru wily veteran Dean Noblett. Best for the roos were Nick McKinley, Mark Storey, John Elliott and Greg Everett.
A change in wind direction forced the roos to again kick in to it and the continued run by Quebec forced the boys to play a loose man across half back to stem the wave of Quebec forward entries holding them to 3 goals for he term as they took a 31 point lead into the long break. Best players were: Mark Storey, Craig Coulls, Greg Everett, John Elliott.
The roos couldnt take a trick with the wind again swirling around in favour of the Saints as they peppered the goals constantly but the great work from Everett, Smaketala, Noblett and Elliott held them to one goal for the 3rd quarter.
Finally the roos caught a break with the wind staying in their end, allowing them to run and drive the ball deep into the forward line looking to capilitise. Some strong work thru the midfeild from Steve Curran Snr & Jnr gave big Chris Kiehn the chance to use his big frame to take a few marks and look to get on the scoreboard. In the end the boys scored 2 goals, 1 each from Mark Storey and Jeff Vance to finish strong but short on the result by 38 points.
A good 1st hit out and enjoyed by all that played. Thanks to Andrew Redelemier, John Elliott, Jnr Curran, and Jeff Vance who backed up after playing Div 1.
Next weeks game Saturday May 15th Vs Central Blues 9am Humber North.
Quarter By Quarter Scores
Etobicoke Quebec Saints
1st: 1.1.7 3.3.21
2nd: 1.2.8 6.3.39
3rd: 1.2.8 7.7.49
Final: 3.3.21 8.11.59
Best Players: Mark Storey, John Elliott, Greg Everett, Craig Coulls, Dean Noblett, Nick McKinley.
Goalkickers: Mark Storey 1, Jeff Vance 1, Dean Noblett 1.
Weekly Award Winners
Frito Lay Chips - Gift Pack: Mark Storey.
BigGrab Sports - 2 Movie Tickets : John Elliott.
Last Modified on 05/01/2011 08:06