The grand final was a matchup between the 2 teams that really dominated the competition and was a fitting way to finish off the season. We were hoping the weather gods would be on our side but unfortunately the day turned nasty with strong winds for most of the day and by the time our game was on it was gusting at around 70km/hr.
The boys training over the last couple of weeks has been really solid and crisp and we were all confident of a good showing vs. Prahran. The lead up had everything, a great banner made by the banner king, Phil Dent, the line up and the playing of the National Anthem pre-game, the grand final toss, which we won and then the opening siren.
The wind was proving difficult to manage and whilst having the advantage of kicking with it in the 1st term, we just couldn’t capitalize and convert a few more opportunities. We held them scoreless but only managed 1.2.8 ourselves giving us the big challenge of holding off Prahran with the wind in the 2nd. The boys came out firing at the start of the 2nd quarter and we managed to get the ball up the end of the ground where it hadn’t been at all in the first quarter and we looked dangerous, but even being 20 metres out from goal seemed like 60m with the wind howling. We did manage the first score of the 2nd quarter, a point, which gave the boys the confidence that they could score into the wind. We kept repelling attack after attack but Prahran finally managed to break apart our defence and scored 2 goals for the quarter, one just before half time to take a 5 point lead into the long break.
With a half of footy left for the season and the conditions not letting off, we knew we needed a fast start to the 3rd quarter, bang a goal to take back the lead and suddenly the boys were up and about again. A few minutes later, and we had another one and the momentum had clearly shifted in the game and we were on top. But as they had proven all year, Prahran hit back and quickly kicked 2 goals into the wind and with the siren sounding, somehow they had a 5 point lead with a quarter to go, kicking with the gale that had been blowing all day. It was time for one last chat with the boys before the season finished and the message from the coaches was all about their effort, give us 100% and we will be proud. They gave each other everything they had and held off Prahran for the first 8 minutes of the quarter, but eventually their momentum took over and they were able to score a few goals quickly taking the result out of our hands and when the siren sounded, Prahran were worthy Premiers.
To our boys, what a terrific season, making the grand final has been an achievement in itself and they can look back on the year as a success. Playing in a Grand Final is special and whilst we didn’t quite get over the line, we only lost 3 games for the season, we won 2 and lost 2 vs. Prahran – the Premiers and we know that on a different day the result could easily have been reversed.
This now gives these group of boys the chance to test themselves in Division 1 U/14 against the best players in the competition and we will need to improve in all areas to make this transition including bringing boys in from other clubs to strengthen our side and the overall makeup of the current Under 13 age group so we have two competitive teams in U/14.
Thanks to Chris (team mgr), Jay & Mark (ass coaches), Gav (P/T runner), Adrian (trainer) & Jonno (stats) for all your help during the year. A special thanks to all the parents who were down each week supporting their boys and watching them making us proud each week and also to all the extended family and club supporters who came along on Sunday to watch the Grand Final, the boys were made to feel very special.
Thx for the year, Jason
Last Modified on 25/02/2014 10:01