Senior Update
With only two wins on the board sitting in sixth position is a bit of a bonus. Kew and Ormond have taken all before them, Old Geelong look pretty well organised the remainder including the Friars seem pretty evenly matched although Yarra Valley are desperate to get some points on the board. Effort has not been in question in any of the games so far, however a smarter and more consistent approach over the entire game will iron out a few bugs.
Despite the results the team is playing some very good football throughout games. I am very confident our consistency will improve through the year and beyond as our young players grow and mature.
We have been poleaxed with injuries during some games which has limited our choices, by the same token it has also affected some of our opponents. It was enjoyable to have four players on the bench when the final siren sounded last week.
I should also acknowledge the number of players who have made their senior debut in the first six rounds. The following lads are all graduates from the Under 19s Glenn Ibbott, Toby McGurgan, Matt Gasowski, Tim Petts, Dan Nilsson, Ryan Malt and Jason Spencer. Ryan and Jason are still Under 19. Along with those boys Toby Deylen, Mark Richards and Darcy Spence who have come across from Blackburn and Pete Siorovingas have also featured for the seniors.
Game by Game.
Ormond – A blazing start was wasted when Ormond levelled the scores by half time. They proved a tough uncompromising opponent keen to atone for their relegation from Premier C and dominated the second half.
Bulleen Temp – A critical game for the Friars and the boys attacked the game with the appropriate gusto. Aaron Brosolo ruled the skies and finished with 3 goals from a number of opportunities. The Bullants made it tight during the third quarter, but the Friar midfield took over to run away with the victory.
Old Geelong – Always a well organised unit that proved to be decisive in a pretty even contest. Their set ups were able to generate enough scores to make the difference through the game before breaking away late in the game.
NOBS/St Pats – The trip to Brunswick has never been a favoured one going way back to a finals defeat to Thomastown at the ground in year one! This was a tight tussle until early in the third quarter when Aaron Brosolo went down with what appeared to be a very serious leg injury. NOBS got back to the footy a bit quicker, their experience and bigger bodies held sway. The score line flattered them as there were plenty of goals kicked in junk time, but our lads still need to deal with that and learn to limit the damage.
St Mary’s – This is a tale of woe. The Friars were dominant for the first three quarters extending the lead beyond six goals early in the last quarter, which should not be forgotten. However St Mary’s pushed, ran and chanced their arm kicking the last eight goals of the game to snatch the points from us. As a coach it has provided plenty of learnings!
Yarra Valley – The local derby was a critical game for us, especially after the Bushrangers got us twice last year. The small Leeds St oval had hosted goal feasts all season and this was no different, despite the Friars belting seven goals in the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarters plus five in the 3rd we still conceded 14. 40 goals for the day! Contributions were even across the ground with the forwards to the fore in Nitas, Malt and Hickey.
This week we face the undefeated Kew, which will be a terrific test for our lads against another well-drilled opponent.
Go Friars,
Bakes
Reserves Update
Recruited in late in preseason to bolster the coaching ranks, it was a pleasure to return to the hallowed turf of the Friars. I have been over whelmed by my welcome from all the players, coaches and helpers around the club.
The reserves have had a mixed bag of a season so far with two great wins. We out ran Bulleen Temp and had a fantastic come from behind win over the Oggers in the wet.
But the injury plague has left the reserves struggling to make a team at times and this is illustrated in some of our poor showings on the field. I’d like to thank all the last minute call ups who have allowed us to make a team.
The highlights for me have been the great commitment shown by all players and when we have been good - we have been very good, with quick ball movement and aggression at the ball.
The sparkling form of Vito Midolo on the wing has been a pleasure to watch and Dinhy has been great when available. Down back, Henny and Fonz have been consistently good, as with Crowey on the forward line. Also the support from the team leaders is fantastic, good work to Nick Dip and the Cardamone’s.
Hoping the player stocks will start to improve and the reserves can have a solid crack at the second half of the season.
Peter Harrison
Reserves Coach
Under 19 Update
After 6 games, our boys sit 2nd on the ladder with a win loss ratio of 4 to 2.
The competition is a real mixture and opposition sides can put up very different results from one week to the next due to rotations, injuries or players in seniors. Our 2 losses were both winnable games which is frustrating but we are playing good footy for significant parts of the game and if we continue to play 4 quarters we will be very competitive in Division 2. Parkdale have a 2 game break on the competition and are at this stage the team to beat – but as we all know footy is a funny game.
Most importantly after the loss from the weekend we get the chance to redeem ourselves against the local rival Marcellin.
Go Friars
Dave Kelsey
Under 19 Coach
Last Modified on 22/05/2015 07:54