In footy, whether it's at Senior level or Juniors, at the Elite or the suburban levels, it's not uncommon for a team to have a drop off in performance for a bit during a game. The drop off might just be concentration and it might not last long enough for the opposition to make the most of it ... the best teams don't lose focus or don't lose it for long.
In our last match for season 2016, our Under 13's displayed the dedication, determination and discipline to stick to the plan while maintaining concentration and focus from the first siren to the last !
Kinglake took the points very comfortably when we previously met in Round 7 at "The Hill".
Coming into this, the last home and away round of the season, Kinglake were sitting in the four and obviously feeling excited about playing finals this year.
Our aim was to have our players push up the ground at all times and not leave their opponents unless we had the footy, with a view to "choking" the opposition possessions all the way from the centre line to their forward line. When we did get possession, every kick forward had to count and we had to run like the wind to get the next possession. It was a new lesson to learn in the last half hour before the game start. Sometimes risky doing this with Junior teams, sometimes risky with Senior teams too I might add, but this group has been so receptive to guidance all year, that it was definitely worth a try.
After all, at Panton Hill, we have to beat Kinglake don't we ?!
We'd been able to do it against West Preston-Lakeside but didn't get the win so I felt comfortable we should give it a go.
Right from the first bounce, the skilled Kinglake side wondered what hit 'em !
We stifled every attempt they made for the footy ... Jays long kicks forward after bumping an opponent off the ball, Candice bumping, tackling, smothering, second and third efforts ... Monique was in everything and the speed at which she got the ball from hand to foot bamboozled the Lakers in the heavy wet conditions. The leadership shown by Morgan up forward kept our team pushing up the ground while he was unbeaten whenever he was around the ball ... Oscar stuck to the rules and always kicked the ball wide and long from full back each time to our advantage. If you were there just to watch an individual contest, then the best show of the day was put on by the two opposition rucks .. our Elee and Kinglakes "Jammo" ... was so good to watch, Elee won the day and was subsequently awarded Kinglakes opposition best player medal. There was also a wet weather kicking Masterclass put on by Steve, Jet and Jack Marasco which gave us that long, forward ball delivery we asked for. Mobile talls, Grayson and Wade provided the strength we needed in the clinches freeing their arms in a tackle and never giving up the footy. Our game was full of the cliche "one-percenters" ... Khody, feeling the cold all day, would still put a bump on when it was needed, would niggle his opponent out of the game and continually talk to his teammates despite his shivering ! JP attacks the footy every week but in this game, it meant more to us because of the heavy conditions. His desperate goal saving tackles and lunges to grab the ball deep in the backline, were significant contributions to our win. Connor has a presence in most games but seemed to revel in the conditions because this game was played in a constant contest ... the tackle King is Connor. Harry was a great outlet for us on the wing and able to get to the ball before the opposition closed in and then he held on to it until help arrived ... smart play !
Cameron took overhead marks on a day when overhead marks aren't possible and impacted every contest to give us the advantage. Watto suffered a foot injury last round and rested at training during the week ... still a bit sore for this game, he overcame everything to become a real danger to Kinglake up forward throwing himself into the contest at every opportunity. Poor old Byron woke up Sunday morning feeling pretty crook but, such is the bond within this group, he insisted on being at the game to support his teammates ... bitterly cold and up the hill to a muddy Kinglake oval, he was so glad he came and so were his teammates.
Finally, Evelyn has increased her contribution to this side every single week, both at training and in games. Having never played footy before, she now attacks the footy and isn't phased getting into a contest.
At the final siren, she provided me with a reminder of the reason we do this ... Evelyn had THE BIGGEST smile on her face, knowing full well the effort the team put in and of course the deserving result.
The enjoyment of playing a great game as a team with your mates is priceless and Evelyn's smile was representative of the whole teams feeling.
What you may not know is ... We knocked Kingkake OUT OF THE FINALS !!!
Gary and I believe this game and the win at Kinglake was among the best of any we've each been involved in over many years of Junior and Senior football.
What makes it so good is that this squad has not once had any individuals ... our players "kick to the jumper, not who's in the in the jumper" ... A wonderful finish to 2016 and it should hold us in good stead for the 2017 season. There is a sad side though ... 2017 will have some of this team moving on with the girls looking forward to joining a new women squad and the age group contraints taking effect.
However, and forever, we'll all know who was in our team the day we beat Kinglake in the last round of season 2016.
We will have a pre-season program prepared this time around that will commence BEFORE Christmas and we will be looking for some new players as well.
If you know of anyone currently playing or new to the game, invite them to join us and become part of our special club.
Well done HILLERS !!!
Last Modified on 01/08/2016 13:52