After a muddy training last Thursday, I’d just got the boots back to clean and dry condition, when one look at the Maiden Gully ground on Saturday told me I’d wasted my time. There was still grass on it, but it was heavy going. Ground balls splashed and had to be dug out and shaken to clear the mud. Late season games are often like that. At least it never rained.
Chadstone took the field with 14 and Bendigo with 13. The first quarter was fairly even and both sides were able to score, however, Chadstone had generally superior stick work and ball movement and kept possession well (and the ball out of the mud). They were well organised in man-up attack and even had colour codes for their set plays. Bendigo were able to control the play fairly well and a nice goal was scored after Mike Bell passed to John Webb who snapped it back to Mike as he cut in to shoot and score. Another goal was scored by Ian Lock who dodged a defender and let one rip. Mark Reader took the ball from defence and drove at goal with Chadstone players bouncing off him to take the score to 4 to 3 at quarter time, Chadstone’s way.
For the rest of the game Bendigo did not score. The Warhawks tended to rush in attack and passing errors (many of them my own!) let them down, though there were quite a few good build-ups and shots. In the heavy conditions, the younger Chadstone side was able to keep running. They were able to win the ball out of the centre and take it quickly into attack and once there, possess the ball for much longer. However, the Warhawk defence frustrated them many times and they were held to six goals for the remaining three quarters to give them victory 10-3.
Votes went to Mark Reader (2 Association and 3 Club) for his usual tenacity in defence; Gino Iuliano was awarded 2 club votes for another great show in goals and Mike Bell, in his 50th game for Bendigo (congratulations Mike!!!) AND on his birthday (congratulations again!), got a club vote for his usual intimidating presence and endeavour all over the ground. I should also mention that our newer players are coming along in leaps and bounds with Matt Muir, Steve Everton and Vince Fitzpatrick handling being thrown in the deep end (literally, this week) admirably. Well done lads.
I should also thank Tim Davies for scoring for us for the day and Roy Preece for refereeing for us again. Remember that someone reffing for us effectively buys us an extra player and it can be a difficult and thankless task job if tempers boil over (as they did on Saturday). Thanks Roy.
Anyhow, we get a break next week for a bye, then a toughy against Footscray and a winnable one against Altona to finish the season. Let’s all get to training after the break and make a show of it.
I can tell you that as an older player, it can be maddening to have failing eyesight, muscle tone, reflexes and courage all conspire against you in a game. I dropped so many passes and lost the ball way too easily and it’s very tempting to wonder if I should give the game away. However, the loving support of my kids through their encouraging remarks sustains me through this difficult time. Let me recount for you. My son Angus and I drove back to Lancefield after this week’s game and I was kicking myself for skill errors, slowness and a general deficiency on the field that day. I said, “I reckon that’s about the worst three quarters I’ve ever played’, and Angus said, “No, I’ve definitely seen you play worse than that”. Bless.
John Webb, senior player.
Last Modified on 01/08/2016 15:25