Rebel Yell – Round Three
By Ryan Hobbs
A bruised and closed-up eye was a sore reminder of our previous weeks encounter with the Geelong Falcons. However, there was no time for pity as we prepared ourselves to battle with the also winless Eastern Ranges. On a positive note Tuesday night we welcomed back our St Patrick’s College (SPC) boys after they returned from their international rules tour to Ireland suffering jetlag from a huge 21 hour plane trip. Goal kicking practice and added emphasis on having pride in our disposal was a feature during training as it has harshly been affecting our team’s recent performances.
It was a tough week for our team selectors as a huge eight changes were made to our team line up, many quality players were left somewhat disappointed as they were forced to stand aside for returning team-mates. Nonetheless, it is a long season and I’m sure that all the fellas will be given plenty of opportunity to prove their worthiness and retain their spot in what is proving to be an increasingly promising side.
In high spirits after ‘knocking off’ work early on Friday I headed to the club for a massage, whilst there I took the chance to pull on the boots and have a few practice shots at goal. Only to my amazement that nobody but the greatest goal kicker of all time, Tony Lockett, had just strolled over to us! With the big ‘Plugger’ standing behind me with his arms crossed, I instantly felt centimetres shorter as I lined up for goal. Luckily I was able to shoot it through the big sticks.
On game day, a wet and cold Sunday, we welcomed the Eastern Ranges to our home turf to play as a VFL curtain raiser where the Tasmanian Devils were due to take on the mighty Roosters. Dusting the cobwebs off the screw-in boots and a change of mindset to the wet weather style of play was an aspect of our pre-game preparation. The coaches assured us that accountability, solid attack on the footy and the application of early scoreboard pressure was the key to prevailing. We knew that this was a must win game and accordingly we treated this game as though it was a final. Team disciplines forced star backman James ‘Dela’ Delahunty to start the game ‘on the pine.’ Though barely five minutes had passed before he was on and torturing his opponent by wearing him like a glove, consequently amassing a sensational 13 spoils for the game. Dela’s housemate Clayton ‘Mad Dog’ Hinkley was dynamite in the midfield tallying an impressive 39 disposals in his best on ground performance.
The game was very much up for grabs for both teams at half time with the Ranges leading by just two points. Moving big man Josh ‘Caldo’ Caldow from defence to full forward proved to be a masterstroke of coach Chris Maple as he made an immediate impact by taking some great marks and booting two goals to inspire the team as we went into the final break with a healthy three goal lead. Able to hold off a determined Ranges outfit in the last term, we ran out as 19 point victors. Relief and excitement filled the rooms as we belted out our club song for our soon to be repeated celebration.
This week we take on the in-form Calder Cannons, so get on board as your support is greatly appreciated.
Hope to see you there! Cheers.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 16:17