After a long pre-season the weather and location couldn't have been more ideal to open up the 2015 campaign.
There was a bit of the unknown leading into the first game of the season against Willy, in what was going to be a big day for their Club after winning the flag and promotion in the Seniors in 2014.
I had plenty of pre-game nerves in what was my first competitive hit out as coach, but couldn't have been happier and more impressed with the preparation put in by all players during pre-season. We were confident in our ability and game plan, but more so, we were confident that we had such an impressive group of men and friends assembled, that if nothing else, we'd battled hard and competitively.
The first quarter started very positively and we moved the ball seamlessly in transition in what could have potentially been a tricky sized ground for this style of play. But with such skill and experience down back in Tom Black and Ari Loucas and the old one-two combination in the middle with Daniel Redmond and Stu Kemp, we hit the scoreboard early and took control of the game from the outset.
Rob Di Roberto and Sam Mackie looked very likely up forward in their first over-age matches for the Club and Josh Edwards and John Dimattina continued their excellent pre-season form into the real stuff.
The second quarter saw a drop off in intensity and pressure and we allowed Williamstown more time on the ball which enabled them to get their style of play flowing. But the back line stood resolute and allowed no easy marks or goals.
We headed into the half time break with a solid lead in an overall impressive first half for the new season.
The second half started in similar fashion, although without the absolute dominance showed in the opening quarter, but with impressive work rate and run from behind from all, control was still had over play, we just couldn't impact the scoreboard as much as our dominance deserved.
James Baxter, patrolling the half back line, came into the game more in the third quarter and formed a strong barrier, repelling many Williamstown attacks. Pat Lunn's attacking run from defence and linking with Adrian Coburn proved a good combination and Nick Watty looked dangerous up forward.
The final quarter saw a slightly stronger breeze drift down the Williamstown end of the ground and we looked like we were running uphill. The intensity fell right away and we looked to lose concentration far too easily, Williamstown were able to work the ball forward effortlessly to string multiple goals unanswered. But our first half proved too strong for their late rally.
A four-quarter effort is a non-negotiable next week against a much more tried and tested C Grade counterpart for our first home game for the season.
We don't lose at the Nest.
Final score: Marcellin: 14-11-95 def Williamstown CYMS: 9-13-67
Goal Kickers: S.Mackie 3, R.DiRoberto 3, M.Gough 2, N.Watty 2, S.Kemp 2, T.Blanch, J.Baxter
Best Players: T.Black, R.Di Roberto, D.Redmond, S.Kemp , S.Mackie, J.Dimattina
Daniel Fraser
Reserves Coach
Last Modified on 14/04/2015 17:34