U12 Match Report _____
Round 7
This week we took on Parkside FC. With both sides on 1 win from 6 games, this was bound to be a cracker.
Once again we started very slowly. We allowed them to score without any pressure. Our tackling efforts were not there and as a result we were punished on the scoreboard. Our aim for the day was to play on at every opportunity with a handball to a running team mate. If we can execute this instruction the opposition won't have time to man up and it could allow us to free up some team mates for easy possession of the ball. In the second qtr we started to see some of these handballs and although they didn't quite come off, I was happy that the boys attempted it.
In the end we fell short by 8 points. Had we played 4qtrs of footy, who knows we may have walked away with the 4pts. Next week we're up against Hawthorn Citizens. Bring your A games boys, I think we may need it.
Captain - Ben McLeod
Goals - Jack, Patrick, jaydin
Awards- Jesse, Max, Ben M
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Round 6
This week saw us away again for the 5th time in 6 weeks. Up against the top side in Ashburton, only our best performance was going to do to get the 4pts. We looked ready for a big effort before the game and I was confident our boys were going to continue on from last weeks memorable effort. Well....not to be. The first quarter was possibly our worst for the year. We were spectating and Ashburton got away to a 5 goal lead.
In the second and third quarters, out came the team I love to coach. We put in a great fight. Some tackles that we laid seriously sent a shiver down my spine, they were hard and bone crushing. We started to play-on with a handball to a running player, we took some great pack marks, and our smothering was superb. Although the scoreboard didn't show it, we out played Ashburton during this period.
The final term saw Ashburton run the game out with a convincing win.
Boys, if we play 4qtrs of football that I know we are capable of, we can match it with the best. If we don't we'll continue to get beaten.
Thank you to the 3 boys from the U/11's who helped us out. Liam, Nick and Jonno, you boys are more then capable, and certainly don't look out of place in the U/12's.
Captain - Tom N
Awards - Matty C, Patrick R and Tom N
Goals - Patrick 1, Dion 1, Nick W 1
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Round 5
This week saw us in a new division and up against reigning premiers from red division, Park Orchards. Prior to the start of the game the boys weren't switched on and my fear was, that they thought going down a division was going to be a walk in the park. A few stern words and some home truths soon got the boys back on track and switched on, ready for a memorable game.
From the very first bounce the boys stuck to our team rules. We had a 3-4 goal breeze in the first quarter and made the most of it. The second quarter things evened up a little but we held the lead. The first time this year.
In the 3rd quarter, the message was simple, go long into the forward line and hold it there until we score. And to a tee, that's exactly what our boys did. Our attack on the ball and the opposition was fierce. So much so that Park Orchards had a number of players come off during that quarter with very sore bodies.
The 4th quarter was going to be the making of our team. Against a fairly stiff breeze we had a 3 goal buffer to protect. Knowing that our chances of scoring was going to be very slim, I put it on our boys to simply protect our lead. When we take a mark, we slow the game down. We use the boundary line at all times. And most importantly we play the game out to the final siren.
Our boys didn't miss a beat, running out winners, the first of the season. The celebration was like no other. It was a special moment for all of us, but in particular for the boys that started this campaign back in November.
As your coach, once again I couldn't be prouder. Today's victory will be etched in my memory for a very very long time.
In all the celebrations and players having to leave immediately after the game, no awards were given.
Captain - Matthew Ciano
Goals - Patrick 3, Jaydin 1
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Round 4
Doncaster Heights 5.2.32 def by Ashburton 14.7.91
The last of the grading games saw us up against Ashburton away. The boys were ready for a big challenge today as Ashburton are one of the tops sides in our division.
Our focus today was on "pressure acts", or as we used to call them 1%ers. Little things that make a massive difference to the outcome of a game. Smothers, tackles, shepherds and chase downs was what I was looking for from our boys. I told the boys that if we reached our target of 10 "pressure acts" per qtr that more than likely we would be in the game with a chance to win.
As usual the boys didn't disappoint in most aspects. Our attack on the ball, our ability to protect our team mate with a shepherd and our smothering was second to none. But for some unknown reason we can't land tackles that will soften the opposition and reduce their shots at goal early in games. As a result Ashburton got away to a good start and we couldn't peg them back.
I've said this every week so far and I'll say it again, our boys have a red hot go until that final siren. With a few minutes to go in the game, with no chance of winning, our boys continued to throw themselves in the contest. Once again a proud coach.
A big thank you to all the parents that are helping with various jobs on a Sunday. Without your help the game doesn't go on.
But I want to make special mention of Glen McLeod. You have the hardest job of all Glen and you're doing it faultlessly. Thanks mate.
Captain - Dion
Goals - Dion 2, Patrick, Tarquin, Jack
Awards - Sandaru, Jack, Jackson
Opposition sportsman award - Dion
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Round 3
Doncaster Heights (5.5.35) def. by Glen Iris (10.4.64)
Our first home game for the season saw us up against Glen Iris. It was a perfect day for footy and I was sure the boys were going to enjoy the conditions.
Our teams focus this week was "acts of inspiration". What were we going to do that will inspire our team to put in a 4qtr effort? Well from the very first bounce I knew our boys meant business. They tackled and smothered and protected their team mates with the ball. Kicking against a 4 or 5 goal breeze, we held them to 3 goals for the qtr.
Not much changed in the 2qtr, our boys gave 100% and went in at half time a few goals down.
With 1 qtr to go there wasn't much more I could ask from our boys, their effort to this point was truly unbelievable. We fought it out to the very last second but fell short in the end. Final scores Donny Heights 5 goals 5 behinds 35 to Glen Iris 10 goals 4 behinds 64. Hand on heart the score did not reflect how our boys played.
Boys, what we lack in "natural" football ability is compensated with a massive HEART. That 'never give up attitude' can not be taught, you either have it or you don't. You boys have it in spades. If we all get to training Tuesdays and Thursdays and practice the skills of footy I promise you that a win or 2 will be on the cards.
Finally, I asked for acts of inspiration at the start of the game hoping to get 1 or 2. I got 4qtrs worth. Boys, I love coaching you, you're a great bunch with many different personalities. You challenge my patience most times but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Next week we take on Ashburton at Burwood reserve at 11.30am. Let's make sure we turn up ready to go.
Captain - Ben Rees
Goal kickers - Jaydin 3, Patrick 2
Awards - Jaydin, Tyson and Michael
Opposition Sportsman award - Ben Rees
Last weeks captain - Tyson Hay
Goal kicker from last week - Matty C
My apologies boys
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Round 2
Doncaster Heights (4.7.31) def. by Beverley Hills (8.4.52)
We ventured out to Doncaster Reserve to take on the arch rivals in Beverley Hills. After a great week on the training track I was expecting a massive turnaround from the previous week’s performance. And that is exactly what we got in the first half. Although the scoreboard didn't show it I believe we out played our opposition. We landed some heavy tackles, played tight in the backline, protected our team mates with some good shepherds, and kicked to space as instructed. The boys were up and about and I was so proud of their efforts.
I'm not sure what was in the cordial at half time because the 3rd qtr was not what we are about. For some reason we were second to the ball, we kicked the ball to packs, couldn't land a tackle and as a consequence we got punished on the scoreboard.
After an out of character outburst by yours truly, the final qtr. once again showed us all that if we stick to instructions we will be a competitive team. Most of this term was spent in our forward half; unfortunately we couldn't convert enough of our opportunities.
Boys, I love your 'never give up' attitude, it makes me so proud to be your coach. We now need to tick off some of the other team rules that we have set and if we do that I promise you the results will go our way.
Thank you to the boys from the U/11's that helped us out, sorry we couldn't give you a little more game time.
Next week we are at home against Glen Iris. Come prepared to play 4qtrs of footy boys.
Goal kickers - Patrick 2, Nick Woodall 1 (U11)
Awards - Mason, Ben R, Patrick
Oppositions Sportsmanship Award - Ben M
PS To Ben Rees and his family, our thoughts are all with you at this time. Ben, I have absolute admiration for you buddy. You had a tough decision to make on Sunday and you decided that you wanted to be with your team mates. You said what you thought were your final words to your grandfather and then came to play footy. Buddy that takes guts. When I saw you walk into the dressing rooms with tears in your eyes before the game my heart sank. Ben, I want you to know that the entire U/12 team is there for you like you were there for us on Sunday. You are an inspiration.
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Round 1
Doncaster Heights (1-0-6) def. by Glen Iris (21.10.136)
After a very impressive practice match against a Gold division team the week before, we were all brought back to earth with a thud in our first hitout for 4pts. Up against a much taller side in Glen Iris, our boys didn't come prepared for a tough battle and it showed in the 1st half. We were second to the ball, we couldn't lay a tackle, our on ballers didn’t push into our backline to support our defenders, and when the ball went into our forward line, the ball got out too easily.
But to our boys credit, mid-way through the 3rd term we started doing the things I expect every week. We landed some great tackles, handballed off to a running team mate, we protected out team mates with a shepherd, playing on at all costs. But most importantly our boys NEVER GAVE UP. As a coach I can't ask for more than that.
The scoreboard is of no interest to me. I know that if EVERY player adheres to our team rules for 100% of the game, the scoreboard will take care of its self, and in most cases WE will be singing our club song.
A massive game coming up against our arch enemy Beverley Hills. If we train well this week, stick to our team rules and turn up on Sunday ready to play, the 4pts are ours.
Goal kicker - Patrick Rodwell
Captain - Michael Carbone
Awards - Dion, Tom and Matt C
