Today we welcome the Mulwala Football Netball Club to our sunny shores on a day when we both celebrate and thank all our generous sponsors.
Led by our man about town, Carl Cummins, the committee and members of our coaching staff, have worked extremely hard over the last 3+ months, touching base with as many of our past and potential sponsors, not just to put our hands out but to get a feel for what they expect from the club so as to ensure their continual support. This has resulted in an amazing 93 sponsors ranging from our 3 major supporters in Garnaut Private Client Advisors P/L, The Riverfront and MAC Fire Systems to the numerous weekly award donations and everything in between, which is a fantastic effort from a town with a population of two thousand people.
Your continued support and association with the Bloods is paramount in ensuring our club and our players reach their full potential, so we hope you enjoy our hospitality today and will do our best to put on a good show both on and off the field/court today. Last week's twilight games against our neighbours Finley were played in front of a big crowd, unfortunately did not go as well as we had hoped with only the C Res girls (3 in a row) bringing home the silverware.
Under 14's - With the late start to the game last week due to it being a day/night match, the Under 14 team relished the chance to play on a dry ground. The overall skill level of the Finley team was too hard for the Tocumwal boys to match. The mercy rule was engaged in the last minutes of the 1st quarter. The team showed glimpses of great play, which they should all be proud of. Due to the great numbers in the U/14 side, we again thank the extra players who did the boundary and the water. Without your help we would not be able to play.
Under 17's - Well the saying goes: "Chocolates to boiled lollies". That about sums up our effort last week - by a hard edged Finley team.
We know we are at a development stage but some of us were not prepared to put in the "requirements" that make up a good team. The players by now know what is required to achieve our goals; especially after this week's completed training - We look forward to a more positive outcome than what we displayed against Finley.
The real positives of last week would be the improved form of Colin Shaw, Jesse Bunnett, Brad McCallum, Trae Crowe and Josh Allan.
With Kaleb and Corey up in the senior side last week - shows we are on the right path for the future. Well done to both!
Today we take on another merging force in the thirds - Mulwala. Everyone is looking forward to a solid display today from the whole group. Good luck and enjoy your game!
Reserves - The Toc Magoo's, who didn't look too bad on paper with the inclusions of Dennis "Silky" Sutton and premiership ruckman Kenny Chellew regrettably had late withdrawals of Jossy & Brad Perkins and with Ballsy gone with a hammer after 5 minutes had us under the pump early and unfortunately never really recovered.
A highlight of the day was Nathan Owens, the eldest of the Poynton Boys made the trip from Fish Creek and lined up with his dad, Glen and brother Jordan and showed he can certainly play, being our best player. With Steven & Corey in the Snrs and Troy playing thirds, Glen and his 5 boys with their happy to get in and help attitude have been a fantastic inclusion to our club and we are hoping to see a lot more of Nathan in the future. Sutto turned back the clock with his clever reading of the play and on field leadership against his old club whilst Reece showed glimpses of the form that had the Fitzroy talent scouts knocking at his door.
Robbie "Cannons" Bray in his 50th Reserves game was back to his 'never say die' efforts and stopped many Finley attacks by running straight at the ball. I think Cannons is a great example that you do not have to be a star player to be a great club person and his regular attendance both on the track and club functions has resulted in Cannons cult status - well done big fella and keep up the good work. Daniel Sniffa finally got through a game and finished with a couple of majors being a good target with limited opportunities while Rob Pyle, Crocky, Lukey Fuller and Kenny all tried hard.
Congratulations must also go to our President and all time champion Bob Bourke on his 150th Reserves game for the Bloods. Bob is still pulling on the boots of a Saturday when needed (much to his wife's disgust), he is a great attribute to have on the oval with his encouragement and talk (which can be heard all over the ground). Well done Bob and we hope there is plenty more to come. (Sorry Trace!!)
Seniors - The seniors who have made steady progress over the last 3 weeks again generally had a good crack (apart from a lacklustre 2nd quarter) contesting hard and getting plenty of the ball only to regularly turn it over due to poor delivery or decision making that I'm sure Nathan and his team will have addressed during the week.
The blooding of our Under 17 boys continued with Corey Poynton getting his first call up this year after some good form while Kaleb Spicer who turned 15 a month ago made his senior debut and more than held his own with the adults, winning several contests and showing plenty of natural class. One of those great moments in football occurred when with eyes on the ball he collided heavily with Tank Trotman only to pick himself up and five minutes later spin out of the pack and snap a great goal from 40 out to be then congratulated by every one of his team mates, this is what people go to the footy to see.
Speaking of running into the Tank, Dave Trotman's first senior game with the club was inspirational with a tackle count of 15 plus, his general hardness and enthusiasm lifted his team mates and will certainly have our younger brigade walking a bit taller in his presence. Oh how good would it be to have 10 Dave Trotman's running around each week!! It's great to have you back in the fold Trotty and we look forward to a big year from you.
Congratulations to premiership player Benny "Sniffa/Eeyore" Phelan who played his 100th senior game with his typical gusto and 2nd efforts that often go unseen but result in the ball going our way. Espresso Coffey is getting better every game and with his speed and unassuming marking ability was a shining light while Dave Farrell (O'Dwyer Medal form) gave his all as usual. Others who held their own were Hick, Crawf, Simo, Horey and Mick Madden who finished with 4 of our 5 goals.
