Hi to all Blood's supporters as we welcome the reigning premiers Deni Rams to our home today.
Seniors: The game against Rumba probably sums up where we are situated at the moment - short a couple of key forwards, still needing some fitness but with 21 blokes having an almighty go.
If anyone thought the years of putting his body on the line had slowed David Farrell up, well they'd better think again. Captain Courageous attacked the contest like he did 10 years ago, constantly causing turnovers through his pressure and bringing the younger players around him into the game making him the clear BOG for the day.
Both Choco & Hick Snr continued their great form getting plenty of the pigskin with contrasting styles, Choco is just flat out running to the right spots and just wanting to be involved while Denis on the other hand is cool, calm and collected in the back line constantly making the right decisions and creating attacking plays up the ground. Adrian Hickey also had his best game so far, regularly throwing himself into contest and holding onto some great grabs, whilst Pica having to get out of his sick bed did a more than commendable job to hold former AFL star Ronnie Burns to a couple of goals.
Steve Patten lined up in his first Senior game and showed he has a big future in front of him, more than holding his own and finishing with a goal to his name. Others to have a crack were young Sam Hatty, young Crawf, Benny "The Bulldozer" Phelan, Shannon "Espresso" Coffey and Piggy whilst Horey and Stevie "Wonder" Poynton continue to get better each week. Keep at it fellas and get to training to make the most out of your games.
Reserves: In a similar pattern the Toc Magoo's had as much of the play as the opposition for the day but unfortunately could not get the score on the board. Nathan "Mad Dog" Morton played a blinder, regularly finding space and using his lightening leg speed to be a good link man throughout the game. Other good players were the Toc/Melbourne brigade in Patch, Ollie & Tommy whilst "Fast Eddie" Thomson, The Skin-meister, Lukey Fuller and the 2 Corey's (young Poynts and old Herezo) tried hard all day. The highlight of the day was without a doubt the enthusiasm and passion displayed by team runner, master motivator and major sponsor Chris Garnaut who had the hairs on everyone's back raised through this emotional Allan "Yabby" Jeans address before the game. For the first time in a lot of years there is a genuine belief that a win is not far away and as Chris said, "It's all about believing in ourselves" and it will happen.
Under 14's: Last week the Young Bloods travelled to Rumbalara looking forward to a close tussle. Team numbers were down due to illness and school holidays.
A great team effort by all last week, our small guys never giving up, in particular Drew Eddy who took a hard hit and quickly bounced back to play. Great to see the big guys sharing the ball around, congratulations to Andrew Norgate who played his 50th U/14's game, he kicked a solid goal along with Kaleb Alaimo-Anstee and James Balcombe. Well done boys. The boys fought hard in a close game but fell short in the end.
A big thank you must go out to all our helpers over the Easter break, being our Good Friday match and our work at the Tocumwal Races. Without all of your wonderful help this would not happen, it is a great weekend financially for the club.
Our new club shirts are unfortunately still a couple of weeks away, due to printers going on holidays, so don't panic we endeavour to have them here over the next couple of weeks.
Good luck to all our teams today and we will see you all up at the clubrooms after the game to hear the awards and to have a lovely meal ably cooked by our club chef Natalie.
