Welcome back to all Bloods supporters, I hope everyone enjoyed the week off, are refreshed and ready to rock and roll as we head upstream to our neighbours Barooga for what will hopefully be a good day out for all.
Under 14's: It was yet another busy day for the back line players of the team. The quickness of the opposition was evident from the start. The mercy rule came in the 2nd quarter, again providing opportunities for players to be swapped into new positions. The runner was certainly kept busy with messages that could have only been - keep with your player and create options. Their usual spark and enthusiasm was missing this week. Let's look to a well earnt break and back into it in a couple of weeks.
Under 17's: With our opponents jumping out of the blocks - 5 goals to zip - it was always going to be a struggle to keep up. However - not to be outdone - it pleases us to see how our team leaders responded to the challenge of lifting our teams stocks. With all players across the ground contributing we found ourselves right back in the game at half time. What happened next? A very questionable decision was given - saw one of our play makers sent off for 15 minutes. This proved a deciding factor to the end result of a very clean game. To all our players' credit - we put this behind us and endeavoured to control the match. Mulwala kept coming and we just didn't have the manpower to go the distance.
We will learn a lot from this effort. With overall performances from Rhys Morham, Josh Groves, Stevo Patten, Jack Podesta and the ever reliable "spiritual" leader in "Gordo" - we gave it a crack. Great pressure goal from "Chucka" on the 3/4 time siren and "speccy goal" on the run from "Stevo" on the boundary - shows we can display our skills. We look forward to having a crack at one of our close rivals in the Barooga club today. Good luck to all and enjoy your game.
NOTE: We hope all home and away umpires perform to the "Spirit of the Game!"
Reserves: The Toc Magoo's who had been starting to gather some momentum the last couple of weeks were unfortunately struck down by some injuries and unavailability's although still had enough for a full team which is terrific. While comprehensively beaten on the scoreboard there were some terrific passages of play and again the general feeling is the boys out there are enjoying their footy. If ever you wanted an example of the importance of training, after a full week on the track Jossy has come out of the wilderness and put his hand up for senior selection showing the class we all know he possesses with some strong marking and precision footwork to be our best. Mr Consistency Lukey Fuller worked hard all day as did Glyn Matters & Reece, while Daniel Sniffa is getting stronger every week he survives a whole game. Troy Lawrence also showed he can play the game and put his body on the line on many occasions.
Seniors: With a teffific turn up to our Sponsors Day there was an air of optimism as the senior boys busted out of the blocks kicking 3 of the first 4 goals through some direct play and polished skills that had the Bloods faithful twitching with anticipation and demonstrating what the boys are capable of whhen switched on. Unfortunately that's where it ended as a well drilled Mul unit stepped it up a gear and went on to take the game out quite comfortably.
Benny "Eeyore" Phelan after being out of the game for a year and carrying a couple of injuries in his first few games was back to his best with his pig dog attack on the ball and inspiring his team mates with his hardness and ability to get out of a tight situation.
Dave Farrell is in as good a form as Black Caviar with another lead by example game. We say it week in and week out but Dave has taken it to another level with both his on and off field leadership this year and is reaping the rewards due to how he is going about his business.
Skinny McCormack was thrown from the fry pan into the fire and handled it in his usual never say die approach, claiming several strong grabs and working his bum off all day while Slippery Simo, big Adrian Hickey and the Haynes twins in Trav & Jord all tried hard against the odds.
