A damp windy day greeted Ressies squad of 25 on arrival down at Gosford for the first game of 2011. The run on team seemed like a bit of a ‘foreign legion’ including;-
- 4 players in their first ever AFL game being Beau McCosker, Josh Ford, Jarrod Morrell and Jordan Stead, all of whom played well, getting used to the bumps and hits along the way!
- 6 coming from other AFL clubs around the country running on in City colours for the first time being Aaron Dalton, Chris Geniola, John Parker, Anthony Price and Brenton Weir.
- 2 of last year’s U18’s into the team being Dillon Calman and Sammy Ross.
- 3 returning to City from playing a few years ago being Riley Clement, Ben Konetschnik and Sam Payne
We also had our 2 emergencies running the water, with new to AFL (and our 2011 gun Irish recruit) Neill Munroe and another of last year’s U18s Kyle Hamilton.
So the look of the City Reserve Grade team for the first game of 2011 was vastly different from 2010. Given we couldn’t put name tags on everyone’s brand new footy jumpers (with our new sponsor, The Albion Hotel’ logo looming large on their backs), the guys took a bit of getting used to everything. This was reflected in the way we played.
The opposition won the toss electing to go with the stiff southerly wind, jumping to a 4-2 26 to 1-3 9 lead at the first break. Play was a bit erratic from City but started to click a bit in the second term, helped by the strengthening wind. At the long break we were down 4 points (6-2 38 to 5-4 34). With time helping the guys settle into the footy, we held them to 2-3 to our 1-3 into the wind in the 3rd quarter, down 10 points at the final break 8-5 53 to 6-7 43. The breeze did die down a bit in the final term but with the training drills and the general footy ‘touch’ helping the new look City Ressies side, the boys had their best quarter booting 5-2 to the Tiger’s 2-1 in the last term to run out winners, 11-9 75 to 10-6 66. As well deserved 9 point win considering all the new fellas as well as the first time we have kicked at a set of goals this year!
Goal kickers - 2 each to Brendon McMahon, Aaron Dalton, John Parker and Travis Walls with singles to George Armagos, Dillon Calman and Beau McCosker.
Players player votes went to 8 different players being (in no order) Ben Konetchnik, Mitch Niland, Martin Dinneen, Aaron Dalton, Tim Sullivan, Anthony Price, George Armagos and Dillon Calman. Good news is no-one voted for themselves!!!
Injuries – only reported one being to Aaron Dalton with a good thump to the jaw. But a lot of sore feet from new boots, bumps and bruisers but nothing serious overall.
Our next hit-out next Saturday 9/4 will be against Terrigal Avoca at Hylton Moore Oval, Althorp st East Gosford at 12 noon.
Deedy and Stumpy.
Last Modified on 11/08/2012 12:49