Hi to everyone out there,
as the heading above states, our U18s were successful on the weekend, taking out the Division 1 flag, in an absolutely brilliant football match against Healesville. They have become Back to Back champoins across Division 2 (2009) and Division 1 (2010), an outstanding accomplishment !
Woori Yallock Reserve was in very good condition for this matchup. Our boys had a great warmup, they were extremely calm pre game and looked like a very focused group. As with all matches, getting off to a good start is absolutely paramount and this is what we did. Luke Hill gave plenty of drive in the ruck from the opening bounce. Callum Eade and Harry Cole were in the thick of the action at ground level, all players around the square were important as they ran hard early. Up forward, the dual focal points of Blakey Walter and Josh Wallis caused many problems whilst our defence was on top early. By halfway through the 1st term, we had established an early 2-3 goal lead and had clearly settled in much quicker. Healesville began to work themselves back into the match late in the Qtr, applying some great pressure which we didn't respond well to. Suddenly, we went in a goal behind and the contest was now in earnest. The 2nd term began with some great end to end movement by both teams. We had taken a slight lead when a nasty incident took place on the outer wing. Luke Van Lierop came down from a marking contest and his head made huge contact with team mate Brayden Shaws knee. He was certainly not in great shape for a period and credit must go to Rachelle Credlin (Head Trainer) for the way she handled the situation and got Luke organised to get to hospital. Awesome job Rach ! This seemed to sting the boys into action, seeing a great mate go down like that. They slammed on 4 unanswered goals to take a 9.2 to 5.3 lead at halftime. Healesville came home with a rush against us the 2nd Semi two weeks ago, and smashed Upwey in the 2nd half last week, so our boys knew that they wouldn't go away (and they didn't)
The 3rd term started well, we certainly had enough of the ball but were wasting opportunities around the ground. Some our decisions started to go against the way we would normally go, and each time we did this, Healesville would capitalise and make us pay on the scoreboard. Our defence was put under some enormous pressure, and considering how much time the ball ended up inside Healesvilles 50, it was a massive effort to limit them to the score they finished at. Cooling, Shaw, Owen, Tatlock, Doyle and Dixon were our little band of soldiers who stuck at the task during this period. They still had a huge part to play in the end as well.
B Walt up forward was proving to be the difference. His marking, particularly being double teamed at times exceptional. We took a 10.2 to 8.5 lead, a difference of only 9 pts. Twenty minutes to put it all on the line !The Final Qtr for 2010 started at a frantic pace. Both sides absolutely giving all they had. We got the first goal to get a good buffer back. Our defence continued to be resolute, we ran hard through the middle but our ball use still let us down on occasions. Dec Fitzgerald threatened to rip the game apart with some continued attacking play. His ability to side step in traffic and open up the field was magic to watch. In Grand Finals, there are always pivotal moments when either right (or wrong) decisions are made, or individual efforts just inspire the team. The first of these came over halfway through the term. Brin Owen, all 5 foot of him, jumped in front of an oncoming pack about 25mtrs out from Healesvilles goal to earn a free kick, which I'm sure would've otherwise been an opposition mark and shot at goal. At this point, Healesville were really coming at us hard and it just stopped them for a minute. The ball was swept away to be eventually marked by Luke Hill on the 50mtr line at the other end. I think most would've thought when he was lining up from that distance that he was kidding himself, considering he would be kicking from 55. The ball went through at goal post height and the goal umpire didn't move a muscle as it sailed straight over the top of his hat. Unbelievable ! Where we home ? Not by a long shot. Again Healesville responded as they had done all day and suddenly with 5 minutes to go, the difference was 5pts. Mitchy Meadows, who'd been great all day, layed what I thought, was a match winning tackle, when he brought down an opponent about 30mtrs out directly in front. To this day, I'll never know how it was given holding the man, but thats another story. Now I've got to say in all honesty, as I was running out on the ground doing the water, I never at any stage detected any panic amongst our guys. Maybe they didn't realise it was only 5pts ? Sixty seconds to go, 5 points the margin and the balls swept away from our grasp and is being rushed onto Healesvilles 50mtr line on the outer side, somehow Alex Dixon has ended up outnumbered 2 on 1. If Healesville mark, the ball will be kicked deep inside 50 and who knows ? "Dicko" just somehow managed to extract something out of himself to get to that contest and make a spoil. He was able to fight for the ball, hold it up until the cavalry arrived. We took the ball down the other end in a flash where B Walt again clunked another mark, and went back calmly to slot his 7th for the day. The siren followed immediately for us to record a 13.2.80 to 10.9.69 victory. Woo Hoo For the winners, as mentioned previously, Blakey Walter finished with a match winning 7 goals. Tommy Stalder and Harry Cole finished with 2 each. Singles to Dec Fitzgerald and Luke Hill (that bomb) Lukey Hill was awarded BOG honours, I'm sure very closely followed in the voting by B Walt. Mitch Meadows, Brin Owen, Josh Wallis and Harry Cole were listed amongst the best.
Our congratulations go to Andy Greenall (coach) and to all players and support staff. Not just for 2010 but for the last 2-3 years. Our U18s have been extremely consistant and to win Back to Back Premierships across two Divisions in a wonderful achievement. Well done to all ! With many of these boys, now having played in 4 premierships in a row (U16s - 2007/08), we look forward to watching their progress as they now start to enter senior football. For those of you who were wondering, Luke Van Lierop did end up down at Maroondah Hosptial for observation but was released and did get back to the rooms to celebrate (quietly) with his mates. That scar over his eye I'm sure will end up being a proud little battle scar in years to come.
This Friday we have the 2010 Presentation Night at Marybrooke. We are looking for 7pm arrivals. It $20 for the night and if you wish to get there early and have a meal, please email the club at ofc@earthlink.com.au so we can book you in. Having an early meal will mean you get entry to Pres Night for half price. The 1st 12 Rounds of all grades vote counts were held at the rooms on Sunday night, the remaining 6 Rounds will be held on the night. It promises to be an exciting night. Don't miss it !!
Hope you enjoyed the read, I'll have one more review out next week to cover Presentation Night (and hopefully a Pies Flag)
Go Those Mighty Blooders