Big crowd turned out for The Mitcham V Ringwood clash at the MCG of the East this week. The day didn’t start that well for the tigers with the Under19s and Reserves both going down before the seniors turned it on kicking 25 goals to run out big winners
Under 19s never really got going as East Burwood’s bigger bodies and experience had Mitcham On the back foot with only single goal kickers; Horsey, Richardson, Terure, Messenger, Moore and Giles were all named in the best.
Reserves after holding sway in the first half were kept goal less in the second to cough up a 10 point half time lead. Marro with 4 first half goals was the leading scorer while Elms, Ward, Van Horik, Drysdale and Ferlazzo were all named in the best.
Seniors put in a solid 4 quarter performance running out comfortable winners for the Greg Pimm memorial shield in the first time the two clubs have played since 2015. J Parente 6, and Smyth 5 were the major goal kickers and both named in the best along with Matty Gordon, West, Glossop, and McCubbin. Congratulations also to 18 year old Mitcham Junior Tommy Stingell on his senior Debut - Mitcham 25.8 -158 def. Ringwood 16.7 -103
On the 30th year anniversary of Greg Pimm’s passing whilst playing football for Mitcham v Ringwood @ Ringwood. A large crowd at the after match awards were given a great insight by our current under 19 coach Mark Brindley who played as a 19 year old on that fatal day back in 1989 of the effect on the club and legacy it has created. BIG shout out to the Ringwood Football Club for turning out in great numbers and Respect shown.
The Mitcham Football Club wishes everyone a safe and happy Easter as we head into the break with a 2 nil win / loss and we look forward to another BIG turn out against Heathmont Anzac round Saturday 27th of April
Under 19s Coaches Report
Unfortunately our day didn’t start well as we never really got going or perhaps East Burwood never allowed us to get going. However given it’s a Round 2 loss we will take quite a few learnings from yesterday and not dwell on our loss. In many ways the game yesterday was reality check for us all.
With many new players into our team, and really only our 3rd game together we are a work in progress. Whilst many of us were hunting the football we allowed a very smart team to transition the footy around the ground far too easily. Our lack of pressure in the first half made them look quick, however our reaction time probably assisted with that. To our boy’s credit, after being challenged at half time they responded, and although the score board did not reflect it, we rallied in the second half to show that we do have the ability to 50/50 a contest and create opportunities. We will take something out of yesterday and make sure we all think about the things we need to do a little bit better next time. We will need to be a lot better next game against Heathmont.
Best Players: Horsey, Richardson, Terure, Messenger, Moore, Giles and Prout.
On behalf of the Under 19’s and their families, I would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Easter.
Mark Brindley Under 19s Coach
Reserves Coaches Report
Important day for the club where we reflect and remember a legend of our Club in Greg Pimm, thanks to Q for coming down to speak with the boys about the Greg Pimm Shield before the game. Our day didn’t go to plan unfortunately as it was a tale of two halves, going in to the main break 10 pts up and playing well we stuck true to or plan with our pressure being terrific, really should’ve been more infront than we were, to Ringwoods credit they came out and kicked two quick ones and never looked back as we struggled to match their intensity, with too many basic skill errors also that really cost us dearly. Our best was Zach Elms in the ruck he dominated all day, Lou Marro kicked 4 and first gamer Frosty was solid along with our skipper Tsolos. Extremely disappointing loss especially after the first half, it’s now up to us to turn it around and I have confidence in our group to do just that against Heathmont.
Steve Jordan Reserves Coach
Senior Coaches Report
This week we played our first home game against Ringwood who went through the season undefeated last year only to get beaten in the grand final. In what is always a huge occasion we played for the Pimm cup in honour of Greg Pimm who tragically lost his life on the football field representing the Mitcham football club.
A heartfelt pre game speech from former captain James Quilty giving an insight to the current playing group as to how important the day was for the club set the tone for the afternoon. We started well applying pressure and moving the football well and skipped out to a 14 point lead. The 2nd quarter was our best quarter of footy for the season as we ramped up the pressure and our forwards looked really dangerous one on one as we piled on 7 goals to 2 and held a 43 point lead at half time. Ringwood came out hard at the start of the 3rd quarter but we were able to absorb their pressure and extend the lead to 69 points at ¾ time. The last quarter was disappointing as we conceded 7 goals and the final margin was reduced to 55 points. All in all a really good effort and a great start to season, but we have plenty of hard work ahead of us. Jake Parente and Jesse Smythe were dangerous all day up forward kicking 6 and 5 goals respectively and Matt Gordon was super up forward and in the ruck.
Thanks to everyone who came out to support us in our 1st home game of 2019, we hope to see you again after Easter when we host Heathmont.
Neil Winterton Senior Coach