A massive game for the Under 16s against Morningside (Pumas v Panthers) with top spots up for grabs. Rewind back to Round 1 and it was Morningside who won that day by 54 points, with a much stronger side in could we turn it around? Could we also follow on from what was a great saturday for our club with a 3 from 3 result by the 18s, Ressies and Seniors up at Noosa ?
We were first cab off the rank in a day of 4 games at home and I think we had a bit of luck weatherwise as we seemed to miss most of the rain, there was a bit pregame but by the time the game started it had stopped (it bucketed down during the first quarter of the next game, our Under 12s). The ground itself was pretty good and there was no real reason either team couldn't use their skills well. We went in with a pretty strong side, we welcomed back Brandon after a lengthy layoff with a broken hand but we lost Jack Rogers with a bout of tonsilitis and that threw our plans out a little. As it turned out it didn't matter too much as they didn't line up exactly how I thought they would anyway.
The first quarter was an even tussle with the Panthers taking a one point advantage into the first break, with just a solitary goal to each team. We seemed a little rusty, the effort was there, but with almost a month off footy we were taking a little bit of time remembering what to do. We turned the footy over a bit but I wasn't too unappy at the break because I could sense they were up for the contest and the teamwork would gradually click back into gear as the boys settled into the game, hopefully the cobwebs were dusted off during the first quarter.
The second quarter was a ripper, despite a 6-2 free kick count against us (10-4 at half time) we kicked 4 goals to 2 to take an even 2 goal lead into the main break. Our team work and work rate was really starting to lift and we were moving the footy into our forward 50 much better than in the first, this gave Jared, Jack and our smaller crumbers in Lachy, Liam etc oportunities and they didn't disappoint. Our defensive half was terrific and were really putting the Morningside forwards under the pump. Dylan Keggan down back laid 4 tackles for the term and exemplified the type of effort and determination that we were starting to show.
If the 2nd quarter was good it was just an appetiser because the 3rd quarter was our best quarter of footy for the year, not just the fact that we kicked 4 goals to zip, that was the result of the pressure we put on our opponents all around the ground. We had an incredible 18 tackles for the quarter! Morningside just got no time and space to move the footy and we capitalised. Liam Eddy led the way again with 7 tackles on his own! we have gone through games when the entire team has had that many for a quarter, We also must have tackled smarter because we started to get rewarded for it (8-6 our way) and that helped deny the opposition easy possession. Everyone lifted and everyone around the ground was contributing, you could see the confidence lifting right through the whoe team.
The 3/4 time huddle was as you would expect full of positives and the message was quite clear that the goal was to carry the good work forward and win the quarter again. Morningside to their credit didn't throw the game away and made us work really hard again but we kept them goalless, whilst adding a couple ourselves to come away with a fantastic 49 point win. The effort again in the last term was tremendous, 16 more tackles for a whopping 56 for the game. Liam 4 more and Ryan and Rhys down back with 3 each were the stars in the pressure department. In the end a great result for us against a very good side and a game whereby when the dust settles at the end of the season we will look back on as one of the best. A super effort by everyone.
Final scores Springwood 11-6-72 def Morningside 3-5-23
Best players, this is really difficult as there were so many but first up I have to mention the work of our 3 leaders, Matt, Jared and Rhys. Matt must have had 25 quality touches through the midfield, Jared was a colossus at chf (on a very, very good opponent) with 4 goals and a hand in a few others and big Rhys was at times impassable (unpassable?) at chb. Speaking of down back how good was our defensive unit? Brighton off half back once again showed that he is the most improved player thus far in 2013 and he and Rhys were ably assisted down there with all of our defenders playing their respective roles magnificently. Ryan and Jayden were not only more than competitive in the ruck contests but won heaps of the footy around the ground and our midfielders, Mitch, Liam and Jack Mackey racked up possessions everywhere. I haven't forgotten you Lachy Willaton! that was easily the best game I have ever seen Lachy play, dangerous up forward, smart with the footy in his hands, great skills and winning the contested ball all over the ground was an awesome effort Lachy. Up forward Jack competed well as always and finished with 3 and Corbin also had his best game for the year by a long way, well done Corbz! As I said before it was a team effort and every single player chipped in and played his role and made his contribution to the result, well done all!
Goalkickers Jared 4, Jack leahy 3, Lachy 2, Matt 1, Brandon 1
So thats it from me for a little while as I head off to the Old Dart for a couple of weeks R and R so I just hope that you boys carry that good form into the next couple of games. Listen to and learn from Damien, he is a very, very good coach and continue to work hard on your games at training and on game day. Park Ridge this week, please don't take them lightly, it is so easy to go into a game like that thinking this will be easy and you undo all of your good work from previous weeks. I will stay in touch via facebook so all the best boys and see you in a couple of weeks,
Oh and before I go congratulations to Team Manager Kristie on her wedding last Friday, I hope you are having a great honeymoon. Thanks to Margaret Page for stepping up and taking over, did an absolutely awesome job not only yesterday but also Saturday at canteen day. Speaking of canteen day thank you to all the volunteers, players and parents, that gave up their precious time on saturday to run the canteen, great effort and a good few extra $ for our trip away via the raffles. Thanks again also to all our fantastic game day helpers, you all know who you are, thanks very much :)
See ya all in a couple of weeks, Go the Pumas!!!!
Last Modified on 15/07/2013 05:11