We?ve become used to the 50m arc but not often have we endured a ground with a 30m arc! Add to that an uneven surface, lopsided goal posts and a howling gale blowing straight down the ground the day was looking bleak. I won?t even comment on the rooms not large enough to allow all players to sit down, no usable showers and one external toilet. It was not a good start to the day!
Kicking against the wind in the first quarter the young Rovers showed their skills and increasing confidence against a much bigger Prahran outfit. With Pat Ivory in control in the ruck, our backline, while under siege, stood up well and conceded only two goals for the quarter – one with seconds to go. Chris Britton, Richard Atkins, Jess Craig and Rob Johnston repelled many attacks and were linking well with Jackson Naulty, Jack Baxter, and debutee Ned Fallon.
With the game in the balance at quarter time, coach Quon demanded a 5 goal plus second quarter. In fact, we kicked 7 and the game should have been over except that we allowed Prahran to sneak 4 against the wind. It was good to see Tom Youl return to form and some great play from Russ Howe, Matt Innes and Nick Hoban. Ed Turner was warming up in the centre and it was clear we should have taken the game over. At half time a well deserved bake was delivered by the coach, this no doubt spurring the boys into action.
A dominating third quarter where we outscored our opponents 6 goals to 3 against the wind was the sealer. Our team work was tremendous and the drills practiced at training bore fruit as our teamwork, speed and endeavor was too much for our bigger opponents. With multiple goals to Youl and Ed Turner, Mat Innes, Zeke Lewis and Ned Fallon chipping in for singles they capped up the continuing sound play from our defenders and midfielders. Pat Ivory was doing a great job in the ruck and the taps were gobbled up by midfielders who delivered the ball to our forwards accurately.
Quonny will no doubt regret the decision to send Chris Britton into the ruck in the last quarter as that ended quickly when Chris with his characteristic courage and strength charged at ball and opponent. Unfortunately a clash of heads ended up with Chris sustaining a fractured cheekbone. We hope he has a speedy return. This spurred on the team and a 5 to 1 last quarter gave us an easy win on the day. It was pleasing to see our younger players in Jake McMahon, Mick Levy, Nick Jewel, Rick Jones, Ned Fallon and Ben Clarke getting into the play.
Next week is our ?Facebook? event against traditional rivals Bentleigh at
HR 1.3 8.9 14.11 19.13
Prahran 2.4 6.6 9.11 10.12
Best Gould, Atkins, Youl, Turner, Fallon, Ivory
Goals Youl 4, Innes 3, Turner 3, Fallon 3, Lewis 2, Baxter 2, Howe 1, Johnston 1
