HOWE GOOD – HOW EASY!
This weekend 12 months ago we faced Monash and by quarter time it was clear we were facing a thrashing. One year later and quarter time the scores are level and we had a real contest on our hands. Monash still had the tall timber and with strachnie? with the form on the board they looked threatening.
Our backs looked solid in the first term with Tom Youl continuing his good form, Jess Craig blanketing and the rest of the back six playing team footy. While we were playing well we just couldn?t open up the Monash backline. Mat Innes coming from a picnic last week had tougher opposition and we needed our crumbers to help him out.
The opening of the second quarter with Russ Howe under every pack and doing the hard team things, Max and Robbie on the wings providing the pathway forward it was open to Baxter, Culvenor, Fallon, Johnston, Turner and Innes (2) to bang on 6.6 for the quarter to 1 goal to blow the Uni students out of the game.
Half time had a picnic atmosphere – the grass, the bush backdrop a bit of sunshine – all that was missing was the bottle of red and the barbie! The coach of course interrupted the serenity by impressing on his charges the opportunity they had for a strong win. Precise instructions were given as to how he wanted the game to be played.
In the third term the demolition lifted a notch – 5 goals to zip and the opposition were reduced to a rabble. The pressure exerted by Howe, Naulty, Hoban and big Pat in the midfield gave our forwards plenty of chances. The backs were superb, giving Monash absolutely nothing and you could tell they were gone when their key forward went off – we think it was the effects of the shock of the pressure being applied!
The last quarter could only be described as sweet revenge for last year. We kicked 7 to 1 and the only interest was whether Matt Innes would hold off Ned Fallon in the goal kicking contest. (The coach settled that one by giving Ned a rest for the last part of the quarter). With Brent Stevens and Baxter each chipping in for their second for the day, Cailin Wrigley splitting the pack in a devastating run forward it was all Rovers. By the end the bench was looking a bit sad, Zeke having damaged an ankle, Brendan off with a corky, Pat Ivory just exhausted and even Baxter wanted a break worried that his looks had been further spoiled by a nasty graze! The game ended as it should with Russ standing under the hospital pass and, as he had all day took the ball and the bump.
Scores
HR 3.2 9.8 14.12 21.13 139
Mon 2.3 3.4 3.5 4.6 30
Best: Howe, Turner, Lovig, Naulty, Baxter,Youl, Stevens
Goals: Innes 5, Fallon 4, Turner 3, Culvenor 2, Baxter 2, Stevens 2, Greenway 1, Johnston 1, Lewis 1
V Peninsula Old Boys at Home at 11am
The Old Boys while greatly improved by all accounts from last year should be another opportunity for us to work on the team things that are becoming more evident as the season progresses.
DUTIES
GOAL: CRAIG STEVENS
TIME: ADRIAN MCCARTHY
BOUN: JO NAULTY
INTER: JASON CAVE
SCORE: DAN LEWIS & OTHERS!
As for the last home game we will endeavour to have the bar open after the game for team awards.
We will have a photographer present so would all parents please ensure that they?re there with their pets for the team shot!
SUBS
For the few who haven?t paid please either bring the money to training or pay via the clubs website.
To give you an idea of the importance of subs (and how cheap it is) it costs over $6000 to register the U19s in the VAFA. Simple arithmetic will tell you that 30 odd players by $120.00 leaves us a fair bit short on covering the costs. Its essential that payment is made as soon as possible.
