Match Report - u11 Blacks vs East Sandy "1"

There is no education like adversity.  ~Disraeli

The StKilda City under 11 blacks found themselves wearing the away white in the bad lands of Moorabbin up against the top team East

Sandringham Zebras. The day was sunny and mild but blowing a gale favouring the Southern End of the large ground.

What a challenge!  We lost the toss for the first quarter and started what could have been a dirty day kicking into a massive wind.  We started well and applied pressure for the whole quarter and managed to restrict the scoring as the ball was in the defensive half for most of the quarter. Skipper Joel “Croc” helped himself to many possessions as the ferocity of the Saints tackling went up a cog. Elliot played his best quarter for the season with 5 kicks, Zach went on a couple of trademark runs, Hugo and Oscar presented as marking targets and Dylan managed to clear a couple of times. Max and Curtis slid into the packs and handballed out and we made 13 effective tackles for the quarter (a record).  During the break  Coach Mick acknowledged the way that the team  played down the defensive side as he had instructed. Our defence led by Adam “cool hand” Oulton was magnificent.  A late point on the siren saw the Zebras go into quarter time shell shocked and leading by a point after having the advantage of a six goal gale. 

In the second quarter it was our turn to attack with the wind and Connor inspired all with a huge leap and a magnificent “speckie”. Declan cleared attacks three times with big kicks and Cody was on fire along the grandstand wing. Curtis and Cody (showing off his running ability)  were in everything like a pretentious recipe on Masterchef.  Will, Adam and Elliot continued to get possessions. Eventually the Zebras scored a goal against the run of play through quick ball movement. After another great tap from Mac, great battling from Cameron and Marco then Samuel and Joel combined to get the ball to the forward pocket and Dylan managed to keep the ball in play and kick it to Connor who snapped a great goal. At Half Time the scores were level 1.1.7 (9 tackles). Oscar showed the battle scars with bloodied knees but he got cleaned up and was keen to go again.

At Half time the boys were asked to continue to step up and show that they could compete with the best team all contributing and by bumping and crashing packs on a tough day.

In the third quarter we held on early with Hugo kicking out well after a series of behinds and Adam, Mac and Connor marking well. Joel led magnificently tapping the ball forward and providing run. Oscar was marking well. Cameron had a chance for a goal against the wind and scored a behind. Kye, Max and Cody backed themselves with strong play and Dylan and Hugo defended well using the boundary. It was great to hear the voices lift from players and Elliot was prominent in calling for the ball. Curtis did one beautiful daisy cutter pass to Elliot to hold up play as Sandy pressed. We did go to sleep for five minutes and Sandy scored two crucial long goals. At ¾ time the scores were Sandy 3.5.23 and we were 1.2.8  (8 tackles)  

The last quarter started with us loading up the attack in an attempt to win and Mac sent a 45 metre torp into attack, Joel took a mark 20 meters out and scored a vital goal and we  were in with a chance. Nicholas got to a few contests and managed to get a couple of kicks during this quarter and is improving each week. Dec copped a knock and Bobby was also out injured so we needed all of Cody’s running skills and Joel kicked a point. Oscar, Connor, Will, and Hugo defended well as the home team attacked hard but Sandy ran out winners 3.8-26 to the Saints 2.3-15. (9 tackles)

Elliot was courageous and won a coaches award, Cody won the best player and brick awards went to Will and Adam.